Abortion/Adoption Question

[Estefana]

Today in school were were discussing Abortion and one of the topics we were discussing was Abortion in cases of a child being born with special needs (I detest the word disabled) which sadly almsot my class except me supports.

However, it did get me wondering on what the Churches stance is on adopting out children with special needs. LIke if a woman is pregnant and finds out her child will be born with severe medical problems that she knows she can not deal with whether it be financially or because she already has several other children. Does the Church believe it is OK to give these babies life and to place them into the care of people who can provide for them and give them opportunties for life that the birth mother may not be able to do?

I know it is encouraged in situations of rape, but does the stance of the church differ in these cases?

 

[Kirley]

I have no idea on what the churches stance on it would b or a biblical perspective either but i personally dont think there would b nethin wrong with it. Most ppl who put their children up for adoption becuz they are unable to look after it (physically, emotionally or financially) so i dont c why it should b any different if the child will have special needs. it takes a lot to look afta a special needs child & if sumone feels incapable then i dont c why it should b a problem if the child goes to a 'betta' (lack of a betta word)home.

Estefana]I know it is encouraged in situations of rape

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Why is it encouraged for rape victims???

 

[Estefana]

I meant that keeping the child and giving it up for adoption in cases of rape is encouraged as opposed to aborting the child.

 

[AdJesumPerMariam]

I think anthing would be better than abortion.

 

[ZooMom]

It doesn't matter. There are no 'allowances' for taking a life. Yes, the Church most certainly encourages adoption if the birth mother does not want or cannot support her child. Abortion is never an option.


Peace be with you.

Sandy

 

[St_Joseph_Cupertino]

In our parish we sometimes pray the prayer for reverence of life. It explains that all life is precious. Read it and you will see how the Church feels about it. I really enjoy this prayer! It opened my eyes to all life

Almighty God, giver of all that is good, we thank You for the precious gift of human life:
- for life in the womb, coming from your creative power,
- for the life of children, making us glad with their freshness and promise,
- for the life of young people, hoping for a better world,
- for the life of people who are disabled, teaching us that every life has value,
- for the life of the elderly, witnessing to the ageless values of patience and wisdom.
Like Blessed Mary, may we always say "YES" to Your gift. May we defend it and promote it from conception to its natural end. And bring us at last, O father, to the fullness of eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Peace in Christ!!

 

[Maggie893]

The Church will always support adoption over abortion. Abortion never being ok.


One thing I would add however is that the whole concept of God's grace must be realized. The Church doesn't allow abortion because God chooses life for all. God would not allow a life to come into the world to parents that He is not prepared to give the Grace necessary to handle the situation. Our understanding of our financial, emotional and physical readiness for children is limited. God knows exactly what our need is. Our biggest problem in society is that people reject God.
I realize that all people will not suddenly believe in God and respond to His grace but that doesn't negate the fact that He exists and provides the perfect grace for all situations. Do we trust Him in all things?

 

[Kirley]

I meant that keeping the child and giving it up for adoption in cases of rape is encouraged as opposed to aborting the child.

oki get that. Is it encouraged that the mother keep the baby in these situations at all?

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

The Church will always support adoption over abortion. Abortion never being ok.


One thing I would add however is that the whole concept of God's grace must be realized. The Church doesn't allow abortion because God chooses life for all. God would not allow a life to come into the world to parents that He is not prepared to give the Grace necessary to handle the situation. Our understanding of our financial, emotional and physical readiness for children is limited. God knows exactly what our need is. Our biggest problem in society is that people reject God.
I realize that all people will not suddenly believe in God and respond to His grace but that doesn't negate the fact that He exists and provides the perfect grace for all situations. Do we trust Him in all things?

Of course that grace might be that the birth mother is willing to give up her child for adoption to a couple who has desperatly sought to have children....

Usually trusting Him in all things requires sacrifice- it might be a huge sacrifice for a birth mother to give up her child for adoption- and yet still be the right thing for her to do. I don't see how giving a child up for adoption somehow negates seeking the will of God - it might be just what He has asked of someone.

 

[DJ B.K.]

Of course that grace might be that the birth mother is willing to give up her child for adoption to a couple who has desperatly sought to have children....

Usually trusting Him in all things requires sacrifice- it might be a huge sacrifice for a birth mother to give up her child for adoption- and yet still be the right thing for her to do. I don't see how giving a child up for adoption somehow negates seeking the will of God - it might be just what He has asked of someone.

My thoughts too, altough we still should seriously think over giving up a child for adoption still.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

My thoughts too, altough we still should seriously think over giving up a child for adoption still.

I don't think it would be possible to make such a decision lightly...

 

[ZooMom]

I absolutely agree, Shannon. I cannot imagine that it is ever easy for someone to give a child up, and it would be even harder for someone who truly had to set aside their own feelings to do the right thing for the baby without consideration for themselves. I think it's an heroic thing to do, considering the abortion alternative. I can't imagine anything more selfless and sacrificing.


Peace be with you.

Sandy

 

[Maggie893]

Of course that grace might be that the birth mother is willing to give up her child for adoption to a couple who has desperatly sought to have children....

Usually trusting Him in all things requires sacrifice- it might be a huge sacrifice for a birth mother to give up her child for adoption- and yet still be the right thing for her to do. I don't see how giving a child up for adoption somehow negates seeking the will of God - it might be just what He has asked of someone.

Oh Shannon, I don't disagree with you at all. I do believe that in all things we seek God's will and I certainly believe that He is glorified in a sacrifice of our own desire for the betterment of another. In desperation for answers many women choose abortion because they don't think they can handle the alternatives. Really my only point was to clarify that with God all things are possible. I was not in anyway trying to condemn anyone who gives a child to adoption in the hopes of the betterment of that child. Sorry if that came out that way.

 

[ShannonMcCatholic]

Oh Shannon, I don't disagree with you at all. I do believe that in all things we seek God's will and I certainly believe that He is glorified in a sacrifice of our own desire for the betterment of another. In desperation for answers many women choose abortion because they don't think they can handle the alternatives. Really my only point was to clarify that with God all things are possible. I was not in anyway trying to condemn anyone who gives a child to adoption in the hopes of the betterment of that child. Sorry if that came out that way.

I am sorry to be so sensitive- I have actually met young women who wanted to give up their babies- but their moms or grand mom's wouldn't hear of it, because children "ought to stay in the family"-- and these young women then went and got an abortion instead. Yes, as you wrote, I think the key is to seek God's will, even if it is imperfectly....

 

[kspchemist]

Adoption is ALWAYS better than abortion. I personally don't think that there is any case that warrents an abortion. Even if the child has mental handicaps, it's not the end of the world. God loves all children. Jesus himself said for the little children to come unto me. If anyone out there has a chance to adopt please do so. It'll change the life of one child.

BTW my wife and I are in the process of adopting a little boy from Russia. Please keep us in your prayers.

 

[ZooMom]

That's awesome, ksp! Praying for you all!

 

[Maggie893]

I am sorry to be so sensitive- I have actually met young women who wanted to give up their babies- but their moms or grand mom's wouldn't hear of it, because children "ought to stay in the family"-- and these young women then went and got an abortion instead. Yes, as you wrote, I think the key is to seek God's will, even if it is imperfectly....

You aren't being overly sensitive, I was being too simplistic. I recognize that in all things God will give the Grace if we seek it. We are limited, He is not. Unfortunately at the point of abortion a woman's sight is seldom on God but on self. You were right to say that a birth mother's decision to give her child to those who seek to have children is a great sacrifice.

 

[geocajun]

Today in school were were discussing Abortion and one of the topics we were discussing was Abortion in cases of a child being born with special needs (I detest the word disabled) which sadly almsot my class except me supports.

I would love to know what the opinion of your teacher was, which no doubt was asserted as the moral right.

However, it did get me wondering on what the Churches stance is on adopting out children with special needs. LIke if a woman is pregnant and finds out her child will be born with severe medical problems that she knows she can not deal with whether it be financially or because she already has several other children. Does the Church believe it is OK to give these babies life and to place them into the care of people who can provide for them and give them opportunties for life that the birth mother may not be able to do?

Esefana, I think the problem here, is that you have a framed the question around the idea that it is the mother and father who "Give the baby life" which is incorrect.
The question, properly framed would be "Does the Church believe it is OK to continue to cooperate with God, who has already given the baby life?"
I think once you ask the question properly, you can see the answer plainly.
Which of course, is that the Church holds all life, which is a gift from God, as something sacred, and always stands against any attempt to dimish the value of any persons life.

I know it is encouraged in situations of rape, but does the stance of the church differ in these cases?

What is encouraged in situations of rape? there is never a morally good reason to have an abortion.

 

[Kirley]

Is it encouraged in the catholic church(or any other church for that matter) that a girl keep her baby instead of putting it up for adoption if she has been raped??

 

[Jamme]

My parents were very young and my mum was very thin when they got pregnant. The doctor told them to abort me because I wouldnt survive. But they changed doctors and I am here 27 years later