Your Child’s Innocence May Be In Danger!
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS ADOPTS THE TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING PROGRAM
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has officially endorsed one of the most controversial “safe-environment training” programs for children in existence. This sexually explicit program is entitled Talking about Touching. In the fall of 2006 – 2007, over 90% of children in Catholic schools and religious education programs (grades pre-K through 4) will be subjected to this content, according to current plan.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
As a result of the tragic sex abuse scandal in 2002, the United States Catholic Bishops determined that children needed to be protected. They developed the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” The Bishops then selected a committee to research various “safe” programs.
WHY ARE CHILDREN AT RISK?
Several of those committee members have ties to anti-Catholic organizations such as the Feminist Majority Foundation and Playboy Magazine. In addition, a non-profit organization entitled “Committee for Children” (CFC) produced the curriculum for Talking about Touching. CFC grew out of a 1970s group called “Judicial Advocates for Women.” The names for these groups are misleading for they originated from a pro-prostitution group called COYOTE (“Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics” www.bayswan.org/COYOTE.html)
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES?
The Talking about Touching program takes young boys and girls, together in the classroom, through abuse scenarios using explicit sexual language, including the words: Vagina, Vulva, Breasts, Penis and Buttocks. Parents may not want their young children (1st, 2nd and 3rd grade) to be exposed to this type of language as well as story illustrations related to genitalia and other body parts.
Permission to reprint the (1st – 3rd grade) examples has been denied by the publisher, subject to restrictive conditions and stipulations. Parents are strongly advised to contact the Catholic Education Center (651) 291-4500 and view the actual program themselves.
The Center for Adolescent and Family Spirituality at Father Flanagan’s Girls and Boys Town reviewed the Talking About Touching program and had a number of serious criticisms:
“There are numerous child psychologists who know well the developmental stages of children and are appalled at this lack of recognition of the importance of the latency period in a young child’s life.”
“To impose Talking About Touching on children in our schools, whether private or public, without prior permission of parents is a violation of the rights of parents.”
“The children are being subjected to an experiment favored by the Committee for Children which has, as its agenda, to change the way American children are raised by their parents regarding sexuality.”
“Children should not have to be the primary guardians of their own safety. This is the role of parents, caretakers and involved communities. To infuse children with the level of caution and reluctance to trust, or to teach them to gain power over others by false ly accusing, is to start them on a life of suspicion, fear, anger and in many cases, of failed relationships.”
POINTS TO PONDER
- How will frightening young children with explicit stories help them escape a cunning and threatening predator?
- The Talking about Touching program places the primary burden for protection on the young children themselves.
- Catholic Parents across the U.S. are outraged about this assault on their young children’s innocence!
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]
NOW THE GOOD NEWS!
Leading Catholic schools and parishes are implementing the FORMATION IN CHRISTIAN CHASTITY program with Archbishop Harry Flynn’s approval!
The Formation in Christian Chastity program was developed by the Diocese of Harrisburg, PA and contains solid Catholic teaching!
10 REASONS NOT TO USE THE “TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING” PROGRAM: IN CHRISTIAN CHASTITY” PROGRAM:
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10 REASONS IN FAVOR OF THE “FORMATION IN CHRISTIAN CHASTITY” PROGRAM:
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- ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE!
Ask your Pastor and School Principal to Request Permission in Writing BY MAY 1ST
from Archbishop Harry Flynn to use the Formation in Christian Chastity program
from the Harrisburg Diocese, PA. Several pastors have already received permission
to use this program! - Parents can review “Formation in Christian Chastity” here. They also use a “Safe Environment” program which is primarily a child safety program (no sex ed). It includes materials for parents from the “National Center for Missing and Exploited Children” – see: Diocese of Harrisburg.
- Read The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality: http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_cf9601.htm
- PRAY for the Protection of Children and Parents’ Rights!
- Order our DVD entitled, IS YOUR CHILD AT RISK? “Protecting God’s Children” by sending your name and address to:
CPO
PO Box 130815
St. Paul, MN 55113
There is a suggested donation of $5.00. - Share this Information with Family and Friends and Work in Solidarity Together with Fellow Parishoners.
- If your Parish chooses Talking about Touching – Please Opt Your Child Out of the Class!
- ACT NOW! Time is of the Essence!
