Adoption / Civil Unions

[Elzee]

I understand that Catholic Charities has to adhere to the rules of the Catholic Church hence why they will not let homosexual couples, or unmarried heterosexual couples. But what I’m confused by is why are single people OK to adopt? Is it simply because of the state of mortal sin these pairs are living in? It’s not contingent on people who should be having kinds (aka only married couples). And, not to derail the topic, but are there other mortal sins that stop Catholic Charities from letting someone adopt?

I think this is a good question. Are there other mortal sins that keep CC from letting someone adopt? My guess is yes, since I can’t imagine they would let polygamists adopt or someone who is known to abuse alcohol adppt. I would think the background checking is quite extensive.

Another question I often get that I think is difficult to answer in a way as to still communicate the truth but not close the door on discussions is: if the gay couple are both loving, caring people, why would the Church not want to place a child in a loving home? In essence - why are gay people automatically ruled out as incapable of being good parents?

 

[markomalley]

I think this is a good question. Are there other mortal sins that keep CC from letting someone adopt? My guess is yes, since I can’t imagine they would let polygamists adopt or someone who is known to abuse alcohol adppt. I would think the background checking is quite extensive.

Another question I often get that I think is difficult to answer in a way as to still communicate the truth but not close the door on discussions is: if the gay couple are both loving, caring people, why would the Church not want to place a child in a loving home? In essence - why are gay people automatically ruled out as incapable of being good parents?

See post 8

 

[Elzee]

See post 8

I love that post and the wording is great (see below). It’s my style - direct and to the point, but it would be nice to be able to phrase it a bit differently. The wording below, while accurate (obviously) - would tend to shut down discussions quickly. I’m trying to work on conveying these type of messages in a theolgically correct way, but also in a way that keeps the conversation going. I think the wording below, if I quoted it, would shut things down pretty quickly.

(what does ‘ecclesiastical sanction’ mean, by the way - does that mean placing children with gay parents would imply the church approves of the relationship?)

Also …is there a Church document that deals solely with the gay adoption issue (more than what is quoted in the links in post 8?)

*Allowing the adoption of children by those with deep-seated homosexual tendencies, particularly those who have fallen into this deception so deeply as to simulate marriage with a “partner”, would be granting that immoral behavior ecclesiastical sanction. *

 

[markomalley]

I love that post and the wording is great (see below). It’s my style - direct and to the point, but it would be nice to be able to phrase it a bit differently. The wording below, while accurate (obviously) - would tend to shut down discussions quickly. I’m trying to work on conveying these type of messages in a theolgically correct way, but also in a way that keeps the conversation going. I think the wording below, if I quoted it, would shut things down pretty quickly.

(what does ‘ecclesiastical sanction’ mean, by the way - does that mean placing children with gay parents would imply the church approves of the relationship?)

Yup. It would be that the Church, in some way or another, would be admitting that the relationship was legitimate.

Also …is there a Church document that deals solely with the gay adoption issue (more than what is quoted in the links in post 8?)

Not to my knowledge. I think the 2003 document pretty well covers it, as a function of the disapproval of marriage.

 

[sw85]

Please help me understand…what is the theological reason for the Church not supporting adoption by gay couples in a legal civil union? Is this a position Catholics are obliged to be in communion with? I know gay marriage is one of the 5 non-negotiables…what about gay adoption?

I’m in a discussion with a friend of mine who is upset with Catholic Charities for not providing gay adoption services for him and his civil union partner and would appreciate any help you all can give me.

The prohibition on gay adoption stems from the same place as the prohibition on gay “marriage”: the prohibition on gay sex.

It is a mortal sin and an affront to the natural order of being. Raising a child in such an environment would scandalize the child and the wider society and deaden the consciences of both child and parent.

 

[sw85]

I’ll never understand why people condemn homosexual couples for having sex outside of marriage then turn around and refuse them the ability to get married.

It is a well known fact that children growing up in heterosexual households - even households that are strongly against homosexuality - can end up being homosexual (consistently about 10% of the population.) The much touted Schumm study has serious flaws.

We condemn it because we condemn homosexual sex in general. It is ALWAYS and EVERYWHERE illicit. It’s right there in the Bible, in the Catechism, and in the works of the Aristotelian-Thomist ethical tradition. The prohibition on it arises from human nature itself.

It has nothing to do with the etiology of homosexuality – nothing whatsoever.

 

[pilots13]

What if a single homosexual tried to adopt a child? What if a single heterosexual adopted a child, and then a few months later moved in with their girl/boy friend?

 

[Elzee]

What if a single homosexual tried to adopt a child? What if a single heterosexual adopted a child, and then a few months later moved in with their girl/boy friend?

Someone correct me if I’m wrong…

I’m assuming, based on logic…if the person were openly living a homosexual life-style, Catholic Charities would not be able to help them adopt, just as they wouldn’t assist a single heterosexual person with adoption who was openly living a sexually active life-style.

In the latter case, since the adoption has been completed, then I think it is out of CC’s hands. Just as a it would be if a heterosexual couple adopted, got divorced years later, and one of the couples moved in with a same-sex partner and the child went with that parent.

But those are just my assumptions…anyone know for sure?

 

[Buck_Crosswhite]

Homosexual men adopt boys. Homosexual women adopt girls. Why? So they can have sex with them. It’s really just that simple.

 

[pilots13]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong…

I’m assuming, based on logic…if the person were openly living a homosexual life-style, Catholic Charities would not be able to help them adopt, just as they wouldn’t assist a single heterosexual person with adoption who was openly living a sexually active life-style.

In the latter case, since the adoption has been completed, then I think it is out of CC’s hands. Just as a it would be if a heterosexual couple adopted, got divorced years later, and one of the couples moved in with a same-sex partner and the child went with that parent.

But those are just my assumptions…anyone know for sure?

But if someone identifies themselves as homosexual, it doesn’t mean they are living that lifestyle. If it’s the acts of homosexuality that are the sin, then is it not just as bad for a single heterosexual who is sleeping around to come in and try adopting a child?

 

[Buck_Crosswhite]

But if someone identifies themselves as homosexual, it doesn’t mean they are living that lifestyle. If it’s the acts of homosexuality that are the sin, then is it not just as bad for a single heterosexual who is sleeping around to come in and try adopting a child?

Why would anyone identify himself as a homosexual if he has never committed a homosexual act?

 

[Buck_Crosswhite]

Now that I think about it. Why would a person call himself a murderer if he has never committed murder, or a liar if he never lies, or a fornicator if he never fornicates even though he is strongly attracted to women.
I think it’s kind of stupid to call a man a homosexual and then say that he is chaste.

 

[Dakota_Roberts]

Homosexual men adopt boys. Homosexual women adopt girls. Why? So they can have sex with them. It’s really just that simple.

Surely you can’t be serious…

Or perhaps it could be that men and women are different psychologically, how exactly is a man supposed to know what his daughter is going through as a teenager, he was never a teenage girl so he can’t exactly provide that much advice on “women issues” like menstruation

Now that I think about it. Why would a person call himself a murderer if he has never committed murder, or a liar if he never lies, or a fornicator if he never fornicates even though he is strongly attracted to women.
I think it’s kind of stupid to call a man a homosexual and then say that he is chaste.

Have you ever actually read the Catechism section?

 

[Buck_Crosswhite]

Surely you can’t be serious…

Or perhaps it could be that men and women are different psychologically, how exactly is a man supposed to know what his daughter is going through as a teenager, he was never a teenage girl so he can’t exactly provide that much advice on “women issues” like menstruation

Have you ever actually read the Catechism section?

Of course.

 

[pilots13]

Now that I think about it. Why would a person call himself a murderer if he has never committed murder, or a liar if he never lies, or a fornicator if he never fornicates even though he is strongly attracted to women.
I think it’s kind of stupid to call a man a homosexual and then say that he is chaste.

I called myself a heterosexual long before I ever had sex.

 

[Elzee]

But if someone identifies themselves as homosexual, it doesn’t mean they are living that lifestyle. If it’s the acts of homosexuality that are the sin, then is it not just as bad for a single heterosexual who is sleeping around to come in and try adopting a child?

That’s what I mean to clarify by saying ‘openly living a homosexual lifestyle’ - they were acting on their same-sex attraction as opposed to living a chaste life.