By Cl. Ian Pinto for BISMumbai

The community of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Pune, hosted a seminar on sexual ethics on 20 August 2022. The seminar was conducted by Fr Matthew Coutinho, a scholar in moral theology and professor at the Jerusalem campus of the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome.

The seminar catered to a small group of select individuals. There were 15 in total consisting of lay religious and a few members of the Jesus Youth. Fr Coutinho focused his presentation on two core issues in bio-ethics: Abortion and Artificial Reproductive Technologies (ART). He explained the science behind the issue and also presented the Church’s teaching on the same. The use of videos along with his animated presence broke the monotony of the session and made it interesting for the participants. The presentation was clear and the participants were able to grasp the morality behind the respective issue under discussion and understand the Church’s position. This fulfilled a double purpose: not only was information transmitted but so was a pastoral approach.

After each session there was time for questions and clarifications. During those periods Fr Coutinho shared experiences and ideas that he had come across or nurtured in his own life. The intention behind organizing this seminar was to equip pastoral workers to address such issues in their ministry.