Contact: Stephen Phelan, Human Life International, 540-622-5270, SPhelan@hli.org  

FRONT ROYAL, Va., June 9, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro-Carámbula, interim president of Human Life International, today praised the bishops of Springfield, Peoria and Joliet for initiating legal action against the State of Illinois for its unconstitutional and anti-religious threats to shut down Catholic adoption agencies.

"Bishops Thomas John Paprocki, Daniel R. Jenky, and Robert Daniel Conlon, are to be congratulated for their demonstration of courage in standing up to the anti-religious oppression of the State of Illinois," said Monsignor Barreiro. "Catholic Charities has an excellent track record of placing children in secure and loving households, and it is shameful that Illinois would threaten to shut down such a vital service in deference to a radical ideological agenda."

"Businesses and residents are flying out of Illinois due to the oppressive tax regime and mismanagement of the Illinois state government. And now they want to add religious attacks to their list of offenses?" said Monsignor Barreiro. "The Catholic Church has often affirmed that here is no 'right to adopt.' It is a privilege and responsibility to be granted only to those married couples who can demonstrate, through their loving, permanent commitment to each other, their ability to make a lifetime commitment to raising a child in the best environment possible."

"May God bless these shepherds, their flocks and their work, and continue to grant them strength as they weather the storm which will certainly follow their bold leadership," said Monsignor Barreiro. "We gladly welcome this clear, public stance for truth, religious freedom, and for children."

About HLI: Human Life International: Pro-Life Missionaries to the World. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world's largest international pro-life organization and has affiliates and associates in over 100 countries on six continents. www.hli.org