what is 'called to love'?

‘Called to Love’ is the result of a partnership project between the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) and Healthy Respect, funded by the Scottish Executive through the departments of Health and Education.

The project was created in response to the Scottish Executive’s sexual health strategy and has seen the production of a range of teaching and support resources designed to empower Catholic secondary schools across Scotland in the effective delivery of an appropriate programme of Relationships and Moral Education (RME).

In January 2005 the Scottish Executive published ‘Respect and Responsibility: a Strategy and Action Plan for Improving Sexual Health’, which outlines a practical plan indicating what can be done by all relevant groups, including the Executive, health boards, local authorities, parents, faith groups, voluntary groups and others, in promoting positive sexual health. A key part in the implementation of this strategy is education, and ‘Respect and Responsibility’ states clearly that:

“All schools are expected to provide sex and relationships
education... consistent with the principles and aims of national guidance on the conduct of sex education.”

Catholic schools, as an integral part of the state education system, are therefore required to make adequate provision for sex education. Under statute, the Scottish Bishops are able to discern the content of any such programme, and to this end the Catholic Education Commission has produced ‘Guidance for the Teaching of Relationships and Moral Education to Catholic Children in Scotland’, a document that it used by all Catholic schools across Scotland in implementing appropriate resources and programmes of study, an entitlement outlined in the Scottish Executive’s guidance for the conduct of sex education in Scottish schools, referred to as ‘Circular 2/2001’:

“Religious authorities with a role in denominational education do provide guidance for
their denominational schools
and that right will continue as at present."

‘Called to Love’ provides support materials and training opportunities, specific to the needs of Catholic schools and in accordance with Catholic social teaching, for teachers, parents and other professionals who may be involved in the planning, development and delivery of school programmes. 'Called to Love' sets Relationships and Moral Education very firmly within a context of love, respect, responsibility and moral reasoning, placing great importance on the sacramental aspect of Marriage in a manner that is fully supportive of Church teaching and in keeping with the CEC Guidelines. The materials have now been made available to schools and can be ordered through SCES.