As a classical school in the Catholic tradition, Emerald Heights Academy upholds and teaches the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

 

Scripture and Tradition

We believe in the twin pillars of God’s Revelation, Holy Scripture and Apostolic Tradition.

 

"Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then, are bound closely together, and communicate one with the other. For both of them, flowing out from the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing, and move towards the same goal." Each of them makes present and fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ, who promised to remain with his own "always, to the close of the age". CCC 80

 

The Magisterium of the Church

"The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ."⁴⁷ This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome. CCC 85

 

Human Beings Made in the Image of God

Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons. And he is called by grace to a covenant with his Creator, to offer him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give in his stead. CCC 357

 

Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender

We believe that God defined marriage as the life-long covenant between one man and one woman. (Gen. 2:24; Matt 19:4-6; CCC 1660) and that all forms of sexual activity outside marriage are sin (1 Cor. 6:15-7:6; Eph. 5:3-7; CCC 2351) We believe that God immutably creates each person to reflect his image as biologically male or female (Gen. 1:26-31; 2:18-25; 5:1-2; CCC 2333). In the specific areas of marriage, gender, and sexuality, our goal is to love students by leading them into God’s plan. In carrying out this calling, we believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; CCC 357).

 

Everyone, man and woman, should acknowledge and accept his sexual identity. Physical, moral, and spiritual difference and complementarity are oriented toward the goods of marriage and the flourishing of family life. The harmony of the couple and of society depends in part on the way in which the complementarity, needs, and mutual support between the sexes are lived out. CCC 2333