BY KATHI STEARNS

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--Msgr. Terry Young, Secretary for Education, believes the Archdiocese of Atlanta has a pastoral responsibility to provide children a moral framework for teachings concerning human sexuality.

In a telephone interview, Msgr. Young said that since the majority of children in the archdiocese attend public school and the state restricts public schools from teaching on faith and morals, it is imperative that the Church explain its teachings simultaneously.

"In today's society the problem is that many children are only hearing one side of the story," Msgr. Young said. "They live in a media-saturated world that relies on sexually charged programming and advertising. In school they hear about all the biological and physiological changes their bodies are experiencing without the context of sound moral decision-making and personal responsibility. It is time for us to put our oar in the water and present this material in a way that reflects the teachings of the Church."

A priest of the archdiocese for 23 years, Msgr. Young has been in education for 22 of those years, as a teacher first and then principal of St. Pius X High School from 1976 to 1991. After a one-year sabbatical he became Secretary for Education, a post he will vacate Feb. 1.

Msgr. Young said that while he appreciates the concerns of people who are distressed over the loss of moral values among young people, he does not feel that the Benziger Family Life program is part of the problem.

"People sometimes believe that the onset of puberty is brought on by someone telling their child about puberty," he said. "Just because someone mentions the word 'puberty' to a child doesn't mean they are responsible for triggering this natural phenomenon. That is not how life works."

Helping children understand their sexuality gradually within a wholesome, balanced and Christian context is essential, he said.

"I have dealt with many kids who have had lots of sexual experiences and few who knew much about human sexuality," he said. "What we are trying to do is bridge the gap between the theoretical and lived experiences. It can be a very terrifying experience when your body is changing and you don't know why."

Msgr. Young says that materials presented in the Benziger Family Life program are consistent with Catholic teachings and reflect the U.S. Catholic Conference's document, "Human Sexuality: A Catholic Perspective for Education and Lifelong Learning. " The Benziger Family Life program explores the family as a biological, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual unit as well as an integral component of the Body of Christ.

"The Benziger series is rich in the documents of the Catholic Church," Msgr. Young said. "Some people have asked me if we could have found a more doctrinally sound text. Let me assure that Benziger is doctrinally strong and its teachings are based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church."

Msgr. Young believes that the Benziger Publishing Company set up the program so it is user-friendly for children, parents, catechetical leaders and pastors.

Each text is geared for a particular grade level and contains 10 chapter lessons, grouped according to five thematic strands. They are: God's gift of family, God's gift of self, God's gift of life, God's gift of sexuality and God's gift of community. A two-page review follows each thematic section. One of the pages consists of a content review and features a summary, discussion questions and suggested class projects. The other is a "family time" page designed to be sent home for use by the student's family.

"The materials are especially helpful to the average parent who often needs help in knowing how to approach the subject of sexuality and reproduction with their child," Msgr. Young said. "The texts are written in age-appropriate language and are presented in a sensitive, accurate and non-sensational manner."

Msgr. Young also credits Benziger with developing resource materials that are beneficial to catechists teaching this material.

"Because of the sensitivity of the material and the trust that the parents have placed in us, it is imperative that we form our catechists well so they can form the children," he said. "It is an ongoing process."

According to Msgr. Young the program provides various models for implementation which will meet the diversity of needs within the archdiocese.

"It is going to take time to train catechists, decide on appropriate models of implementation and to assist parents in understanding their role in the process," Msgr. Young said. "Many parishes have already begun to take that first step."