OECTA/OCSTA AQ Courses in Religious Education

Halton Catholic District School Board

Part III: Moral Ethics

Session/Year: Summer 2012
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 12:00pm
Site: Assumption Catholic Secondary School
Course Instructor: Catherine Wright
Contact: ca.wright@mail.utoronto.ca

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course aims to continue the development of a vibrant ethical literacy in Catholic teachers,
specifically in the area of sexual ethics. This course continues the exploration of ethical language,
sources, norms, methods and concerns that help foster ethical consciousness when dealing with
the moral challenges teachers face in their personal, social, school, and church/religious lives.
Topics will include: the vocation of Catholic education; Catholic social teaching; creation centred
spirituality and embodiment; sacramental dimensions of sexuality; the integration of family,
school, and parish life. These areas will be explored via group presentations, case studies,
lectures, plenary discussions, contemporary film analysis, personal reflection, and critical text
analysis. Evaluation takes the form of a short text engagement paper, film reflection paper,
practical integration task, and group case study.

COURSE AT A GLANCE: SUMMER 2012

INTRODUCTION & FOUNDATIONS

July 11: Roman Catholic Sexual Ethics

July 12: A History of Christian Sexual Ethics

July 14: Mutually Empowering Love: The Living Heart of Sexuality

July 16: Creation Centred Spirituality and Sexual Ethics

ISSUES & CRITIQUES

July 18: God Became a Little Child: Implications for Family, School, and Parish Life

July 19: Sexual Ethics as Sacrament - Case Studies

GOALS
The course will provide the course participants with:
♦ the fundamental moral principles, Catholic sources, ethical norms, and theological
methods for engaging in moral ethics and comprehend the complexities of current
issues and debates within the discipline of sexual ethics
♦ the opportunity to cultivate the skills needed to faithfully and fruitfully reflect on
moral life, engage ethical challenges, dialogue with or mediate between different
views, and offer guidance to students in their classes
♦ the understanding of how Christian ethical reflection contributes to transformative
relations and practices of seeking justice (communal right relatedness in creation) and
to loving God, self, neighbours/strangers and creation.
♦ the background knowledge and critical thinking skills to appreciate more deeply the
Catholic response to the challenges besetting our youth who are living in a global,
evolutionary, and consumer driven society
♦ the space to formulate personal responses to issues within sexual ethics as they
continue on their spiritual pilgrimage within their vocation as a Catholic teacher

OBJECTIVES
The participants will be able to:
♦ appreciate and describe the historical factors contributing to the formulation of
principles, norms and values within sexual ethics, including the cosmological and
theological paradigms that have played a role in that history;
♦ review, analyze and critique the various sources and voices that contribute to the
Catholic ethical discourse concerning sexuality;
♦ describe and evaluate potential responses to the issues in sexual ethics as it relates to
Catholic education, Catholic schools, family and parish life
♦ experience and contribute to a practical integration of Catholic moral teachings in
their classrooms, homes and parishes and be equipped to respectfully and faithfully
engage others in discourse in sexual ethics.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Ethical questions, especially in the area of sexual ethics, are important ones and are very personal
part of our bio-spiritual journeys. As such emotions can run high. As is taught in Part I and II of
Moral Ethics, studying ethics is not purely a theoretical pursuit or merely a matter of reading and
learning concepts and ideas. It is equally a matter of engaging others about their beliefs and
perspectives, while seeking to articulate your own. Thus, every effort will be made to cultivate a
justice oriented, inclusive Christian community of faith within which each voice is heard and
every person treated with dignity and respect - the living essence of the Catholic social teachings
we will be exploring. As participant in an adult learning process, it is an expectation that course
participants will be involved in all class activities and that they will contribute to a healthy,
faithful, and fruitful context for learning.
REQUIRED READING
Each week, there is at least one required reading that all students must read prior to class in order
that our class discussions are fruitful and reflect a specialist level of comprehension and
synthesis. There are also a list of supplementary readings that provide added depth to the required
reading, or challenge its perspective and/or assumptions. The students are encouraged to read at
least one supplementary reading each week, if possible.

EVALUATION
Each of the following assignments must be completed at a “satisfactory level” to successfully
complete this strand: short text engagement paper; film reflection paper; practical integration
task; group presentation of a case study in sexual ethics. A rubric will be given for each of the
different assignments in order to effectively communicate the expectations a participant must
meet to attain a “satisfactory level” of completion. All assignments must be complete and
addressed skilfully and conscientiously in order to achieve this strand. Lack of participation,
lateness, absenteeism, and incomplete assignments are grounds for participants being given a
“deferred status.” Some of the articles used in this course—especially those of a less
contemporary nature—lack gender inclusive language. Nevertheless, students are expected to
use gender inclusive language at all times. Please refer to the class handout on bibliographic and
footnote styles. All papers must be submitted by the end of the course unless pre-arranged with
the course instructor.

Short Text Engagement Paper: Each day there will be a series of questions to answer concerning
the required readings. Within small reading groups, the text will be analysed, answers will
compiled, and in a plenary session, wisdom gained shared as a class. Following one of these
engagement periods, a participant to write a two page engagement paper that uses the answers
from the text, class discussion, and personal reflection to addresses the following: Does this
particular topic or reading material impact any areas of your vocation as a Catholic educator or in
your personal life? Why (and then explain how) or Why not (and explain this)?

Film Reflection Paper: This four page reflection paper will provide an brief overview of any issue
or concept raised in the course (making use of two sources) that connects with an idea, theme, or
scene in a contemporary film (chosen by the class). This paper has a two fold purpose: a) to
continue honing the participant’s synthesis skills – e.g.: effectively weaving personal ideas,
thoughts, feelings together with theological sources presented in the readings by respected
theologians and Catholic Magisterium; b) to begin to recognise movements in our social sense of
vocation, commitment and ethics by analysing the messages presented in film - a mirror on
societal values and norms.

Practical Integration Task:

This task offers participants with an opportunity to explore and experience a spiritual, prayerful,
creative and practical application of themes, ideas, concepts introduced in this course. The intention
is to take the academic or theoretical learning of the classroom and expand it to include a more
personal, spiritual, and creative encounter with the concepts and issues of the course. A celebration
of this practical integration will occur as a community on the last day of the course.

Group Presentation of Case Study:

This will be an oral presentation of a case study that involves one of the following areas of sexual
ethics: IVF; Stem Cells; Disability; Palliative Care; Euthanasia. Each must include the following
elements: a) a clear, precise, comprehensive overview of the issue that includes aspects from
science and contemporary society’s understanding of the issue; b) the ethical language,
principles, and norms involved with this issue (e.g.: Vision, Values, Obligations); c) the Catholic
sources for discerning ethical practise, especially the Catholic social teachings concerning this
issue; d) the impact of this issue on Catholic education and Catholic educators. Participants are
expected to use their expertise and creativity as professionally trained communicators to cultivate
a safe, respectful, and faith-filled environment where as peers, participants can share their
knowledge and thoughts concerning moral theology and contemporary issues.

COURSE OUTLINE
Wednesday July 11, 2012: Introduction to Sexual Ethics and Administrative Tasks
Learning Objectives:
The student will be able to:
• articulate the goals, objectives and method of evaluation for the course;
• describe the notion of sexual ethics and its value;
• reflect on their own understanding of sexuality, gender, marriage, family, and
embodiment as a vehicle for God’s revelation.

Overview of Class:
Opening Prayer
Introductions
Administration Items: Course Requirements and Evaluations
Introduction to Sexuality and Ethics
Choosing of Contemporary Case Study in Sexual Ethics (Group)
Praxis: Take some time to Reflect upon your vision, values, and commitments with respect to
sexual ethics. How is your own embodiment a vehicle of God’s revelation

Supplemental Reading:
Moira McQueen, “Bioethics from a Roman Catholic Perspective” in Bioethics Matters: A Guide
for Concerned Catholics (Ottawa: Novalis, 2008), 11-41.
Richard M. Gula, “I Have Called You By Name, You Are Precious to Me” in The Good Life :
Where Morality and Spirituality Converge (New York: Paulist Press, 1999), 34-47.
Beverly Wildung Harrison, “Doing Christian Ethics” in Justice in the Making: Feminist Social
Ethics (London: Westminister John Knox Press, 2004), 30-37.
Thursday July 12, 2012: A History of Sexual Ethics
Focus Questions:
Who are the key protagonists in the development of Christian principles of sexual ethics? What
cultural factors have influenced the understanding of sexuality over the centuries? How can
knowing the historical roots of Catholic sexual ethics impact or guide a Catholic moral
theologian living and loving in the twenty-first century?

Learning Objectives:
Course participants will be able to:
• understand the task of the moral theologian in the twenty-first century
• articulate the history of the ethical discourse concerning sexuality in the Western
Christian tradition
• investigate underlying assumptions (visions and values) that involve bodies in
relation, especially differently abled bodies

Overview of Class:
Opening Prayer Service
Group Work: Critical Analysis of Richard Gula, Margaret Farley, and Jackie Scully
Plenary Discussion
Film: Bella
Conversation concerning of ethical themes or approaches presented in the film and text materials
Praxis: Find one item in the media (paper, online, film clip etc...) that relates to your groups
contemporary issue in sexual ethics

Required Reading:
Richard M. Gula, “The Task of the Moralist” in Reason Informed by Faith: Foundations of
Catholic Morality (New York: Paulist Press, 1989), 13-24
Margaret A. Farley, “Sexual Ethics in the West - Historical Perspective” Just Love : A
Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics (New York: Continuum International Pub. Group,
2006), 26-56.
Jackie Scully, “When Embodiment isn’t Good” in Theology and Sexuality, 5, no.9 (Sept. 1998),
10-28.

Supplemental Reading:
Joel Shuman and Brian Volck, Chapter Three, “Life as a Body” in Reclaiming the Body:
Christians and the Faithful Use of Modern Medicine (Michigan: Brazos Press, 2006),
41-62.
Jean Vanier, “What Have People with Learning Disabilities Taught Me?” in Hans
S. Reinders, The Paradox of Disability : Responses to Jean Vanier and L'arche
Communities from Theology and the Sciences (Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans
Pub. Co., 2010), 19-24.
Pamela Cushing, “Disability Attitudes, Cultural Conditions, and the Moral Imagination” in
Reinders, The Paradox of Disability, 75-93.
Friday July 14, 2013: Mutually Empowering Love: The Living Heart of Sexuality
Focus Questions:
How does the Catholic Church understand human personhood? How does this compare with
cultural, social, economic, and political understandings of personhood in our globalized,
consumer driven human society? What is at stake for the most vulnerable? Who benefits from
modern society’s vision of personhood? Why? How should this impact Catholic educational
practices?

Learning Objectives:
Course participants will be able to:
• find and engage with Catholic social teachings on the Vatican Website
• articulate the core principles expressing the value and inviolability of human life
• connect the values, vision and obligations outlined in Evangelium Vitae to the
discernment of ethical practise in their classrooms and families

Opening Prayer Service

Group Work: Critical Analysis of Evangelium Vitae and Gaudium et Spes.
Read: “Lori and Ben’s Story” in Sue Mosteller, CSJ, Life Through the Crack: Life After Loss
(New York: Doubleday Image Books, 2006), 25-43
Plenary Session: Life and Love with special guest Teresa Hartnett, Director of Family Ministry
for Hamilton Diocese
Film: Bella
Conversation concerning of ethical themes or approaches presented in the film and text materials
Praxis: Start navigating Vatican Website to find materials addressing your group’s case study

Required Readings:
Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 1995 - Chapters One and Two. Available at: http://
www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-
ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae_en.html. Accessed September, 2011.
Pope Paul VI, Gaudium et Spes, 1965 - Introduction and Chapter One (Dignity of the Human
Person). Available at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/
documents/vat-ii_cons_19651207_gaudium-et-spes_en.html. Accessed September, 2011.

Supplemental Reading:
Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Donum Vitae, Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and
on the Dignity of Procreation (Feb. 22, 1987). Available at: http://www.vatican.va/
roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19870222_respect-for-
human-life_en.html. Accessed at: September, 2011.
Moira McQueen, “Reproductive Technologies” in Bioethics Matters: A Guide for Concerned
Catholics (Ottawa: Novalis, 2008), 45-68.
Leo Walsh, CSB, STD, “Humanae Vitae” in Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute Bioethics
Matters, 7, no.1 (Feb 2009), 1-2.
Senator Sharon Carstairs, “Still Not There.” Canadian Palliative Care Progress Report available
at: http://www.chpca.net/media/7883/Still_Not_There_June_2005.pdf. Accessed July 2011.
Government of Canada, “Raising the Bar: A Roadmap for the Future of Palliative Care in
Canada,” available at http://www.chpca.net/media/7859/Raising_the_Bar_June_2010.pdf.
Accessed July, 2011.
Senator Terry M., Mercer, “State of Palliative Care” (Feb, 2011) available at http://
www.forumdessenateursliberaux.ca/In-The-Senate/Statement/12948_State-of-Palliative-
Care--Inquiry. Accessed July, 2011.
Daniela Lamas, M.D., and Lisa Rosenbaum, M.D., “Painful Inequities — Palliative Care in
Developing Countries” in New England Journal of Medicine (January 19, 2012). Available
at http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1113622. Accessed October, 2013.
Pope John Paul II. “Twenty first century Slavery: The Human Rights Dimension to Trafficking in
Human Beings.” May 15, 2002. Available at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/
john_paul_ii/letters/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_20020515_tauran_en.html. Accessed
September 2011.
Vatican (various contributors), Normae de gravioribus delictis. Norms and modifications page:
“Abuse of Minors: The Church’s Response.” http://www.vatican.va/resources/
index_en.htm. Accessed October, 2013.
Archdiocese of Toronto, Sexual Abuse Policy. Available at: http://www.archtoronto.org/
safeenvironment/index.htm. Accessed October, 2013.

Monday July 16, 2012: Creation Centred Spirituality and Sexual Ethics
Focus Questions:
How does science and the new cosmology presented by passionate priest Thomas Berry and
others impact how we envision human bodies in relation in religion? What principles would
guide a sexual ethic in an Ecozoic era? What ethical principles would encourage mutually
enhancing relations among the many planetary bodies in relation? How can humans, in a twenty-
first century evolutionary world live and love in ways that are faithful and fruitful in an
ecological and cosmic perspective? How can the Catholic Church be a guiding light in this new
understanding of human personhood and mutually empowering sexual ethics?

Learning Objectives:
Course participants will be able to:
• articulate the various ethical perspectives that have guided humanity’s relationship
with the rest of creation during the millennia;
• discern between an anthropocentric and a biocentric ecological ethic
• identify the outcomes of the anthropocentric perspectives with respect to sexual
ethics
 • formulate an “ecological” sexual ethic and the guidelines that would foster a
mutually enhancing relationship between humans and the rest of the ecosystemic
community

Overview of Class:
Opening Prayer Service
Group Work: Critical Analysis of Pope John Paul II, Thomas Berry, and Dorothee Soelle
Plenary Session
Film: Bella
Opportunity to synthesize course and film materials
Praxis: Reflect on your place in the universe and identify areas where you feel that you engage in
mutually empowering relations with other “bodies” (human, animal, biotic, abiotic)

Required Reading:
Pope John Paul II and The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. “Common Declaration On
Environmental Ethics,” Rome – Venice: 10 June 2002. Available at: http://www.vatican.va/
holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/2002/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20020610_venice-
declaration_en.html. Accessed on: August 25, 2002.
Thomas Berry, “Ethics and Ecology,” Paper delivered to the Harvard Seminar on Environmental
Values at Harvard University (April 9, 1996), 1-10. Available online at http://ecoethics.net/
ops/eth&ecol.htm. Accessed Sept, 2011.
Thomas, Berry, “The Ecozoic Era.” Ecozoic Reader 2, no. 3 (Spring, 2002): 3-17. Also available
at: http://www.ecozoicstudies.org/
Dorothee Soelle, “Created in God’s Image” in Dorothee Soelle and Shirley Cloyes, To Work and
To Love: A Theology of Creation (New York: Fortress Press, 1984), 37-53.

Supplemental Readings:
White, Lynn, Jr. “The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis.” Science 155 (1967):
1203-1207. Also available at: http://www.zbi.ee/~kalevi/lwhite.htm
Lanzetta, Beverly. “Contemplative Ethics: Intimacy, Amor Mundi and Dignification in Julian of
Norwich and Teresa of Avila.” Spiritus 5, no. 1 (Spring 2005): 1 – 18.
United Nations. “The Earth Charter.” (March 2000). http://www.earthcharter.org/files/charter/
charter.pdf. Accessed Dec. 1, 2004.
Denis Edwards, Made from Stardust. North Blackburn (Victoria: Collins Dove, 1992).
Brian Swimme and Thomas Berry. The Universe Story (New York: Harper Collins, 1992).

Wednesday July 18, 2012:

God Became a Little Child: Implications for Family, School, and Parish Life
Focus Questions:
How does our understanding of the Incarnation impact our understanding of caring for those at
the beginning, middle and end of life? How does this transform how we see family, school and
parish life? How interconnected and interdependent are these realities and how are they
nourished by our faith in God incarnate? What is the nature and purpose of, as well obligations
to, the children and elderly in our communities of faith?

Learning Objectives:
Course participants will be able to:
• articulate how children and the elderly are viewed in the Catholic ethical tradition;
• illuminate some issues effecting children, parents, the elderly, and the sick and
dying in our world today such as poverty, exploitation, dehumanization, abuse, and
injustice;
• investigate underlying visions, values, and principles articulated by the Ontario
Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario statements concerning same-sex
orientation and Catholic responses in our Catholic Schools;
• explore the document “Respecting Difference” prepared by the Ontario Catholic
School Trustees’ Association concerning students of same sex orientation in
Catholic schools;

Overview of Class:
Opening Prayer Service
Group Work: Critical Analysis of Bishops’ Statements, Trustees’ Association Document, Shuman
and Volk, Moira McQueen, and USCCB
Plenary Session: Ministering Faithfully to our Students of Same Sex Orientation with our special
guest Katharine Stevenson (School Board Catholic Curriculum Consultant)
Praxis: Work on Dramatic Presentations

Required Readings:
Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario Statements (January 19, 2010; October 4, 2010;
January 14, 2011; April 15, 2011; May 28, 2011)
Ontario Catholic Trustees’ Association, Respecting Difference, January 25, 2012.
Joel Shuman and Brian Volck, Chapter Three, “What Are Children For” in Reclaiming the Body:
Christians and the Faithful Use of Modern Medicine (Michigan: Brazos Press, 2006),
79-93.
Moira McQueen, “Catholic Teaching on Living Life Until the End” in Bioethics Matters: A
Guide for Concerned Catholics (Ottawa: Novalis, 2008), 87-96.
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “A Place at the Table: A Catholic Recommitment
to Overcome Poverty and to Respect the Dignity of All God’s Children,” Issued by USCCB
November 13, 2002. Available at: http://old.usccb.org/bishops/table.shtml. Accessed
September, 2011.

Supplemental Readings:
Herbert Anderson and Edward Foley, “Welcoming the Child” in Mighty Stories, Dangerous
Rituals: Weaving Together the Human and the Divine (San Francisco, Jossey-BassInc.,
1998), 57-74
Pope Paul VI, Gravissimum Educationis (Declaration on Christian Education), Rome: October
28, 1965. Available at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/
documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_gravissimum-educationis_en.html. Accessed on:
September 2011.
Jean Vanier, “Introduction” and “Day One: I Want to Stay in Your Home (Luke 19)” in
Befriending the Stranger (Toronto: Novalis, 2005), 1-23.
Robert J. Wicks, “Deep Gratefulness” in Living a Gentle, Passionate Life (New Jersey, Paulist
Press, 1998), 116-121.
Moira McQueen, “End of Life Issues” in Bioethics Matters: A Guide for Concerned Catholics
(Ottawa: Novalis, 2008), 71-84.
Pope John Paul II, Address to the Participants at the International Congress on “Assistance to the
Dying,” Osservatore Romano (March 18, 1992), n.5.
Pope John Paul II, Letter to the Elderly, 1999. Available at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/
john_paul_ii/letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_01101999_elderly_en.html. Accessed
September, 2011.
Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, Declaration on Euthanasia, May, 1980. Available at
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/
rc_con_cfaith_doc_19800505_euthanasia_en.html. Accessed September, 2011.

Thursday July 19, 2013: Sexual Ethics as Sacrament

Focus Questions:
How does our understanding of the sexual ethics and sacramental life intersect? How can our
sacramental principles illuminate the way for a healthier understanding of our bodies in relation?
How is power dealt with in sexual ethics and sacramental theology?

Learning Objectives:
Course participants will be able to:
• articulate how particular issues in sexual ethics are addressed in our home, school
and parish life;
• communicate effectively the Catholic social teaching concerning pertinent issues in
sexual ethics;
• reflect on the personal and professional involvement in Catholic sexual ethics

Overview of Class:
Opening Prayer Service
Presentations
Course Evaluations

Supplemental Readings:
Elizabeth S. Tapia, “Earth Spirituality and the People’s Struggle for Life: Reflections from the
Perspectives of Indigenous Peoples,” The Ecumenical Review 54, no. 3 (July 2002): 219 –
227.
Gail Worcelo, “Discovering The Divine Within The Universe,” Earth Light, no. 39 (Fall 2000).
Available at: http://www.earthlight.org/essay39_worcelo.html
Pope Benedict XVI, “Commentary on Psalm 135(136):10-26 – “To the God of Heaven, Give
Thanks.”” Vatican City: November 16, 2005. Available at: http://www.vatican.va/
holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2005/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20051116_en.html
Social Affairs Commission, “You love all that exists….” Canadian Conference of Catholic
Bishops, Ottawa. (October 4, 2003). Available at: http://www.cccb.ca/Files/
pastoralenvironment.pdf. Accessed Dec. 1, 2004.