Luistro to get sentiment of Church leaders on sex education | The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines

Luistro to get sentiment of Church leaders on sex education The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines


Luistro to get sentiment of Church leaders on sex education By Evelyn Macairan (The Philippine Star) Updated July 11, 2010 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines – Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro is set to appear before the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Plenary Assembly today to get the “sentiment” of the Church leaders on the teaching of sex education in public schools.
The CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the CBCP, reported that the bishops are expecting Luistro on the second day of their 101th Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pius XII Center along United Nations Avenue, Manila.
CBCP secretary general Msgr. Juanito Figura said it appeared that the DepEd chief is seeking the “sentiments” of the bishops over the controversial issue of sex education, specifically about the modules that would be used.
Msgr. Figura said that it was Luistro who arranged the meeting.
In previous interviews, the former De la Salle University (DLSU) president promised to review the program and meet with all the concerned stakeholders, such as the Catholic Church, in a bid to find a common ground and build a consensus.
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He admitted that the government program is a divisive issue and one problem is the “different definitions” of sex education by different parties.
“When I talk to one group, they raise their position. Then another group will give us their position, and their definition of sex education is totally opposite. That’s the biggest problem… The best way to solve that is to bring these people together,” CBCPNews quoted Luistro as saying.
Some bishops have openly opposed the implementation of sex education, believing that teaching the subject should be left to the parents.
CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life chairman San Fernando Archbishop Paciano Aniceto said the government should only “assist” the parents instead of taking over their “original and primary” roles by teaching children “confidential and private matter” in schools.
CBCP lawyer Jo Imbong, who claimed to have scrutinized the modules, said the program attacks moral sensibilities and values of the children. It also furtively promotes family planning, reproductive health and demographic development.
She said that sex education has been included in the basic education curriculum for 12 years, and the DepEd only updates the modules.
Figura said that there were 91 active and one honorary member who attended the first day of the 101th Plenary Assembly. The CBCP has a total of 133 members, 98 of whom are active and 33 are retired.
Among those present in the gathering were CBCP president Tandag, Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo Odchimar, and Archbishops Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales of Manila and Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu.
The plenary meeting started with a 6 a.m. Mass, which was officiated by Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, apostolic nuncio to the Philippines.
Msgr. Figura said more “weighty issues” such as the Reproductive Health bill would also be discussed today with Imbong and Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez as speakers.