Late last year, Pope Benedict XVI made comments taking a stance on condom use in the context of disease prevention efforts. The Vatican later made a statement letting us all know the pontiff meant that condoms might be barely okay for HIV-positive sex workers, but for the rest of us, they're still a sin.
In his traditional New Year's address to ambassadors to the Vatican, delivered Monday, Benedict called sexual and civic education in schools an attack on religious freedom.
“I cannot remain silent about another attack on the religious freedom of families in certain European countries which mandate obligatory participation in courses of sexual or civic education,” said Benedict. He went on to say that sex education courses “convey a neutral concept of the person and of life, yet in fact reflect an anthropology opposed to faith and to right reason.”
The comments stem from a particularly heated battle between the Pope and Spain, which has recently implemented a mandatory citizenship curriculum that discusses things like homosexuality, divorce and abortion. Critics are calling Spain's decision “anti-Christian.”
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In his traditional New Year's address to ambassadors to the Vatican, delivered Monday, Benedict called sexual and civic education in schools an attack on religious freedom.
“I cannot remain silent about another attack on the religious freedom of families in certain European countries which mandate obligatory participation in courses of sexual or civic education,” said Benedict. He went on to say that sex education courses “convey a neutral concept of the person and of life, yet in fact reflect an anthropology opposed to faith and to right reason.”
The comments stem from a particularly heated battle between the Pope and Spain, which has recently implemented a mandatory citizenship curriculum that discusses things like homosexuality, divorce and abortion. Critics are calling Spain's decision “anti-Christian.”
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As if the most powerful religious force in the world has to worry about attacks on religious freedom! Talk about a diversion from the real issues ... what about the right of young people (especially girls) to access the information and services they need to optimize their health?