Statement on the Human Person, Sex, and Human Sexuality

As a faithfully Catholic institution of higher education, Benedictine College fully embraces all teachings of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the human person, sex, and human sexuality, as set forth by the Magisterium.  Certain key elements of those teachings, include the following:

The Nature of the Human Person

Every human person is created by God in His likeness and image. Every human person is a unity of body, mind, and spirit, called to live in virtuous harmony with God and neighbor. The perfect model for humanity is Jesus Christ.

The Dignity and Sanctity of Human Life

From the very moment of conception and through natural death, every human life is sacred, has innate dignity, and must be treated with respect, justice, and compassion.

The Nature of Sex and Sexual Identity

God creates each human person as either male or female.  “Sex” or “sexual identity” refers to the objective reality of a human person as a man or a woman, grounded in and determined by his or her biology.  Sex is constant and unchangeable.  It is not “assigned” by other human beings, nor it is determined by one’s internal sense or feeling of “gender.”  The College believes that all are called to accept their sex or sexual identity.

Sexuality and Sexual Relations

Certain kinds of physical affection, including sexual intercourse, are reserved exclusively for marriage between a man and a woman.  Engaging in those behaviors outside the context of marriage is contrary to Church teaching and the dignity of the human person.  Sexual affection or romantic relationships of any kind between persons of the same sex are inconsistent with God’s plan for human sexuality and contrary to human dignity.  Any sexual acts that debase the human person, are always contrary to human dignity.

Expectations for the College Community

All members of the College community are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with, and not undermine, all the Catholic Church’s teachings on the human person, sex, and human sexuality, including those points emphasized here.  Conduct that is inconsistent with these teachings, or that is intended to actively or publicly undermine them, is subject to pastoral, educational, or corrective action under the Student Handbook, Employee Handbook, and/or Faculty Handbook, as the case may be.  At the same time, the College recognizes that the journey to holiness is marked by temptation, struggles, and falls, and calls upon all members of our community to respond to human weakness with charity, mercy, and compassion.