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Posted by David (Member # 1) on :

Christian adoption group allows Catholics to adopt

By Ed Ronco
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- The Mississippi office of a West Michigan-based Christian adoption agency has changed its policy and will allow Catholic families to adopt.

Earlier this month, the Mississippi branch of Bethany Christian Services rejected an adoption request by the Stedman family of Jackson, Miss., saying their Catholic faith conflicted with the organization's "Statement of Faith."

But on Tuesday, the Board of Directors for Bethany's Mississippi operation voted unanimously to include Catholic families in its programs.

Bethany, in operation since 1944, is based on Grand Rapids' Northeast Side.

All families who wish to adopt must sign a statement agreeing to its beliefs. But each of its 32 state operations are independent subsidiaries, so the national office allows "some discretion on some issues," President and CEO Glenn De Mots said last week.

The meeting in Mississippi came after Bethany's national board met earlier in the day in Grand Rapids.

At that meeting, national officials said all Bethany offices would comply with the practice of allowing Catholic families to adopt.

The national board's statement was conveyed to Mississippi, but that state's board probably would have reached the same decision with or without input from Grand Rapids, De Mots said Wednesday.

"We are sorry for offending families and all partners of Bethany, and regret any pain and hurt caused by this issue," he said in a statement.

While Mary Haarman, spokesperson for the Diocese of Grand Rapids, didn't say if West Michigan's Catholic leaders were troubled by the original Mississippi policy, she said they "appreciate the immediacy" Bethany took in addressing the issue.

Last year, 16 percent of Bethany's adoptions nationwide were with Catholic families.

The Stedmans, of Jackson, Miss., who expressed disappointment when denied last week, said in a statement they were pleased with their local board's decision.

"Bethany does admirable work, and we can now be supportive of this pro-life ministry," Robert Stedman said.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-23/112195722940260.xml&coll=6

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Why do they call themselves Christian? If they are not!

Just have a secular adoption group, if you are not going to have Christian values.

David

Posted by TEXASGRANDMA (Member # 847) on :

Kind of like Billy Graham sending Catholics and Jews who come up to be saved back to Catholic Churches and Synagogues. Does make a person wonder what people are thinking. There was a report of a "Christian" dating club excepting non-Christians as members. PC is become more important than God's work.
betty

Posted by BrazilianMommy (Member # 4787) on :

Why do they want to be part of anyway? I mean, why don't they create their own groups? It just to push isn't it? So , if they are not accept , they can fight agaist calling it 'discrimination'. If categories can be mixed, why categorize in the first place? It misses the point. Instead of calling Christians, lets be more clear calling it 'Protestants' [Smile]

Lots won't like but only the protestants will accept this title [Wink]