Madonna:'I'm playing by the rules'

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Madonna - Celebrity News - Marie Claire

Madonna has hit back at her critics and insists she is playing by the rules in her latest adoption of an African orphan.

The Material Girl is in the process of adopting Mercy James, 4, from Malawi.

But the speed of the adoption has attracted criticism from human rights campaigners that the star is using her fame to rush through the proceedings.

For the first time, Madonna has responded to the claims and insists she is following the correct procedures.

‘She is not skirting any legal issues in her application to adopt this child,’ her spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said in a statement.

‘The adoption process for Mercy began over a year ago when Madonna met her on one of her visits to Malawi. The connection was instant and profound. Madonna's desire to adopt Mercy is totally heartfelt.’

Rosenberg added that all the singer wants to do is ‘provide a loving family environment and the best education and health care possible’ for Mercy.

Madonna adopted a Malawian boy, David Banda, two years ago. She confirmed he recently met his biological father – but reports say David did not recognise him.

It is the first time David has seen his father since the adoption in 2006 and the two had to communicate through a translator, as David does not speak the local language.

Despite the problems, ‘Madonna is committed to maintaining an ongoing relationship with David's Malawian roots,’ said Rosenberg.

Madonna must wait until Friday to find out if her adoption of Mercy has been successful.

Campaigners including Malawi’s Human Rights Consultative Committee and Save the Children have urged Madonna to reconsider the adoption and instead provide for Mercy in her home country.

SEE PICTURES OF MADONNA AND HER FAMILY IN MALAWI

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Wednesday 1 April 2009

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If she wants to help these children, why not support the local community? Why does she need to adopt children who already have family when there are plenty in need with no family at all?
Comment by Cate on April 01 13:20

There are plenty of children in her own country that need adopting. Madonna is definitely using her status to rush things through. It is not acceptable as the child she is trying to adopt has living relatives as did the one she previously adopted.
Comment by Sue on April 01 16:18