The guidelines stress the schools' Catholic mission and the Church's doctrinal teaching on sexuality and identity.

"The Catholic school is committed to providing a safe environment that allows students to flourish academically, physically, and spiritually."

"Catholic schools are obliged to provide an education and resources consistent with Catholic teaching," the guidelines say.

A summary of the guidelines' key points are:

• the term "sexual identity" is used in a way that is synonymous with "biological sex"
• Catholic school students will be referred to by names and pronouns that reflect their sexual identity
• students will be allowed to use only facilities (eg toilets) and participate in single-sex sports and activities that align with their sexual identity, rather than their chosen gender identity.

The document references Genesis, the Catechism and Pope Francis, saying God created each person "in His own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he" and that "God uses the body to reveal to each person his or her sexual identity as male or female."

"A person's embrace of his or her God-given sexual identity is an essential part of living a fulfilled relationship with God, with oneself, and with each other."

"The physical, moral, and spiritual differences between men and women are equal and complementary. The flourishing of family life and society depend in part on how this complementarity and equality are lived out," it adds.

The guidelines say schools must communicate their policies regarding sexual identity "to each student in a way that is respectful of and consistent with each student's God-given sexual identity and biological sex."

The guidelines are similar to the pastoral recommendations made last month by Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Illinois.

He noted "the presentation of this truth must be made with love," while the diocese must also communicate clear policies that reflect the faith of the Catholic Church.

So far the US Bishops' Conference has not issued any specific guidelines, although a number of dioceses have produced their own ones.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• Image: Wikimedia Commons

Lennon Cihak, 17, was on track to be confirmed at Assumption Church, Barnesville — until parish priest Father Gray LaMoine saw the teenager's photo in a same-sex Facebook post.

The photo showed Lennon beside a defaced sign intended to support a state constitutional amendment to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. Lennon had written "NO!" over the "Vote YES" message.

The proposed amendment was defeated in the November 6 ballot.

Lennon's mother, Shana, said she was called into a private conversation with Father LaMoine soon after the same-sex Facebook post was discovered and was told her son wouldn't be allowed to be confirmed.

"You kind of know the Catholic beliefs, but I never thought they would deny somebody confirmation because you weren't 100 per cent. I guess that's what shocks me," she said.

Her husband, Doug Cihak, agreed. "[Father LaMoine] was talking about ‘God doesn't believe in this'. Well, God created Lennon," he said.

Still, Doug Cihak insisted he was not mad at Father LaMoine, calling him just a "messenger" of the Church. The same could not be said for his wife, who told a reporter she didn't plan on returning to the church ever again. Her son nodded in agreement.

At the same time, Lennon said his faith had not faltered. "I don't want the Church to be put down. I don't want the Catholic religion to be put down," he said. "It's just the way the priest has things running. He's so strict. He won't loosen up about things."

In a letter to parishioners, Father LaMoine said Lennon chose to withdraw from confirmation after being confronted about his Facebook post, which rejected a central teaching of the Church.

Furthermore, the priest said, "even if he had not withdrawn from confirmation, there would be no choice but to remove Lennon, given his rejection of marriage as we understand it".

Sources:

Inforum

Park Rapids Enterprise

WDAY TV

Image: San Francisco Chronicle