Pedro asked about teaching his teenaged CCD students and asked about an approach to teaching them regarding morality. Aside from a CCD textbook on the subject, I certainly hope that all of his students know and realize that morality as taught by the Catholic Church, is based upon the Ten Commandments.

The Catholic Church, as designated by Jesus, has the authority to develop the application of the Ten Commandments. For example the following can be found in the Catechism regarding the Sixth Commandment, 'You Shall Not Commit Adultery':

----Love is the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. ----Man and woman should acknowledge and accept their sexual identity. ----We are called to lead a chaste life, according to our particular state of life. ----Chastity includes an apprenticeship in self-mastery. ----Among the sins gravely contrary to chastity are: masturbation, fornication, pornography, and homosexual practices. ----Marital covenant, freely entered into, imposes the obligation to keep their marriage indissoluble. ----Having children is good, a gift and an end of marriage. ----By giving life, spouses participate in God's fatherhood. ----Direct sterilization and contraception are morally unacceptable. ----Adultery, divorce, polygamy and free union are grave offenses.

The above can be found on pages 560-576 of the Catechism, and summarized on the last two of those pages. Thank you. Don

Dear Don,

Thank you for the information.

Dr. Geraghty

COPYRIGHT 2009

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