Salvadoran Archbishop denounced distribution of condoms and contraceptives in schools

San Salvador, El Salvador, Sep 13, 2004 / 22:00 pm

Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle denounced this week the plans by various associations as well as by the Ministry of Health to distribute condoms and contraceptives to students as part of a sexual orientation campaign.

The archbishop slammed the Fundasida and Among Friends associations for expanding their sexual orientation campaigns to include the distribution of condoms, contraceptives and pamphlets that “are too explicit about the issue” to adolescents.

Several days ago, the archbishop also denounced similar actions by the government’s Ministry of Health.  On that occasion, Archbishop Saenz Lacalle said that in many cases, school principals and teachers have approved the sexual material

“This is very disgusting.  Condoms and contraceptives were included with the pamphlets,” said Archbishop Saenz Lacalle.

“Such is the case with the San Jose Las Flores School, where officials from the Ministry of Health, I suppose with the consent of the principal and teachers, distributed not only condoms, but also contraceptive pills that are potentially abortifacient,” he denounced.

The archbishop called for respect for children and adolescents, saying healthy sexual education which teaches young people moral values and about the negative consequences of contraceptives should be promoted instead.