The Pastoral Letter below offers a response to a key theme that arose from the listening and dialogue sessions, held around the diocese in fall of 2022, which is a desire from those in ministry for clarification on the Church’s teaching and a desire for resources to reference when questions arise. The content of the letter is an articulation of the Church’s constant teaching concerning the dignity of the human person and the goodness of the human body.

_{(excerpt from Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, Bishop of Oakland, note to Pastors/Parochial Administrators dated 9/29/23)}