Chastity in crisis

THIS is no breaking news, of course. Chastity has long

been in crisis. In fact, it would seem that today the word itself is

disappearing from people’s vocabulary. It’s now an endangered species

crying for urgent protection. As a cultural value, it’s practically in

coma.

  

            News about teenage pregnancy on the rise only confirms

this modern tragedy. With pornography constantly and easily available,

sexual addiction and promiscuity would not come far behind. And the

statistics simply reflects it. And we should not be naïve to think

that the crisis in this area does not bring many other moral

irregularities and anomalies along.

  

            We, of course, should not be indifferent to this

development nor stop at merely lamenting. While the challenge is

overwhelming, we can be sure that the means to combat or at least to

contain this problem are at hand. We just need the will to tackle it

earnestly. Now is not the time to be casual about this.

             An all-out campaign to recover the beauty and truth about

chastity should be made. All levels of society, all aspects of life

should be involved, because even if chastity is not the most important

virtue and value, the problems in it can easily undermine the more

sublime goals we all need to reach.

  

            We have to spread the gospel of chastity and human

sexuality as articulated by the teachings of the Church and given

witness to by thousands of saints and other holy men and women through

the ages.

             Nowadays, thanks be to God, there are serious and massive

efforts to explain the intricacies of human sexuality, especially to

the youth. Of course, we can neither deny that there are also many and

powerful forces that deface this important virtue.

  

            One of these pro-active initiatives is the series of books

entitled, “Values education on human sexuality,” published by Global

Creative Publishing House Corporation.” It’s a textbook series for

students from Grades 5 to 12, with a teachers’ guide.

  

            More on character education rather than on mere sexuality

education, the series is an easy-to-read reference to parents,

teachers and students with the view of educating the youngsters in the

proper understanding and attitude toward human sexuality.

  

            Let’s hope that there can be more similar initiatives. But

what is even more important is that we strengthen the family network

so that the parents are properly empowered to carry out their duties

as the first teachers to their children on human sexuality.

            Of course, we should not neglect the spiritual and

pastoral means. We should teach everyone how to pray and how to make

their spiritual lives vibrant, full of true love and other virtues,

because that is how chastity can be truly lived.

  

            We should teach the youngsters how to deal with their

weaknesses, temptations and sins. This should always be done in a

positive and very human tone. A lot of patience and hope is needed

here, especially when we deal with those who are not yet ready to

change their errant ways.

  

            Let’s also tackle the issue of the pornography literally

glutting the Internet circuit.