Madonna's second Malawi adoption approved by court
Madonna's second Malawi adoption approved by court
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Friday, 12, Jun 2009 05:56
Singer Madonna will be allowed to adopt a second child from Malawi after a court reversed its earlier decision.
Madonna said she was "ecstatic" at the decision to permit her to adopt four-year-old girl Chifundo 'Mercy' James and added in a statement: ""My family and I look forward to sharing our lives with her."
The Material Girl adopted David Banda in 2006 from the African country after officials waived a rule requiring adoptive parents to have been resident in Malawi for 18 months.
But her attempt to adopt Mercy in April was rejected over the same residency rules.
A Malawian court had turned down the 50-year-old's adoption bid of Mercy - who is now resident in one of Malawi's best orphanages - saying it could also have a negative effect on children's human rights.
The Ray of Light star appeared before the Malawian supreme court to appeal the decision and learnt that the original decision had been reversed and she would be permitted to adopt Mercy.
"In our view, Chifundo James is better taken care of by being adopted by foreign parents who will give her love and affection," said chief justice Lovemore Munro.
He added Madonna's commitment to helping disadvantaged children should also be recognised, referring to her Raising Malawi charity which helps feed, educate and provide medical care for Malawian orphans.
Chief justice Munro added: "In this global village, a man can have more than one place at which he resides.
"The matter of residence should be determined at the time of application of the adoption.
"In this case, Madonna was in Malawi not by chance but by intention."
The singer, who finalised her divorce from British filmmaker Guy Ritchie this year, has two biological children Lourdes, 12, and Rocco, 8, as well as adopted son David.