The Catholic Church and the ministry of “spiritual birth-giving” in the field of sexuality

Abstrakt

In view of the omnipresent contemporary crisis of truth, it seems a purposeful and valuable activity to approximate, clarify, as well as correct or recify the vision of the Catholic Church's teaching regarding treatment of man as a sexual being. The purpose of the article is to attempt to present selected elements of the teachings of the Catholic Church on sexuality, considering the ways in which sexual education is understood and identifying persons who are most acccountable for that dimesion of education. The inquiry is conducted from the point of view of an educator. The source literature of this study consists of selected documents of the Catholic Church. Other studies on the topic were also analysed. Based on the analysis of the documents, it may be conculded, that the Catholic Church attaches great importance to the issues connected with sexuality  and sexual education.  Such education should be based on integral vision of man. It is emphasized that this sphere should be considered in the context of the development of the whole human being, whose fundamental taks in life is love understood as the gift of self. Sexual education is therefore tantamount to education for love. It involves assisting children and youth in their search for the answer to the most important questions concerning the meaning and purpose of life, as well as the ideas and values  which determine the trajectory of human existence on Earth. An element of the analysed dimension of upbringing is both the introduction of young people to issues related in a strict sense to the biological functioning of man as a being endowed with sex, and the formation of views and attitudes towards himself and other people. Given the strength and primordiality of the natural family bonds, this responsible task should be delegated mainly to parents. It is parents who are to the greatest degree responsible for the formation of children to whom they have passed on their lives. All other educational instituations should conform to the principle of  subsidiarity and respect the precedence of parental rights and obligations. The ministry of spiritual assistance in the delicate sphere of the development of sexuality is the task of parents, who are the most important educators. All parents are obliged to undertake that difficult task, which requires creation of the climate of trust, closeness and mutual respect in the family, as well as   gentleness and respect for the intimate shpere of children. It is essential, that all information be conveyd in a clear way and reach children in proper time.