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Catechists learn how to talk with teenagers about sex

Information is essential for teenagers who are curious about sex because parents are reluctant to talk about the issue
Catechists learn how to talk with teenagers about sex

New catechists during their graduation ceremony on July 22 in Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese's pastoral center. (ucanews.com photo)

Published: July 26, 2017 09:35 AM GMT
Updated: July 26, 2017 09:38 AM GMT

Catechists in an archdiocese in southern Vietnam have been trained on how to best educate teenagers on sex.

About 400 catechists attended the week-long sex education for teenagers course held by the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese's Ministry Committee for Catechism July 17-22.

"The knowledge about sex education that we learned is very helpful for us to educate students to control their sexual desire," Dominic Nguyen Minh Hy, a catechist from Phat Diem parish.

Minh and the other catechists attending the course were given information on sex education, human dignity, sexual desire and affection, sex control, loyalty, real love and mutual respect.

Minh said such information is essential for teenagers who are curious about sex while their parents are reluctant to talk about the issue with them. "Without help from educators, youths will indulge in poisonous information found on the internet," said the 24-year-old.

Minh said he felt heartbroken when he saw a ninth grader leaving school because she got pregnant and another 13-year-old girl who had an abortion.

He said proper sex education aims to teach teenagers how to protect themselves from early sex and respect others' dignity. 

"It is important to apply sex education to catechism programs for youths in the coming school year," Minh said. Catholic youth will attend catechism classes in parishes in September.

Father Peter Nguyen Van Hien, head of the Ministry Committee for Catechism, said most catechists are embarrassed to talk about sexual issues, a taboo in Vietnamese culture. If it is done via catechism it is away from their daily life, and is an easier approach, he said.

"We aim to develop students' personality and sex education is part of faith education," said Father Hien.

The priest said the church could not deal with all challenges facing children but it could offer them a moral foundation to help them cope. "We can strengthen their internal force by giving them moral values, living skills and a helpful experience so to protect themselves and respect people's bodies and dignity," he said.

Sex education is a compulsory part of catechism program for children this year.

Father Hien said the committee, which officially came into operation in 2010, oversees sex education for adults, converts, teenagers, couples for marriage and people with a physical disability.

The committee also conducts three-year training courses for catechists.

The archdiocese has 6,000 catechists, most of them are lay volunteers without salaries.

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