Free Republic

The Diocese of Arlington has criticized newly approved sex-education materials in Fairfax County public schools, saying they ridicule abstinence and marriage. The Fairfax County School Board on May 12 voted 10-1 to approve for 10th-graders two pamphlets -- "Birth Control Facts" and "Abstinence 101." "We would reject both those resources," said Gerri Laird, a coordinator of Education and Training with the diocese's Office for Family Life. "How can you promote abstinence when you talk about sexuality without even talking about marriage?"

In Arlington Diocese  . . Many Outraged Parents Reject "Sexual-Abuse Prevention" Program(Special to The Wanderer)   MANASSAS, Va. — Nearly 300 Arlington Catholics packed a meeting at All Saints Parish here January 12 to protest a "sexual-abuse prevention program" designed for Catholic children as young as five years of age.  The diocese is developing the program in response to the requirement, contained in article 12 of the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" adopted by the American bishops at their Dallas meeting in June 2002, that each diocese implement a "Safe Environment" program.  Arlington Bishop Paul...