ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 21, 1995 TAG: 9512210074
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: VATICAN CITY
SOURCE: Associated Press
Roman Catholic parents have a duty to pull their children from sex education programs that promote condoms to avoid pregnancy or AIDS, a Vatican document urged Wednesday.
The 60-page text stresses the ``right and obligation'' to protect youngsters against sexually explicit media and demands homosexuality be explained in line with Church teaching as ``against natural law.''
The booklet by the Pontifical Commission for the Family expands on themes often championed by Pope John Paul II, including making the family the center for education about sexuality and morality.
The document also closely adheres to the pope's denunciations of trends in rich Western societies, which he contends exalt hedonism.
The text contains only recommendations, but could escalate disputes between Catholic parents and public school administrators over sex and health education programs.
The pope encourages expansion of Catholic schools, but places the main responsibility for character-building with parents. The commission makes clear that Catholic parents must avoid exposing their children to ``secular and anti-birth'' ideas.
``Sex education, the fundamental right and obligation of parents, must always be under their guide, both in the house and centers of education chosen and controlled by them,'' said the document, ``Human Sexuality: Truth and Significance,'' signed by the commission president, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo.
Teachers also ``need to respect the right of the child and young person to take themselves out of any form of sex education'' that goes against teachings at home.
The document conceded sex-related issues often overlap in studies such as health or sociology, but urged parents of public school students to be attentive and infuse Catholic values at home.
It also accused some nations ``that don't respect the rights of parents'' of trying to inject propaganda in favor of birth control into general classroom topics.
Catholic children should not attend sexual education classes that encourage condom use to prevent the spread of AIDS, the document said.
``Parents must refuse the promotion of the so-called `safe sex' or `safer sex,' a dangerous and immoral policy,'' the document said.
It appealed for ``respect, dignity and delicacy'' in dealing with homosexual teen-agers, but advised parents to seek counseling for the youth. The Vatican insists gay and lesbian Catholics remain celibate.
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