SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, JAN 13 (ZENIT).- Fr. Richard Welch, President of Human Life International, has challenged the leaders of a symposium hosted by the University of Puerto Rico to a public debate. He claims that the symposium is presenting a false and dangerous image of human sexuality to the young people in attendence.

    The forum was held from Februay 9-11. Speakers included prostitutes from various countries speaking on the "criminalization" of sexuality, such as pornography and prostitution, and affiliates of Planned Parenthood explaining "services" in sexual matters. A government minister also explained about the U.S. Territory's sex education programs.

    Fr. Welch said that the University "has given a wide forum to prostitution, pornography, sexual experimentation, abortion and contraception. Is this what education is about? What sex educators are really doing is raising a generation without God, a generation taught too soon about the mechanics of sex and not taught at all about God's Plan for love and intimacy."

    According to the priest, this is ultimately a question of parents' rights and responsibilities. "I am asking parents to say NO to sex education. Parents have the primary and grave responsibility to teach their children about human sexuality, and that means a teaching based on moral principles and the tender ages of the children."

    Fr. Welch, who served as a parish priest in Puerto Rico for 12 years, concluded, "Let's see if the leaders of this symposium can stand up to the truth. Let's bring this debate into the public forum and let people hear and decide what is best for their children." ZE00020823