Living in a climate of immorality

TWO announcements last week evoked very different responses from religious leaders.

The Catholic hierarchy was alarmed at the suggestion that the legal age of consent for sex is be reduced to 16. The bishops felt young people need to be protected from the trivialisation of sexuality which is so prevalent in contemporary society.

Others, while being concerned about the moral wellbeing of young people, questioned whether criminalising those who engaged in sexual behaviour was the best way to promote a healthy understanding of sexuality.