The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., will no longer provide foster care services because of the city's gay marriage law.

After 80 years of foster care services, Catholic Charities has transferred its entire program to the non-profit National Center for Children and Families. The program includes 43 children, 35 families and seven staff members.

A same-sex marriage law soon to take effect in the nation's capital could require the charity to let gay couples serve as foster parents. Officials for the organization said that doing so would violate church teaching on homosexuality.