I see that he is the patron saint of lawyers and that's easy to understand, but don't understand why the adoption community has "adopted" him? My DH and I are adopting and I want to be able to understand the connection this man has to our journey...
132156
His mother died when he was quite young.  He was raised by another family until he was 13; after that, the local archbishop became his legal guardian until he became an adult.  That's probably why.\n\nHe is the patron saint of (among other people/things) adopted children.  \n\nBy the way, I had a baby at age 17 who I placed for adoption.  God bless you on your decision to adopt.
192289
Well considering that Julie from Boise had a message from Him in which she was told that she would bear His son on Earth (to be called Macaroni) I'm thinking male.\n\nBut, He is a deity after all, so why need to bother with fiddly decisions like gender?\n\nAlthough, I suppose the debate over gender could lead to the first great schism in the church?\n\nMaybe there could be a Council of Pasta-Roni?
40059
I don't have questions! You need to understand how difficult it is to prosecuted Child Abuse / Molestation Cases. All too often the Petifiles walk, so, if your new   man was charged and convicted, he propably did it! Why don't you research the history on the case? You cannot trust his word, you need to read for yourself the documented case from Police, CPS, Councilors, etc; I hope you wise up & take action before exposing your child(ren) to a monster!
302864
1st thing - I am adopted too! I have 2 siblings that were also adopted through catholic charities, but in NJ. I was adopted privately so my situation is a little different. I know my medical history, because I met my birth mother about 6 years ago and my full-bro & 2 half-bros that live with her. She is a wonderful person, who made the right decision and gave me a better life, were such good friends now.  \n\n * CAll Catholic charities - they can help you. They may not be able to tell you where you sibling are though - they need there permission. The best I could do is have letters put in there files incase they ever want to look for me. I'm pretty much stuck their - there's nothing else I can do - becasue I don't know there adopted names. I must say, I know not everyone has good expiences when searching for biological family - so be prepared for rejection, but dont take it personally - they dont even know you.
487071
Nope, He does't appreciate it! Jesus honored His mother, why shouldn't we? He said to imitate Him! Dishonoring His holy mother is not imitating Him! I don't get why they think we worship Mary when we tell them over and over again that we don't! \nWe pray to her because she is much closer to God than we are. If you can ask you friend to pray for you, why wouldn't you ask her to pray for you? She is the holiest person that ever lived!
14956
in my state its as simple as contacting an attorney to draw up any legal paper work your X signs the forms stateing that he gives all rights to you , thats it once its final with the courts you can then make arrangements for the adoption process . my sister is in a similar situation , if you where fighting him it would be a completely different story ,he is willing to do this ,, is almost the same as haveing a noncontested devorse, if you both agree then theres nothing to fight over .. call you court house , some states offer a legal aid program ,  and if you qualify thier service could be free , hope it all works out for you
256670
It hardly seems fair. One would have the right to expect the bio father to be chased up or tracked down for payments. That's very strange. In Australia I think that would only happen if he had legally adopted them. My ex brought my son up for 12yrs before we separated but never legally adopted him and even though we did have the first step of adoption done, ie a legal name change, he didn't have to pay a cent toward him because he denied him, and the proposed adoption. My son was devastated. In your situation I'd be seeking legal advice and see perhaps if there is or has been a legal precedence in relation to the situation. I hope your man is done havn kids...I know five is enough for me...lol
277149
Contact your county courthouse...prices vairy from state to state.  As far as having to adopt him for him to get your last name...no, he's already your baby, you don't need to adopt him...what name did your girlfriend have put on the birth certificate? If she put your last name on the birth certificate, then you don't need to change a thing...if not, then you need to go through the courts to get his last name changed to your last name provided both you and your girlfriend agree to it.  Good Luck.
388501
WELL, GO TO SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH  INDEX FIRST AND SEE IF THEIR STILL LIVING IF YOU HAVE  A NAME THAT IS.\n  WAS HE ADOPTED? ARE THE RECORDS SEALED?
79841
YES! YES! NO!\n\nI don't understand this witch hunt that seems to be going on against gays.  And that's what it is... they get one right taken away after another... after the 'ban of marriage' succeeded, now, people are going after their right to adopt children.  What's next?!  Their right to breathe our air?!\n\nThis is a huge hot spot with me. I'm not gay, but I believe in EVERYONEs rights.  They aren't criminals, they have a different life style, and they should not be punished for that.  I mean, they can't help the way they feel... that's just the way you are born.  And WHAT HARM is it doing anyone if they get married, or adopt children?  It's actually doing the adopted child a favor, they'll have a loving family.  A lot of times gay couples will adopt children that other (straight) couples won't adopt because they're too old, or have behavioral problems or what not.  Are we going to punish this child by making them NOT have a home until they are old enough to go off on our own, JUST so we can punish someone for being gay?\n\nAnd as far as I know, the children that they have would NOT be confused.  They'd be well adjusted, and learn to be more TOLERANT towards others who are different.\n\nI could go on for a while about this, but I won't.  I'm afraid to see what all the other answers will be though... sigh.\n\n(but I just submitted and looked at other responses and was so far pleasantly surprised.  Thanks guys!)
297269
These website explains it all...I hope it helps.\n\nhttp://home.earthlink.net/~rickpen16/catholicmarriages/index.html
60752
Alot depends on how old you are...the good thing about all this is when you are able to finally leave unlike their other children you will know how to take care of yourself and others and will have matured into a dependable adult which is a very valuble thing...instead of stress see it as a blessing for the above reasons...their other kids will most likly strugle through life and marry out of need and be unhappy most of their lives.....take this time to find out what it is God is preparing you for and do the best you can while asking God for strength, wisdom and percerverance....Hang in there kid life goes by quickly this is only for a short time....\n\nAs to the adoption part we are all God's adopted children if we accept salvation through Jesus Christ .....if its good enough for God it should be good enough for you and God makes no mistakes about where and when we are born it is all a part of His plan...You were no mistake so run with it and one day the whimpy kids you took care of will look to you for help and wisdom...\n\nOne last thought Christ Himself said that he came to serve not to be served...Sounds to me like you have a Godly life ahead of you.
10269
The new guy has obviously been influenced by the _da_Vinci_Code_ or other, similar works that posit that Jesus was married (most likely to Mary Magdalene), and likely had children through that union.\n\nThere are a couple verses in the gospels (depending on your translation - I'm looking at the New International Version) where Jesus is referred to as having brothers; I'd look specifically at Matthew 13:54-56, which says \n\n"54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55 "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"\n\nWhile scholars have argued that "brother" might actually mean "cousin" or "other close male relative", the text wouldn't directly support that.\n\nThe wife and children thing can't be disproved Biblically - but neither can it be proven.  Some take the absense of direct reference to a wife as proof, while say that any man referred to as a rabbi/teacher would need to be married to have that status (as per the culture of the time).  Either way, there isn't anything that can be used definitively either way.
424052
You don't say who made this request to the Coucil and in what circumstances.  It sounds as though the Council is being gently prodded to think things through and perhaps withdraw an action to recover what is owed on the grounds that the person is somewhat deranged or mentally handicapped.  Those hearing the case can't say such a thing outright, but they can drop loud hints to the effect that if a person isn't in a fit mental state to deal with his financial affairs, it is perhaps not a good thing to bring him to court, especially if he is arguing with deep conviction that he doesn't understand why he is being prosecuted and doesn't feel he owes anything.  Maybe now that we are not allowed to use Latin in court, "moral culpability" is the new "mens rea".
364214
I've read his post 3 times and can't see any mention of his religion. \nDo you think he doesn't know the laws in his country? Why do people feel compelled to point it out?\nIf he was Irish, would you all be saying "Catholics don't allow homosexuality"?\nLeave you preaching where it belongs, and that's not here!!!!
614054
I wish there was an easy answer to this one, but if there is, I haven't come across it. I'm going to try and answer it from what I personally believe to be a Biblical view, although I would hope that others might be able to agree with some of what I say, even if they don't like my solution..\n\nSelf acceptance and self forgiveness can be two of the biggest hurdles facing people in recovery from addiction, self hatred, abuse and rejection. \n\nSome secular responses to this are based on trying to convince the patient (for want of a better word) that he or she is not guilty of having transgressed or sinned in the first place - the problem with this is the patient does not subconsciously agree, he knows that there is absolute moral right, no matter what he might profess with his mouth via his conscious mind.\n\nAnother approach might be to try and convince someone that, OK, yes they did perform certain actions they weren't really to blame. I seem to remember hearing about Adam blaming Eve and Eve blaming the serpent ...\n\nI believe that the only true answer is provided in the loving arms of my Saviour, which are wide open in welcome as He promises me that there is no way He will cast me out or foresake me. He points me to the Father, Who is Love. Once I start experiencing for myself this awesome, divine love then other things start to become less important and I can, with the help of Holy Spirit, my Comforter, Guide and Mentor, start to see myself as God sees me: forgiven, accepted, valued, loved ... a son or daughter of God who is seated in a place of honour with my Big Brother, in heavenly places.\n\nThis is healing God's way. It is difficult and painful as well as cleansing and revitalising. \n\nPlease remember that Jesus was criticised by the religious bigots of His time for associating Himself with social outcasts. He took it as a badge of honour to be called the "friend of sinners and tax collectors," and proclaimed that He had "come not for those who were well, but for those who were in need of healing."\n\nI wish that I could say that you will find all churches as welcoming and helpful as they should be, but ask around, some of us like to try and help.\n\nPS Since I wrote the original response, I see that you've added more personal details. Try to get hold of "Rooted in God's Love" by Dale and Juanita Ryan (contact http://www.christianrecovery.com if you have difficulty finding a copy locally to you). This is a series of Scriptural meditations which demand that you join in by praying and writing down your own musings. I got my copy whilst on a teaching weekend with http://www.ellel.org.uk  Ellel Ministries operate worldwide and supply teaching material, residential courses and healing retreats to minister into your situation.\n\nYou may also find some of the teaching on http://www.malcolmsmith.org/home.asp useful. Malcolm has been around long enough to have ministered regularly with Smith Wigglesworth in St.Albans, England and is now based in Texas from where he runs a teaching ministry. I've sat under his ministry in church, conferences and Bible School.\n\nCan I re-emphasise the importance of finding a loving and accepting fellowship where you can get the spiritual guidance plus emotional and practical support and friendship that you need. I've never heard of a Vineyard Church that would fail to TRY and offer this. If there's one near you, check it out, it won't suit everybody but it's informality and welcome might be just right for you.
225062
peace and love to you and yours !! no bashing of anyone here - except unthinking uncaring people who bring children into this world and leave them to their own way because it is an inconvenience to their lifestyle... I'll stop now..before I get really worked up.... thanks to all who adopt !!