New Horizons Adoption Agency and the Sri Lankan "Baby Shop" UPDATED

New Horizons Adoption Agency  is a member of JCICS and Christian Alliance for Orphans. PoundPupLegacy has a file here. They place children from Uganda, Ukraine, Sri Lanka and Haiti.

Now, Prem Niwasa orphanage run by the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity in Moratuwa is under investigation. Sri Lanka is a Hague Convention country. Four children were adopted to the US in FY2011.

According to Baby Shop In Rawatawatte [The Sunday Leader 11/27/11 by Ranee Mohamed], “The couple from America who were waiting for their turn at the Children’s Home in Rawatawatte were not at fault.

They wanted a baby with all their heart and they had gone through the correct process to get a child by contacting a ‘licenced adoption agency.’

They also had a receipt with them from an adoption agency called the New Horizon Adoption Agency which stated that they had paid U.S. dollars ten thousand. The adoption agency had a local representative here in Sri Lanka. However, disturbing is the fact the Sri Lankan representative received U.S. dollars 6,000; and the child was given from a home called Prem Niwasa which also includes the words Missionaries of Charity…

There were several people lined up when officials of the National Child Protection Authority, led by the Chairperson herself swooped in on Children’s Home Prem Niwasa in Rawathawatte on Wednesday, November 23 around 11 a.m. . The allegations were that this children’s home was playing ‘stork’ to many couples – at a price.

“At the time of our visit there were several couples with money in hand. We received two telephone calls on our hotline 1929 about this Home. But we decided to take action when a questionable incident occurred last week…” said an official of the National Child Protection Authority.

On Monday, an underprivileged mother and grandmother had visited the Colombo South Teaching Hospital seeking treatment for their infant. As the duo had no means and was not able to either care nor support the ailing child, a member of the staff of the hospital had suggested that the child be kept in an orphanage.

Within hours the mother and grandmother had returned – this time without the child. When an inquiry was made, they had told a member of the hospital staff that they were able to hand over the child – without giving or getting any documentation.

Spurred by telephone calls to their hotline, rumours and now this episode, officials of the NCPA who walked into the Home were in for more discoveries.

The Home had mothers as young as fourteen and sixteen who had ‘just delivered.’ The trend had been that the mothers deliver babies in the privacy of this Children’s Home and then leave their babies behind to lead lives as single women. On that Wednesday the Home had twelve crying new born babies.

While sheltering them from a hostile and ridiculing society and being a great service to women in distress, the question being asked is what happens to the babies thereafter? Who takes them? How…or more precisely for how much?

It is also reported that approximately 75 babies had been ‘given away’ – at a cost.

Officials of the NCPA studying the books found that all the children were not included in their books of registration; that there were other children in addition to those handed over to the Home by probation authorities. They also discovered that infants were not accounted for at all and no one knew what happened to the children thereafter, who took them and how much was paid – all these facts were not written down on paper or books.

“Upon this discovery, our Chairperson asked us to take an immediate headcount of all the children in the home. There were more children in the Home than in the books..” said the official.

Also perplexing was the fact that there was a considerable number of disabled or special children. Even more bewildering was the trend that there was a greater demand to adopt these ‘disabled or special’ children.

Women from the north and east appearing at the Home to deliver babies only to leave them behind was also of concern to the NCPA.

Meanwhile, the New Horizons Adoption Agency lists four countries in their international adoptions section. They are Ukraine, Uganda, Liberia and Sri Lanka. The details are that Children of all ages are available that their ethnic background is Singhalese or Tamil and that sibling groups and children with special needs are available.

“Cannot accept the way this Home was being run,” Anoma Dissanayake, Chairperson NCPA.

When The Sunday Leader contacted Anoma Dissanayake, the Chairperson of the NCPA, she said that the NCPA cannot accept the way this Home was being run. “When I visited this Home with our team we found several discrepancies. As a registered Children’s Home there should have been some procedure. Also, if disabled or special children are being kept, there should have been a proper registration system,” said Dissanayake.

“If under-aged ‘mothers’ were delivering babies, then action ought to have been taken against the perpetrators. We also cannot accept this kind of sale of children,” Dissanayake said.”

Matron Arrested

According to Orphanage Matron Arrested [The Sunday Leader 11/27/11 by Ranee Muhamed], “The matron of Prem Nivasa, a children’s home in Moratuwa which is embroiled in a controversy over the alleged sale of children was arrested Friday night (Nov 25) by a team of police officials. The matron, a missionary of Indian origin was produced before a Magistrate and was later remanded.

Police on Friday night also took an under-aged pregnant girl and two other females from the home and placed them in the custody of another home in the area.

“The matron of this home has been remanded till December 1. Steps are also being taken to impound her passport,” said the Police Media Spokesperson Ajith Rohana when contacted by The Sunday Leader yesterday.”

“The case against Prem Nivasa working on the theme – missionaries of charity – heightened when it was found to be linked to an adoption agency which advertised children from Ukraine, Liberia, Uganda and Sri Lanka. The going rate for a child, it was discovered through payment receipts, is U.S. Dollars 10,000.

When the Sunday Leader contacted Prem Nivasa Saturday morning for their side of the story, a member of the staff who answered the phone said that they were getting ready for a religious gathering and were unable to comment.”

According to Indian nun detained over child abuse  [Lanka News Web 11/27/11], “A court in Sri Lanka has ordered to detain a head of a children’s home where over 70 pregnant mothers and young children were found, police said.

Response of the Orphanage

According to Sri Lanka: Police Raid Church-Run Orphanage [UCAN 11/27], “Police this week conducted a raid on a Catholic Church-run orphanage in Colombo archdiocese on suspicion that the facility was engaged in child trafficking, according to an official with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

Anoma Dissanayake, chairperson of the NCPA, accompanied police on November 23 to the Prem Niwasa orphanage run by the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity in Moratuwa after receiving an anonymous tip via an emergency hotline.

“Investigations are [being conducted] on [alleged] illegal activities at this … orphanage,” said Dissanayake.

“A few foreigners were present at the time of inspection. Police are conducting an investigation to ascertain whether they were present to take away children housed at the orphanage.”

Police took statements from several officials and pregnant mothers at the home, where 75 children, 20 pregnant women and 12 new mothers were in residence at the time of the raid.

Sister Mary Elisha, head of the Prem Niwasa orphanage, denied any wrongdoing at the facility and added that she was concerned about bad publicity in the local media by the spreading of false information about the Church-run orphanage.

“NCPA officials, police officers and media groups rushed to our facility, investigated and cross-examined unwed mothers,” she said.

“[They] took many documents belonging to our home, including registration books and files, for further investigation. Although authorities did not remove even one child from the orphanage, some media groups published that NCPA had taken our children into custody.”

She added: “We have never been involved with child trafficking. It is against our faith. It is our mission to care for children and unwed mothers.”

A 14-year-old unwed mother who gave birth to a child on November 2, said without the assistance of the nuns at the orphanage, she would have had nowhere to turn.

“My cousin raped me and I became pregnant. I will continue my studies and want to be a doctor to serve the people,” she said.

Police have increased security at the orphanage, which is officially registered with the government, and are keeping records of all who visit the facilities.”

According to Church official rejects baby farm claim  [Sri Lanka Mirror 11/25/11], “A church official has rejected claims that a baby farm had existed at ‘Prem Nivasa’ children’s home at Rawatawatte in Moratuwa.

Fr. Tyronne Perera, in charge of Rawatawatte, said media reports to that effect were incorrect.

He said the place looks after, irrespective of religious and other differences, pregnant women, who had wanted to have abortions.

He said none of the children were sold, adding that adoptions are allowed with parents’ consent and through court proceedings only.

According to Fr. Perera, the caretaker of the home is Sister Mary Elisa, born in Culcutta, India.

The property at No; 22, Rawatawatte, owned by one Dr. Muthukumarana, was donated to the Catholic mission called Mother Theresa initially to help children, and later helpless pregnant women were looked after there, said Fr. Perera.

The mission has seven more such places in the country – Shanthi in Matara, Apeksha in Galle, Daya in Kandy, Meth in Kurunegala, Karuna in Kurunegala, Anpaham in Vavuniya and Ataithillam in Jaffna.

Meanwhile, the National Child Protection Authority, assisted by the CID, is investigating the children’s home at Rawatawatte.

NCPA chairperson Anoma Dissanayake said the place had 70 children during a raid, although records mention only 26 children given to its care through courts.
Several pregnant women had also been found there, and according to reports, once they give birth they leave their children at the children’s home.”

According to the  Archdiocese of Colombo on November 27, 2011, “Very Rev. Sr.Prema MC, Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Charity ( Mother Teresa’s Sisters ) arrived today afternoon, 27th Nov.in Sri Lanka, having heard that one of her Sisters, Sr. Eliza had been arrested by the Police and put her in the Weliikada Prisons. His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo received her at the Katunayake airport. His Eminence conveyed that the Sri Lankan Catholic Church is deeply concerned about the arrest of Rev. Sr. Mary Eliza and the way National Child Protection Authority and the Police has acted to find out information about “Prem Nivesa”.

There are nearly 760 Convents with 5040 Rev.Sisters of Mother Teresa serving in the whole world. Rev. Sr. Mary Eliza is first MC Sister to be imprisoned in the whole world, since Blessed Mother Teresa started the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of Charity, serving poorest of the poor.

Thereafter Mother Prema together with several other MC Sisters,Very Rev. Fr. Ivan Perera and myself visited Rev. Sr. Eliza in Welikada prisons.Mother Prema spoke to Sr.Eliza, and asked where she was taken in a van on Friday the 25th November, when she was arrested at “Prem Nivasa”.

Sr. Eliza. an Indian Sister, was not aware where she was taken in the middle of the night. and told Mother Prema that they took her to a judge in Wennappuwa, even though the. “Prem Nivesa ” is at Rawathawatta. Mother Prema and several other Sisters spoke to Sr.Eliza, who convinced them that she is encouraged to face such persecutions with the grace of God and with the blessings from Blessed Mother Teresa.

The Commissioner for Prisons received Mother Prema at the entrance and accompanied her and the other Rev. Sisters and granted permission to take some for food Sr.Eliza.

A team headed by Anoma Dissanayake, Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority , including Police officers of the Authority had surrounded the ” Prem Nivesa ” at Moratuwa, of the Missionary Sisters of Blessed Mother Teresa on 23rd November 2011 to investigate into the children and mothers being looked after by the Rev. Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.

On Friday night around 11.00 pm, some police officers had arrested the superior of the Convent, Rev. Sr. Mary Eliza, an Indian MC Sister and had taken two other Rev. Sisters to the house of a judge in Ja-ela. In Jaela, Sr. Eliza had been put into another vehicle, while two other Rev. Sisters had been put into another vehicle and had taken them to Wennappuwa area, saying that the judge has gone to her ancestral home at Wennappuwa. Convent vehicle which was following the other vehicle lost the sight of the vehicle since it was moving on different routes. There was no time even to send a lawyer to speak on behalf of the arrested Indian Sister, who was not given a charge-sheet by the police. While Sr. Eliza was imprisoned at Welikada prisons, other two Sisters were sent back to the Convent..

Very Rev. Sr. Johannes MC, Provincial of the Missionary Sisters in Sri Lanka, said that the Department of Probation and Child Care Services had been closely working with them to take care of the children and also have received relevant permission of the Department of Probation to look after these children. National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) is an independent body that functions under the Office of the President. The Department of Probation and Child Care Services which works under the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare.

The CID officers and Media went to “Prem Nivasa” on suspicion that they are engaged in child trafficking after receiving an anonymous tip via an emergency hotline.Some media reported that the Sisters have been selling children and one news paper published an article accusing the Rev. Sisters of selling the future of the country to foreigners for few thousand rupees. Through that article the writer is trying arouse the feelings and anger of the ordinary People.

Very Rev. Sr. Johannes totally and categorically deny it and said ” We never involve in selling these precious lives of the children and never take money for any of our work. According to the laws of the country, children are given for adoption only through a legal procedure, but never sell their lives”.

Rev. Sr. Mary Eliza is in Welikada prison at the moment.She had put into the common apartment and the Sisters who went to see her today had asked permission to bring her food, which Prison authority had refused. ” Thousands of people are praying for justice and truth together with thousands of Missionary Sisters around the world.

Sr.Eliza will be produced before the Magistrate Courts No.08 at Hultsdorp, Colombo on Monday, 28th November 2011. ”

Update: This update sheds light on the Orphanage operations, but not on New Horizons Adoption Agency and the missing facilitator and the large amount of money that was allowed to change hands within the orphanage.

“As the NCPA and the Criminal Investigations Department continue their investigations, mystery surrounds the identity of the local counterpart of the foreign adoption agency to whom a part of the payment of U.S. dollars ten thousand is made. Meanwhile, international media described the arrest of Sister Eliza ‘who runs a home for unwed mothers as one that is surrounded by confusion.’ Representatives of the Missionaries of Charity said that they do not receive a cent for their services. On the contrary, a fourth vow taken by the Mother Teresa’s congregation is to give wholehearted service to the poorest of the poor.

In search for the other side of the story to our article last week titled ‘Baby Shop in Rawatawatte’ in which we reported the raid on Prem Niwasa carried out by the National Child Protection Authority; this writer met with representatives of the Catholic Archdiocese and representatives of Mother Theresa’s nuns on Wednesday at the Bishop’s House.

Among those present were Father Ivan Perera, Episcopal Vicar of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Father Benedict Joseph, Media Spokesman for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Father Noel Dias, Lecturer, Sri Lanka Law College, Sr. Mary Johannes, Regional Superior of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s Congregation), Sr. Mary Nicolette – In Charge of the Home for the Dying Destitute in Mutwal, Colombo 15, Missionaries of Charity and Sr. Nilanthi from Caritas.

Dressed in white, with a single blue lining – the smiling missionary sisters of charity – Mother Theresa’s sisters – did not have anger, anxiety or fear in their hearts.

“Missionaries of Charity do not deal with money – for God provides…” was the opening sentence by Father Ivan Perera, Episcopal Vicar of the Archdiocese of Colombo.

Introducing Sister Mary Johannes, Regional Superior of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s Congregation), Father Ivan said that Sister Johannes could not visit the funeral of her own mother as she was in service.

“Normal people would not understand how these sisters manage. They are not supposed to collect money for their work and they never do, they do not have fundraisers. All our services are free. We do not take a single cent for services – all free. A normal person will not understand this. Sisters depend solely on divine providence. They do not collect funds, they get enough to carry out their charitable work and they depend on God to provide,” said Father Ivan.

[This is not about “normal” people’s understanding God’s providence, but instead about not following regulations. You do need to operate within local law with regards to bookkeeping and adoption operations.]

“We do not expect people to understand. But Divine Providence is there. We do not have to bother, God will give….” said Father Ivan. As they sat unruffled, they answered the questions one by one…
“We are not aware of any payment being made to an Adoption Agency and we have not heard of the Horizon Adoption Agency. We do not deal with foreign adoptions. We deal with the Probation Officials who send people to us to bond with the children and spend time with them. Our priority has always been local adoption. A child is shown to four local couples and for these they have to fill forms. When a child is rejected by four local couples – it is thus noted on those forms, and the child is then considered for foreign adoption and that too by the Probation officials,” explained Sr. Mary Nicolette.

“A child is given through a court order and we always take the natural mother to the Probation Department at Nawala Road. Even there, we always tell the mother that she is free to take the child and go. It is with her consent and a letter from us stating that the child has been rejected by local couples that a child is given for foreign adoption through the court,” pointed out Sr. Mary Nicolette.
Sr. Mary Nicolette also went on to state that the home has 31 probation children, 28 home children and 12 infants without mothers and 11 children with mothers. She went on to state as the infants were with their mothers, they were not recorded in the books.

[These numbers differ from 70 children with 26 in care through the court on the books. WHICH children were being placed to the US couples?]

When asked about a receipt for US Dollars 10,000 paid to the Horizon Adoption Agency which was in the possession of an American couple who was present at the time of the raid; Sr. Mary Johannes, Regional Superior of the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s Congregation), said that they had never heard of such an Adoption Agency and that if such monies were paid, it was certainly not to the home.

“There was not just one foreign couple: there were three foreign couples on that day. They had come to see the children. Most foreign couples come to bond with children and possibly to see a child.

Foreign couples come with a letter of allocation from Probation Officers and children are handed over in court by a Judge in the presence of Probation Officers,” said Sr. Mary Johannes.

[“See” and “bond with” the children but not adopt them and they just happen to have $6k in hand? Sure. Riiiiight. ]

The sisters went on to say that on that day there was also a local couple with Rs. 35,000. They pointed out that the money was to pay lawyers’ fees.

“It is also necessary that a couple seeking to adopt a child opens a bank account in the name of the child and a part of this money was for that purpose,” pointed out Sister Nilanthi from Caritas.

“We are not aware of the receipt. We have not seen the colour of it,” said the Missionaries of Charity
While others take three vows, we the Missionary Sisters of Charity – Mother Teresa’s sisters take a fourth vow – to give our wholehearted service to the poorest of the poor, they pointed out softly.

[Will you be inquiring about receipts in the future? Do you NOT care that illegal monetary transactions are taking place within your mission’s walls? What specifically are you going to do in the future to stop this from happening?]

“Whoever who comes to us, we do not turn away. It is true that there were girls who were pregnant. But it is not for us to turn them away when they are sent to us. One such girl was sent to us by the Probation authorities through a court order, another was brought by her mother, and another who was a victim of the tsunami. It is not for us to turn them away when they are in distress. Where do they go to? From the time a pregnant girl is brought we help her go through those difficult times. We take them to the clinics and ensure that they get their medication. When the baby is born, we encourage her to take the baby with her. It is not for us to study the ethics and legality. It is for us to serve…” Said Sr. Mary Johannes.

The Sisters went on to say that many of these girls are so desperate and they do not know what to do.

“A child’s interest is of paramount importance…and it will be so for us too,” said the sisters.
The holy congregation expressed sadness at the way the Matron of Prem Nivasa, Sr. Eliza had been arrested. She was taken away to Wennapuwa though Prem Niwasa is in Rawatawatte and the case was heard while the lawyer was on the way . Sister Eliza was then remanded. She was taken to Welikada around midnight, they said.

Representatives of Prem Niwasa went on to say that two of the pregnant girls in their home were taken to another state home. They questioned the safety of the home and the psychological condition of the girls who were pregnant at the time, when they were taken away by the police.

“Their image has been tarnished and it is important that we understand the factual reality of adoption.

[But PART of that “factual reality of adoption” are the side people making more than the local’s average year’s salary per child when that is AGAINST regulations. It is amazing that they do not seem to care that a crime is taking place within their walls. It is disturbing how disconnected they are to what is occurring.]

The home run by the Missionaries of Charity maintains the highest standards of emotional care and provides a safe and secure environment for children in distress. They are ready to share everything – from a meal upwards. The lives of these sisters a re dedicated to service and their vocation is to go through any hardship for these children. The special characteristic of this home when compared to others is that these sisters are dedicated 24 hours of the day. They do not go home at 5 o’clock,” said Father Noel Dias.

“These sisters have left their own homes and their families behind for their lives of dedication and they have minimal contact with their families,” he added.”
“Missionaries Of Charity Do Not Deal With Money… For God Provides
[The Sunday Leader 12/4/11 by  Ranee Mohamed]

Update 2: Hattip to a reader who provided the link in our comments on the Archdiocesan link dated December 15, 2011: Prem Nivasa Court Decision December 15, 2011 [Fr. Sunil De Silva] that is pasted below:

” NOTHING ILLEGAL HAS HAPPENED AT PREM NIVASA ”

Magistrate Court tells

REV. SR. MARY ELIZA RELEASED OF ALL ACCUSATIONS

The Colombo Magistrate Courts said today, 15th Dec. 2011, ” Nothing illegal has happened at ‘Prem Nivasa’,
Rawathawatta” and released Rev. Sr. Mary Eliza from all accusations NCPA had presented to the Courts.

Having received the investigations reports from the Attorney General and from the Criminal Investigation Department, Colombo Magistrate Courts said that there are no illegal activities happening at “Prem Nivasa” of Mother Teresa’s Sisters, at Rawathawatta.

Senior Counsellor Neville Abeyratne appearing  on behalf of the Sisters, informed the Court that the Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority has acted on an anoymous telephone call and arrested Rev.Sr. Mary Eliza even without proper investigation on the complaint and had made arrangements toproduce her before Courts, which had caused severe hardships and mental agony to the Rev. Sisters and also Chairman of NCPA had taken the matter to the media giving totally incorrect information. Senior Counsellor Neville Abeyratne requested the Magistrate Court inform NCPA to act with responsibility when arresting a person.

The Court also ordered the NCPA to release all the files and documents seized from “Prem Nivasa” and also two passports of Rev. Sr. Eliza and Rev. Sr. Arohma.

The Court also ordered the NCPA to produce the suspect who had raped a girl, since NCPA informed the Court on the first day hearing that there is a raped underage girl staying at ‘Prem Nivasa’. The Case on the suspected rapist will be taken on 19th January 2011.

There was a significant number of lawyers appeared in the Court today on behalf of the Rev. Sisters. Also several priests and religious were present in the Court to hear the final decision.

When the Court Case was over, Rev. Fathers and Rev. Sisters proceeded to the Chapel at Hultsdrop for a Thanksgiving Prayer Service. ”

Questions remain on procedures for when underaged girls are raped, as this press release confirms that did happen. Additionally, no aspects of the international adoption process, facilitators, money exchanges or the Americans who might be just visiting for “bonding” with the children are discussed. These ETHICAL issues that still leave questions about whether Hague procedures were being followed by the agencies and their representatives still have no answers. Will there be ANY new procedures to ensure nothing illicit or out-of-protocol is happening?

Articles

According to No illegal activity at ‘Prem Nivasa’ children home, Sri Lanka court told, nun cleared [Colombo Page 12/15/11], there STILL is an issue with not reporting the underage rape.

“When the case against the shelter was taken up for hearing in the court today the CID told the court that the children at the ‘Prem Nivasa’ have been adopted by locals and foreign nationals according to the Sri Lankan laws through the court.

Acting on a tip, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) with the assistance of the police raided the shelter for pregnant girls and the police arrested the caretaker nun, Sister Mary Eliza and another person.

The suspects have been charged with failure to disclose information on an underage pregnant mother and a baby.

The NCPA submitted a report to the court that said the Attorney General has advised to release the nun and accordingly, the Colombo Additional Magistrate released Sister Mary Eliza. ”

“The NCPA raid angered the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka which said it would take legal action against the Child Authority.

An angry Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith proclaimed that he would not take part in state festivals during Christmas time since an injustice was caused to the nuns of the Missionaries of Charity by the raid.

The government ordered a special investigation on the arrest and CID conducted the investigation under the instructions of police chief, Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Ilangakoon and produced the report that was presented to the court today.

The ‘Prem Nivasa’ provides shelter for abandoned children and unwedded pregnant mothers and places children for adoption according to the country’s rules and regulations, the Catholic Church of Sri Lanka said. ”

According to No illegal activities at Prem Nivasa: CID tells Court [Adaderana 12/15/11], “When the complaint filed against the mother and baby shelter accusing it of child-trafficking, was taken up at court today the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) stated that the children at the home were adopted locally and by foreign nationals “legally”.

A special investigation had been conducted regarding the matter under the instruction of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), CID officers submitting a report to the court stated.

It stated that children were adopted following legal guidelines and had been carried out “only” through the court.

If children at the home had not been registered, it was due to the lack of correct information regarding the children, the CID said. ”

According to Press Release December 7, 2011 in Sri Lankan Guardian Groundless accusations against the sisters of the missionaries of charity and ‘Prem Nivasa’ “ “When pregnant girls and women come to this home seeking shelter and refuge, these Sisters do not ask them a question about their religion or caste or creed or even whether they are rich or poor, etc, they never ask such questions. Some girls or women who have been raped, even thinking of committing suicide in their desperate situation, because someone has destroyed their life and dignity, their name has been tarnished, unable to go home or to their village, come to this home for refuge. So these Sisters accept them and look after them very well. Raped girls or women who come to this home are sent by the Courts after the Court’s procedure is over and they are sent through the Probation Office, which is under the Social Ministry. When the children are born, these unwedded mothers are free to decide to take the child along with them or handover the child to the Sisters through the Courts and Probation office to look after the child and be given for adoption. Adoption is done through a Court procedure and it is through the Court a child is handed over for adoption having carefully and thoroughly investigated into the background and the intentions of the married couple who had asked for a child, and also inquiring the intention of the original parents of the child. [How does that work with a rape victim and how is that rape victim counseled?] Children for adoption are given through the Probation Office after following the proper Court procedure. There could be some unattended work, since the Sisters accept them as they come. However, Sisters accept these children or girls or women and help them first to overcome their sufferings, their tensions, trauma in minds and desperate situations they have faced.”

According to Mother Teresa Sri Lanka order rocked by baby charges [BBC 12/13/11], ”

The Roman Catholic church denies wrongdoing. Lawyers for the sisters say there was no intentional offence. ”

“As we sit on wicker chairs in his porch Father Cyril, episcopal vicar of the southern region of the Archdiocese of Colombo, admits that the convent has sheltered a few girls who were pregnant under-age; but, he says, there has been no crime worthy of arrest.

The girl at the centre of the current allegations was brought to Prem Nivasa by her mother, he says.

“In our culture if a girl this age gets pregnant she just cannot face society. Her mother feared that if this came out there would be a lot of problems among her relatives. She asked the sisters not to tell anyone.

“We as priests and they as nuns – we are bound by charity and love, that’s how we work.”

The priest also rejects as “rubbish” the accusation that the nuns may have taken money to give children for adoption.

He says the probation department closely monitors adoptions from Prem Nivasa and that everything is done through the courts with strict adherence to the law – whether the adoption takes place locally or abroad. ”

“Complaint
Hiranthi Wijemanne, a former chairperson of the NCPA, says however that the raid on the nunnery took place because of a tip-off from somebody who has not been publicly named.

“”It’s the NCPA’s role to monitor such institutions. In this case there was a complaint regarding a money transaction related to foreign adoptions,” she told the BBC.

As for the accusation that the convent sheltered pregnant girls, she acknowledges that there is shame attached to people in such a situation and that providing secrecy to them can help avoid stigma.

“But there’s a mandatory requirement to report it,” she adds, explaining that someone causing an under-age pregnancy is guilty of statutory rape in Sri Lankan law.

Senior church officials are not happy. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, told a news conference that the only money paid in connection with adoptions from Prem Nivasa was paid by adoptive parents for court fees or a child’s upbringing.”

To re-focus what is important about this entry: this is not about providing needed services or preventing abortions or nuns taking money. Instead, this is about a complaint about money transactions between facilitators and prospective adoptive parents in foreign adoptions to the US that are supposed to completely follow Hague guidelines AND the orphanage not reporting statutory rape.

REFORM Puzzle Piece