29. THE CHURCH AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS. For the Church, the first responsibility is the
constant, clear teaching of the faith and, therefore, of objective moral truth,
including the truth about sexual morality. In an era of permissiveness and
moral confusion, this requires that the Church be a prophetic voice and, often,
a sign of contradiction. The so-called "ethic" of immediate personal
gratification is fundamentally opposed to integral human growth and
fulfillment. Education for family life and indeed for responsible life in
society requires formation in chastity and self-discipline. By contrast,
pornography and wanton violence can blind individuals to the divine image in
the human person, can weaken marriage and family life and can do serious harm
to individuals and to society itself. Wherever possible, the Church must join
with other churches, denominations and religious groups in teaching and
fostering this message. It must also make the best possible use of its own
institutions and personnel to give education and formation concerning the media
of social communications and their proper role in individual and social life.
Special attention should be given to assisting parents in their efforts.
Thus, media education belongs in Catholic schools and other educational
programs, in seminaries, 8 in formation programs of religious and
secular institutes, in the continuing formation of priests and in parish
programs for youth and adults. Priests and Religious in pastoral and
educational work should themselves be discrimating consumers of media who give
good example in what they read and view.
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