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The box below shows how many parishes have recevied permission from the Archbishop to use the Formation in Christian Chastity program. If a parish is not on this list, it may be in the process of receiving permission, or more likely is using the controversial Talking About Touching program.

Parishes Using FICC

52

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Quotable

"Parents are the first and most important educators of their children, and they also possess a fundamental competency in this area: they are educators because they are parents."
-Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality #23

What Every Parent Needs to Know About the Safe Environment Program In Our Archdiocese

  1. Why are safe environment programs being implemented in our archdiocese?
  2. How will this affect my children?
  3. What safe environment curricula have been chosen for our kids?
  4. Why are many parents in the archdiocese concerned about this?
  5. What can parents do about this?

1. Why are safe environment programs being implemented in our archdiocese?

The safe environment programs are being implemented to make our archdicoese compliant with the U.S. Bishops 2002 Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

2. How will this affect my children?

If you have children attending Catholic schools or religious education programs in the archdiocese, they will be exposed to the safe environment curriculums that the diocese has approved.

3. What safe environment curricula have been chosen for our kids?

There is much confusion surrounding this question. While Virtus packets were sent home to all parents in the archdicoese, Virtus is only being used for adult education and training. There are several different programs being used for kids. According to the archdiocese, the official programs are:

Adults: Virtus
Grades
9-12: 		St. Mary's Press "Creating Safe and Sacred Spaces."
Grades
5-8: 		KidWISE Institute Inc.'s "Out of Harm's Way: Personal Safety Curriculum"
Grades
Preschool-4: 		Talking About Touching

4. Why are many parents in the archdiocese concerned about this?

Most of the concern centers around the Talking About Touching program being used from Preschool to 4th grade because it presents several graphic scenarios to children that many parents feel are not age appropriate. The curriculum for grades 5-8 has not been developed yet.

5. What can parents do about this?

Archbishop Flynn has graciously given pastors the option to petition for permission to use an alternative program to Talking About Touching. If you are concerned about Talking About Touching, you should share your concerns with other parents in your parish and approach your pastor about seeking permission to use an alternative program such as the Formation in Christian Chastity Program (FICC).


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