The Missionaries of Charity, the Roman Catholic order founded by Mother Teresa, says it has decided to close its adoption services in India after the country amended its rules to allow single parents to adopt.
The Missionaries of Charity said over the weekend that allowing single parents to adopt goes against the order's religious beliefs.
India's Central Adoption Resource Authority reviewed its guidelines in July in an effort to enable more people to adopt children.
The Missionaries of Charity looks after abandoned children, including those with special needs, at homes across the country called Nirmal Shishu Bhawans.
While the order will no longer place children for adoption, it said it would continue to care for abandoned children who aren't chosen for adoption.
