Learning about LIFE

Background


The Learning about L.I.F.E. program is based on sound theological, catechetical, and educational principles.  Some of the principles and foundational documents are found below.

The Charter:  Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal: The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, was issued in 2003 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in response to the sexual abuse crisis.  The Charter states:
"...Dioceses will establish ‘safe environment' programs...providing education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children."  

The Learning about L.I.F.E. program was created by Kathie Amidei and Sister Kieran Sawyer as one of the ways the Catholic community can fulfill the Charter's mandate.  The program provides material catechists and teachers can use to provide the required "education and training for children and youth".                           

Deus Caritas Est -- Encyclical by Benedict XVI 
The basic framework of the Learning about L.I.F.E. sessions is a gradual understanding by the children and their parents of the difference between the four kinds of human relationships represented by the acronym LIFE:  Love, Infatuation, Friendship, and Exploitation.  The reality of sexual abuse, as a severe form of exploitation, is presented in this context.  Deus Caritas Est, the first encyclical letter promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, also speaks of human relationships in these four categories.  The Holy Father uses the ancient Greek words Agape, Eros, and Philia to name the different kinds of love, and refers to sex without love as being debased and deceptive,  a mere commodity that is used and exploited.                (DCE 3 and 4)
To view the entire encyclical on the internet click Deus Caritas Est. 

Click here for a short summary of the encyclical that can be downloaded as a handout.

National Directory for Catechesis:   
The principles on which the LIFE program are based (see below) are in harmony with the National Directory for Catechesis published by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in 2005, which calls for catechesis that "includes instruction on the gift of human sexuality, its inherent goodness, and the proper place of that gift within the context of a faithful, fruitful, and lifelong marriage."  The Directory lists 19 components that are to be incorporated into catechesis on sexuality.  Those which specifically apply to the Learning about L.I.F.E. program are listed below. 

Catechesis which

  • Recognizes that the family is the most suitable environment for gradual education in human sexuality...
  • Recognizes that parents have the basic right, duty, and primary responsibility to provide education in human sexuality for their children...
  • Recognizes the duties of pastors and parish catechetical leaders to support and encourage parents to carry out their role as educators of their children in human sexuality.
  • Helps parents to teach their children that the positive values inherent in human sexuality derive from the dignity of each human person created in God's image...
  • Promotes marital fidelity and teaches that sexual intercourse is a moral and human good reserved for married spouses
  • Includes instruction on the immorality of ... all forms of sexual abuse
  • Helps parents to ensure that ... information regarding sexuality is provided in the broadest context of education for love.
                       National Directory for Catechesis, pp 177 and 178

Three Principles: The authors based the Learning about L.I.F.E. program on three controlling principles:

a)  that teaching on sexual abuse should be looked at in the wider context of positive, loving relationships, 
b)  that teaching on sexuality, positive or negative, should involve the parents working with their own children, and
                (See below the principles of family-based catechesis)
c)  that teaching on sexuality should be permeated with faith and rooted in the moral teachings of the Church.

Principles of Family Based Programming (as outlined by Kathie Amidei)

  • Parent-child interaction is the appropriate setting to teach and learn about topics involving faith and love, relationships and sexuality. 
  • Parental love is an untapped power that should be harnessed for teaching children about these important topics. 
  • Parents know best how to approach these sensitive topics with their own children. 
  • Parents want to have meaningful conversations with their own children on the topics of relationships and sexuality. They don't always know how to do that.  They appreciate any help we can give them in this area. 
  • It is easier for families to have these discussions if they are surrounded by other families and they are given a set process to follow.
  • The formal parent-child session structures "Intentional Conversations" that should be happening within each family but may not be.  
  • The formal parent-child session begins an ongoing conversation  that can be integrated into family life.  Once the topic is introduced, it becomes safe and comfortable to continue the discussion within the family.

Catechetical Formation for Chaste Living 

In 2008 the USCCB published the document Catechetical Formation for Chaste Living.  The LIFE program, though written before this document was published, seems to the authors to be in keeping with the principles and concepts of this important new document.  To download the Chaste Living document click here.