Single parent adoption?

[fbellman]

Hi everyone,

I have a question on the Church’s stance on single parent adoption. I have talked with a few religious authorities who have given me the following answers:

1. There are two lifestyles a Catholic can choose: a life dedicated to one’s spouse (marriage) or a celibate life dedicated to God. A single person who DOES NOT WISH TO BE MARRIED is rejecting both of these lifestyles, and thus is wrong in wanting to adopt a child. A child is a GIFT from God and a result of the procreative and unitive act of sex, not a RIGHT. So, one is wrong to adopt a child if one is simply thinking of a child as a right, not as a gift.
2. The Church would have no problems with single parent adoption. After all, it is better for a child to have a single parent than no parents at all. Still, the ideal family consists of a mother, father, and child.
3. There have been instances of even bishops and priests adopting children; i.e. they travelled across the seas and returned having adopted a child. This is right in the Church’s eyes because it is saving a child from a less-than desireable, poor, or unsafe situation.

Thank you for any help you can provide. It would be even more helpful if you could help me locate some documents (possibly papal writings?) that deal with this topic!

Peace

 

[LSK]

I have also thought about adopting a child. I am a widow and no one is interested in having a relationship with me. However, I was told by a Catholic Adoption Agency that, while they would certainly welcome my application, they would give top priority to two parent families.

I understand that, and I appreciate it. I think, like the example of #2, that if a child needs a parent one parent is better than none…but the ideal situation is a two parent family.