IN CONTRAST, LET’S SEE WHAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES:
The Catholic Church’s
teachings are clear that this type of program has no place in our
Catholic schools and programs of religious education. Pope John Paul
II approved a document from the Pontifical Council on the family
(1995) entitled “The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality” which
states:
Sex education, which is a basic right and duty of parents,
must always be carried out under their attentive
guidance, whether at home or in educational centers
chosen and controlled by them. In this regard, the
Church reaffirms the law of subsidiarity, which the
school is bound to observe when it cooperates in sex
education, by entering into the same spirit that animates
the parents. [No. 43]
“The years of innocence” from about five years of age
until puberty -- the beginning of which can be set at
the first signs of changes in the boy or girl’s body (the
visible effect of an increased production of sexual
hormones). This period of tranquility and serenity
must never be disturbed by unnecessary information
about sex. [No. 78]
Parents must protect their children, first by teaching
them a form of modesty and reserve with regard to
strangers as well as giving suitable sexual information
but without going into details and particulars that
might upset or frighten them. [No. 85]
