The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1960-03-04
Welfare
Continued from Page y

108 were in paid foster homes;
100 were in homes awaiting
final decree of adoption; 113
were in children's institutions
either in the Diocese of Co.
lumbus or elsewhere; and 81,
mostly older children nearing
Is years of age were in var
ious placements such as nurs-
es' training schools, detention
homes, hospitals, state correc-
tional institutions, maternity
homes or the armed services.
THE BUREAU PLACED rs
children for adoption during
1889. The Oldest child was is
years of age when placed and
the youngest less than one
month old. Most of the chill
dren were placed when they
were either three or four
months old.
To help the children find
homes suitable to their indi-
vidual characteristics, the fam
lily background of the chill
dren was examined, their inn
portant physical, emotional
and mental qualities consid-
cred and a legal release of
their children was accepted
by the bureau from their
natural parents. II a few cases
it was necessary to resort to
court action to obtain legal
authority to place the children
who had been completely
abandoned by their parents
for periods for more than
two years.
AFTER MAKING the nee
essary comparisons the Bur
eau placed the children with
substitute parents who pos
sessed similar characteristics
and family backgrounds as
those of the children. The
Staff of the Bureau contin-
ued to visit the children and
their new parents for at least
six months after their place
ments to comply with the
Ohio adoption law and to pre-
pare the report required by
the Probate Court at the time
there Is a hearing making the
adoption legally binding.
IN 1859 THE CATHOLIC
Welfare Bureau cared for FOG
unwed mothers. Many of these
women came from distant cit
les to protect themselves and
many were from cities of the
Diocese of Columbus. The
Bureau was helping rs OF
these women at the beginning
Of the year and accepted re-
sponsibiIity for caring for
100 additional women during
1859. The Bureau helped ar
range parental residence in
local and distant maternity
homes and in family homes.
II secured obstetrical and hos
pital care for these women
and continued to help them
after the birth of their babies
until they had made reason
able adjustment back into
their own communities.
LESS WELL KNOWN by
many people is the function
Of the Bureau OF representing
the Church and her welfare
institutions and organizations,
In many local and state or
CARNATIONS.
The Staff of the Catholic
Welfare Bureau looks upon
this Diocesan agency as an
extension of parish RESPONSE
bilities. Before modern urban
life became so complicated,
the priests and people of the
parishes were able to find
homes for most of the home.
less children, accept supervis-
lon of children who we're in
danger of becoming neighbor-
hood problems and protect II.
legitimately pregnant women.
PASTORS, AS TODAY,
counselled with their parish
toner's on many personal and
family problems. In today's
complex organization of so
ciety, civil laws direct that
children are to be placed only
by licensed agencies. The
multitude of agencies and well
fare programs demand profess
sional understanding and ex-
perienced knowledge.
o TiNUiNG c.
TON of the children and care
of those whose parents can
not care for them, requires
much more money than any
parish could possibly afford.
In addition, many of the peo-
pie who need the services of
the Bureau are unknown TO
their parish priests or neglect
to go to them for help. To
give the professional help that
is needed the Catholic Welfare
Bureau Of the Diocese of Co
lumbus has offices in Column
bus, Newark, Portsmouth and
GAINESVILLE.
THE COST or MAINTAIN.
ING these services amounted
to S202, 922. % in 1859. OF
this amount the United APP
peals in Columbus contribut-
ed s90,561.00. The United APP
peal in Newark gave $500.
The United Fund in Zanes-
vile contributed $10,2 04. 90.
Parents and responsible agen-