What are students in public schools really being taught about sex? And more importantly, how can parents ensure their child’s innocence is upheld?
This year, the annual Gospel of Life Conference seeks to address these very topics and equip parents with the necessary tools to protect the health and innocence of their children. The featured speaker will be Cathy Ruse, J.D., Senior Fellow for Legal Studies at the Family Research Council and governor of Ave Maria School of Law.
For the first time, the conference will be offered for two days in two different locations; Oct. 22 at St. Thomas More in Centennial and Oct. 23 at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Northglenn.
The conference is sponsored by the Respect Life Office for Catholic Charities of Denver. Lynn Grandon, director of the Respect Life Office, told the /Denver Catholic/ that the topic for the conference this year was decided based on many conversations she’s had with parents over the last year.
“I’m out in parishes all the time, and there [has been] a lot of buzz, especially this past spring, about parents saying, ‘what in the world is going on here in Colorado with them pushing the sex ed curriculum that’s getting in all the schools?’ Grandon said. “They’re really riled up about it.
“People are really getting concerned, but they don’t realize the depth and the danger of what is being presented,” she continued. “Cathy has really done her research and she has pulled together really important elements to help parents know what specifically is being presented in principle and in which different grade levels to raise serious awareness.”
With over 25 years’ experience in the complicated legal areas of abortion, bioethics and family, religious liberty, pornography and free speech, Ruse is uniquely equipped to contribute to the public discussion on this issue. Whereas parents have in the past been able to opt their child out of going through sexual education curriculum they’re not comfortable with, public schools do not always inform parents when the lessons are happening.
“[Ruse] admits, which is frightening, that some schools now are not allowing this whole opt out idea, which used to happen in the past,” Grandon said. “They’re not doing that now. They’re covering it up and not letting parents know when it’s going to happen, different things like that. That’s unsettling.”
Because of the gravity and seriousness of the topic, the conference will be free of charge for attendees, although donations are encouraged.
“This is just going to be a donation at the door event,” Grandon said. “We’re not insisting on registration and paying to come to the event because we just believe it’s so, so important that parents have to hear this.”
The majority of Catholic families do not have their children enrolled in Catholic schools and are therefore beholden to the public school system’s discretion on sexual education curriculum. Ruse’s insights at this year’s Gospel of Life Conference will empower those many families to help make sure their children are steeped in the truth about human sexuality.
“Parents have to learn these action steps to consider in the fight to protect the health and innocence of their children,” Grandon concluded. “That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”
To read an informative pamphlet written by Cathy Ruse on sexual education in public schools, click here.
Gospel of Life Conference
Friday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m.
St. Thomas More Parish, Centennial
Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Northglenn
For more details, email life@ccdenver.org. No RSVP required.
