Students Take Chastity Message to Catholic Campuses
CNS to launch campus program in support of Catholic teaching on love and sexuality.
April 27, 2007
With the advice and support of the Cardinal Newman Society, students at Catholic colleges are preparing to teach their peers about the consequences of premarital sexual activity and the value of chastity and marriage.
CNS Outreach Director Marc Perrington joined students from Loyola University of Chicago and Seton Hall University at a February conference in Princeton, New Jersey, to make plans for pro-chastity student efforts. CNS helped cover travel costs and will assist students with their activities.
Other Catholic colleges—including Benedictine College and the Catholic University of America—were unable to send representatives but are planning efforts to tackle the high levels of sexual activity, sexually transmitted diseases, abortions, and related concerns on most Catholic campuses.
"Students such as these, who are willing to get in front of their peers and challenge their peers to show respect and true commitment, are the hope of America," Perrington said. "The Cardinal Newman Society is committed to doing what we can to help students address the most serious behavioral problem on Catholic campuses."
As part of its new Love and Responsibility Campus Outreach Project, CNS will advise, train and provide financial support for students at Catholic colleges who are developing student clubs, lectures or other campus events in support of Catholic teaching on love and sexuality. CNS is working with experts in medicine, psychology, theology and youth outreach to develop a comprehensive program that addresses premarital sexual activity with the same urgency and resources that characterize campus programs combating alcohol abuse.
CNS is also discussing partnerships with other organizations including The Anscombe Society, which sponsored the February conference in Princeton. The Anscombe Society is a student organization at Princeton University that is widely considered one of the best college-level programs to address marriage and sexuality. Although not explicitly Catholic, the Anscombe program holds to principles about chastity, marriage, homosexuality and other concerns that are consistent with Catholic teaching.
The conference was designed to help students at other colleges develop programs similar to The Anscombe Society. Speakers included Patrick Fagan of The Heritage Foundation, Princeton law professor Robert George, and Maggie Gallagher of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy.
Written By: tmeadDate Posted: 5/9/2007Number of Views: 851
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