Human Sexuality Instruction
INST 1.4
Principals must implement a program of catechesis for family life in accord with Archdiocesan regulations and guidelines.
Purpose:
To provide Catholic teaching on morality.
To present skills and virtues for Catholic family living.
To place human sexuality within the context of Catholic moral living.
To help families address the complex issues of contemporary life.
To offer child safety education for children and their parents/guardians.
Commentary/Procedural Points:
Catechetical instruction in chaste living treats doctrinal truths in so far as they apply to the integration of the human mind, heart, will and body how to live a virtuous life in relationship to God, self, and other people.
This catechesis is to be offered as a core component of the faith formation curriculum of religious instruction in grades Kindergarten through Grade 8.
It is required that each school’s faith formation program include classroom/on-site time for Catechesis for Family Life utilizing the approved textbook materials.
Parents/guardians are to be assisted by the school in their essential role of primary educators of their children in moral living through Catechesis for Family Life.
In the classroom setting, proper human reference to human anatomy and physiology is to be made only to the degree necessary to teach morality and virtue.
Parents/guardians must have the opportunity to examine any and all materials used in this program including the student textbooks and parent resources.
References:
Catechesis for Family Life – Implementation Policies: Kindergarten through Grade 8, Archdiocese of Baltimore, Division of Catechetical and Pastoral Formation and Office of Child and Youth Protection, 2011. https://www.archbalt.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Family-Life-Policy-2014-Second-Edition.pdf
USCCB website: www.usccb.org
August 8, 2013