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Title: Amoris Laetitia als Rahmen für eine christliche Sexualpädagogik?
Subtitle: Eine Analyse des nachsynodalen Schreibens
Author(s): GÄRTNER, Stefan
Journal: Marriage, Families & Spirituality
Volume: 22    Issue: 2   Date: 2016   
Pages: 217-233
DOI: 10.2143/INT.22.2.3194502

Abstract :
The apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia by Pope Francis does not address the conditions of a Christian sexual education in detail. Nevertheless, this article examines the question whether the letter still provides a good framework for it. The setting of the analysis is the German situation in youth ministry and religious education at school. Firstly, the genesis and the global content of Amoris laetitia are presented. In particular, the overall pastoral basis of the exhortation and the importance of the 'law of graduality' (Familiaris consortio) become clear. After that, love is worked out as the central principle for dealing with sexuality, but also for living human relationships in general, within and beyond marriage. This can also overcome the actual discrepancies between the everyday life of people and the moral teachings of the church. The pastoral constitution of the Second Vatican Council Gaudium et spes proves to be a key for understanding Amoris laetitia. The friendships of children and young people could focus on the basic principle of love, too. Sexual education therefore is a holistic learning according to the criteria of Christian anthropology and the concept of love. However, the concrete pedagogical repertoire provided by Amoris laetitia proves to be limited. This has to do with the magisterial caveat against young people practicing genital sexuality, with the central position of parents, traditional family and marriage in the exhortation, with its dominant caretaker perspective on children and youngsters, and with the focus on a mere transfer of values in ethical education.

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