Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
San Jose (Agenzia Fides) – The Costa Rican Bishops' Conference has presented a new proposal for sexual education, aware of the fact that “for the Church, integral education of persons has always been a priority concern over the course of her history and of course, this includes education as to how to live love and sexuality.” For some years, the Bishops' Conference has published several texts with formative content on the topic, including “Sexual Education for Parents and Teachers” (in 2 parts), and “Sexuality: Gift and Responsibility.” “With these and other texts, we have offered guidelines on issues that are often overlooked on an academic and doctrinal level among the faithful and society at large.”
These texts are now being proposed “as an instrument of service for the faithful and the Costa Rican citizens in general, in order to place it into practice in the Dioceses, parishes, and communities, as part of the pastoral guidelines for education, with the participation of various pastoral agents.” In this educational project, the focus is on the transcendental dimension of the person as body and soul.
A text has been drafted for parents, with guidelines and activities on education of affectivity and sexuality for children age 6 and under. In addition, encounters have elaborated for the attention of minors between 7 and 9 years of age, 10-12 years, 13-15, 16-17, and for those 18 and over.
The text was compiled by people who are specialized in working with children, adolescents, and young adults, and it has been revised by experts. The document is also based on two other documents: “Educational Guidance in Human Love” from the Congregation for Catholic Education, and “The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality,” from the Pontifical Council for the Family, which offers basic principles. The publication of these texts comes in response to a decision made in the Ordinary Assembly held in August 2004. The Bishops' Conference publishes these texts as part of the evangelizing mission of the Church, in a society which is over 90% Christian.
The education of children is the primary responsibility and right of parents. Thus, the Church offers these texts as a useful took in doing so.
“It is up to the conscience and work of parents, what kind of education they wish to offer their children in these important areas of love and sexuality. The Church, Mother and Teacher – and therefore, educator – proposes a path that is narrow, but that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the path indicated by Her Master, Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and without whom we cannot reach the Father,” the Bishops conclude. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/5/2009)
