I wanted to know if the Catholic church is still involved with adoption of children? And does this include children from the outside of the US.

Secondly, I am aware of the Catholic position on abortion. But is there a current position on couples who are infertile? I suffered from infertility for years. Thanks be to God that I had the opportunity to have children. How does the Catholic church support those who are infertile.

Thanks!

-- Susan (susanlatte@aol.com), November 14, 2003

Answers

-- (top@top.top), November 15, 2003.

Hi, Susan.

With regard to the Church and infertility, it is permissable for a woman to use 'fertility drugs.' She should know, though, that these drugs sometimes result in multiple embryos (little babies) and she, knowing this, will be obligated to accept each and every baby, and not engage in "selective reduction" which is just a sweet sounding name for aborting babies she doesn't want.

It is not permissable for a woman to receive artificial insemination, or in vitro fertilization.

-- Regina (Regina712REMOVE@lycos.com), November 15, 2003.

Jmj
Hello, Susan.

If you contact the office of "Catholic Charities" in your diocese, I think that you'll probably find that it has adoption services -- working at least within the nation and possibly internationally.

Here is a typical diocesan CC Internet page for adoptions. (If you use www.google.com to search for ... "Catholic Charities" Adoption ... you will find others.)

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), November 16, 2003.