Apropos of yesterday's post about the hypothetical dilemma of "the pregnant student at the Christian school," here is one Catholic high school's life-affirming policy, informed by the policy set by the Catholic diocese of Lafayette (LA).
As represented (I've added paragraph breaks) by the school website:
Diocesan Policy adopted in the spring of 1999 reads as follows:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reaffirms the teaching of Christ regarding chastity in stating:“All the baptized are called to chastity. The Christian has ‘put on Christ,’ the model for all chastity. All Christ’s faithful are called to lead a chaste life in keeping with their particular states of life.”
As we continue to form young men and women in their baptismal commitments through Catholic education, each educator within our school system should take an active part in teaching the virtue of chastity. When a student or unmarried faculty member has not lived according to the virtue of chastity and the sexual act results in an unwed pregnancy, the clergy and the principal are to counsel and offer pastoral care to those involved. Counseling should include the added responsibilities of the new parents, which will arise, with the birth of the child(ren).
While premarital sex is wrong, the pregnancy is a gift from God, and unless the sex act occurs on campus or at a school-sponsored event, students may not be penalized or punished by the school. A female student who becomes pregnant may continue her education on-campus unless her own physical, spiritual or psychological state requires at least temporary withdrawal and the beginning of a course of home study.As one major concern is for the health and safety of the pregnant girl while attending school, the student shall furnish a Pregnancy Status Report to the Administration as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed and then at least every six weeks thereafter. If this form is not completed or if it is not submitted within the time frame set forth, the principal may consult the appropriate people and then take whatever action is deemed suitable to ensure that the health and safety of the young lady involved is protected.
Seems in accord with justice and mercy to me. It's true that "unless her own ... spiritual, or psychological state" is a loophole one could drive a truck through, if you were a school administrator bent on punishing a student anyway; but a girl at least theoretically would have recourse to the diocese if she and her parents felt that this was happening.
The same page notes that procurement of an elective abortion is something for which students (male and female) are "liable to" expulsion. It would seem that this wording allows room for counsel and consideration of specific cases, while making it clear where the school's priorities are with respect for life.
Nice.
Posted by: Melanie B | 22 July 2017 at 08:33 PM
I'm glad to see this.
Posted by: Kathy | 26 July 2017 at 08:20 AM