Denver Catholic

15 DENVER CATHOLIC | MARCH 9-22, 2019 After 100 years of service to the Archdiocese of Denver, our Cathedral is in need of some vital repairs. Thank you for your generosity! Visit denvercathedral.org call us at 303-831-7010 or email us at CBIC2016@ denvercathedral.org for more information A RESTORATION FOR THE AGES All donations are tax deductible "Our historic and iconic Cathedral Basilica needs your help." Father Ron Cattany Pastor and Rector North, East and West Façade Repair $2 Million Leaking Flat Roof Repairs $50,000 East Door Handi- capped Access $50,000 Colfax Facade $4.5 Million Total: • Cathedral Savings and Restoration Fund $2.92 Million • Pledges & Gifts $ 1,139,287.44 EXTERIOR PRESERVATION 2021 Consecration Jubilee Trust Fund $5Million Clean Kimball Organ $100,000 Clean Altars $100,000 Carpet Cathedral $45,000 Paint Interior $750,000 INTERIOR RENOVATION Lower Level Bathrooms and Lift: • $350,000 from savings Sanctuary Handrails and Votive Candles: • Gifts & Pledges $46,639 A place for reconnecting With God. Come for a day or week. Book your next retreat with us! 719-258-1600 For Tour or Reservations www.eltesororetreat.org Plumbing, Heating, Drains & Water Heaters Call us at (303) 280-5765 | Squeaksservices.com RELIGION: AN IDEOLOGY? One of the statements of the house bill a¨rms that sexual education must exclude all forms of "religious ideology." In this respect, Father Granados clar- ified: "The Catholic teaching on sexu- ality is not an ideology, [rather] it helps us understand the truth of our being and of natural law… [Ironically], this law introduces its own ideology that is harmful, [making a¨rmations such as], 'a boy can be a girl in a boy's body.'" Furthermore, Dr. Walker highlighted that the Catholic teaching on the orien- tation of the human person "is rooted in natural law." This natural law says that "we are created male or female" and that contraception and abortion "are contrary to [it]." ABORTION If the topic of an undesired preg- nancy were to be discussed in class, this bill would make it mandatory for teachers to present abortion and life as equal options. Father Granados warned that even though the bill claims to be neutral in this matter, "what it's actually doing is promoting the culture of death because, evidently, if the three options are presented as equal, the girl will most likely choose abortion." Dr. Walker also pointed out the reality of the Post Abortion Stress Syndrome, "a sort of spiritual and emo- tional death. At some point, post-abor- tive women — and others who facili- tate abortions — sužer from profound grief, regret, guilt and depressive and post-traumatic stress disorders." It's a trauma that can lead a woman to have suicidal or self-destructive behaviors. Moreover, Dr. La Rosa assures that the best way to reduce abortions "is by educating children to respect life from the moment of conception until natural death, and to practice chastity…" A TRUE EDUCATION Nonetheless, one question remains: How can we fill the void of sexual edu- cation that so many children and teens lack? Father Granados proposes that "par- ents talk to their children about sex- uality properly," calling to mind that there are many programs available, such as the Theology of the Body and Teen Star, that help children and ado- lescents know their body and guide par- ents in talking to their children about this subject. "Sexuality is good," Father Granados said. "It has been created by God, and as parents we have that responsibility of saying that God has created us male or female. We must thank God, who gives sense to our sexuality." But, can promoting abstinence be attractive to a young man or woman in the 21st century? "In my experience, when young people are presented with the truth of God's plan for sexuality and marriage, their eyes light up and some- thing clicks in their mind," Dr. Walker said. "We are wired for the truth. The natural law is written on every human heart. These fundamental truths, when presented with compassion and love, can lead to dramatic conversions. I have seen young people repent and choose a new way of living; there is much peace in living a virtuous, pure life." Dr. La Rosa added that Popes Pius XI and XII "have instructed us very clearly that the tradition of teaching about sex education should not be pri- marily a matter of discussing explicit sexual issues, but rather, it should be a matter if inculcating modesty, purity, chastity and morality." THE STATE TAKES CONTROL According to Dr. Walker, taking con- trol of the sexual education of children the way this bill does "would violate the religious freedom of parents, educators and children themselves." Dr. Walker1 added that "it would be very naïve to think that Catholic schools and homeschoolers will not be targeted in the near future. We must fight to protect all children in the State of Colorado from this aggressive teach- ing of gender ideology." Thus, instead of imposing an edu- cation that can generate confusion among children and adolescents, Father Granados recommends that children be taught to "dress with dignity." And encourages parents to dialogue and ask their children when they return from school: "What have you learned today? What did they teach you?" Similarly, Dr. Walker said, "I would also encourage parents to discuss chas- tity and purity and modesty with their children at a very early age." CONTACT YOUR SENATOR Contact your State Senator and ask them to oppose House Bill 19-1032. i

• Cover