PICS: Mercy meets her new family

By Ruth Doherty on Thursday 2 April 2009

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Madonna, Lourdes, celebrity gossip, Marie Claire

Little Mercy James clutches her new sister Lourdes' hand as Madonna introduces her to her new family.

The four-year-old was pictured yesterday with Lourdes and her soon-to-be new mum Madonna, who was just feet away dressed in a sarong, T-shirt and panama hat.

The singer has hit back at criticism that she has used her status and power to 'fast-track' the adoption process by saying she has followed all 'standard procedures'.

SEE MADONNA'S MALAWI TRIP PICS HERE

Her spokeswoman, Liz Rozenburg, released a statement saying: '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.html">Madonna's desire to adopt Mercy is totally heartfelt.

'She is not skirting any legal issues in her application to adopt this child and is looking to provide a loving family environment and the best education and health care possible for a child who has been in an orphanage since her birth.'

'Madonna.html">Madonna is currently awaiting a judge's ruling regarding the adoption of Mercy James. She is following all standard procedures that are required and is waiting for the judge to hopefully grant adoption by Friday.'

More Madonna Madonna-in-Malawi---crop.jpg" border="0" alt="Madonna in Malawi, celebrity news, Marie Claire"/>

But outraged human rights groups have suggested the singer should be providing financial support to Mercy's existing family - her poverty-stricken uncles Peter Baneti and John Ngalande and grandmother Lucy Chekechiwa - so they can care for Mercy themselves.

A coalition of non-governmental organisation Human Rights Consultative Committee said Madonna's adoption of Mercy should only be a last resort for the child and her family should be assisted in caring for the tot.

Save the Children spokesman, Dominic Nutt, said: ‘It is vital, we say, that children should be cared for in their own environment by their own community, ideally by their own family.

'The thing to do is to support the community, the local agencies and the charities who can look after the child.'

Meanwhile, Madonna.html">Madonna yesterday took her children David Banda, Rocco and Lourdes to the Home of Hope orphanage, where Malawi-born David lived before she adopted him.

The orphanage's director, Lucy Chipeta, showed them the room and crib that he had used.

Chipeta said: 'It was an emotional moment. I am happy she brought her other children to see his roots.'

The Material Girl appeared in court on Monday in a bid to convince judges of her suitability to adopt Mercy, whose 18-year-old mother died five days after giving birth to her.

She is expecting to hear whether she has been successfully granted adoption on Friday.

SEE MORE MADONNA PICS HERE

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Thursday 2 April 2009

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I cannot beleive Madonna has been refused the right to adopt little Mercy. The fact the child is in an orphanage says everything, I appreciate the family is poor and in no position to take her on, unless they get financial help from Madonna? I dont think so! Whether you love Madonna or hate her, she is a good mother and can give this child a far better life and a safer one than her own country can provide. This is a country where life is cheap, children are raped by their own fathers - better kept in her own environment by her family? What sanctimonius nonsense. What will happen to little Mercy now? Stuck in an orphanage with no future - some life. This ruling is a disgrace, as are the people who are criticising Madonnas action.
Comment by Jennifer Stevenson on April 03 13:08

I agree with you Jennifer!
Comment by Janey on April 03 21:33