Gay adoptions.
In the Letters for the May 5 issue, Fr. Frank O'Donnell asks what we would tell a 10-year-old who has been adopted by a male couple and asks, "Where's Mommy?"First of all, if the child has not noticed the absence of a female parent before the age of 10, I would suggest testing for mental capacity. But more important, we would answer the question in the same way all questions of children should be answered: with the truth, enveloped in love, at the level that the child is able to understand. Children are quite capable of understanding the difference between biological birth and being chosen to be part of a family. The absence of a female parent can be the result of any number of circumstances and is not limited to children being parented by a male couple.
ELIZABETH M. FAHEY
Springfield, Mo.
Most states, including Florida, allow gays and lesbians to be foster parents. Imagine that! Gays and lesbians are allowed to foster children but in Florida they are not allowed to adopt them. Gays and lesbians have enough love to foster a child, just not enough to become their parents. The stand of the church makes no more sense than that of my home state.
A loving permanent environment is better for a child than the uncertainty of foster care. Foster parents do a wonderful job. However, their job is meant to be temporary. My wife and I are adoptive parents. We know firsthand the desperate needs of these children. I have an adoption support and advocacy ministry in the Orlando diocese, and I volunteer my time helping to find permanent families. The most important thing is finding loving families who will welcome the stranger into their home, not following a political or social agenda.
HOWARD MOON
Candler, Fla.
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| Title Annotation: | LETTERS |
|---|---|
| Author: | Fahey, Elizabeth M.; Moon, Howard |
| Publication: | National Catholic Reporter |
| Article Type: | Letter to the editor |
| Date: | May 19, 2006 |
| Words: | 302 |
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| Next Article: | Right-to-life issues. |