Catholic diocese begins 12-step program for people with same-sex attraction -- COURAGE Chapters

CatholicVote.org ^ | 11-19-11 | Thomas Peters

[Salvation]

Catholic diocese begins 12-step program for people with same-sex attraction

by Thomas Peters
1 day ago

Debates about homosexuality often include the claim that those who experience same-sex attraction are underserved in the community.

What you almost never will see, however, is people noting that the homosexual agenda further marginalizes people who experience SSA but who wish to live chastely. The majority of individuals who experience SSA but choose to lead chaste lives do not seek public attention because they are focused on living their lives, not drawing attention to their struggle.

The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, at the initiative of Bishop Michael Sheridan, is taking steps to begin ministering more effectively to this underserved community:

The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs is borrowing a page from Alcoholics Anonymous by launching a 12-step program that offers pastoral care and support for homosexuals.

“It’s not about therapy and not about activism,” said the Rev. Larry Brennan, diocese director of priest formation. “It’s about support.”

The Catholic Church views homosexual relations as a sin, but not homosexual thoughts. It expects those with same-sex attraction to be celibate.

… The [Courage] program has 110 chapters worldwide, including one in Denver, according to its website.

… “This is a population that is underserved,” Brennan said. “They are not comfortable with the gay agenda and not comfortable with family oriented (events).” [Colorado Springs Gazette]

Father John Harvey, the founder of Courage, recently passed away. Here is his obituary.

I believe it’s probably inevitable that someone will get flustered in the comment box that this program is “comparing homosexuality with alcoholism.” To me this is instead an example of people seeking help to change a pattern in their life they are unhappy with. And what I would really be interested in reading is what people who struggle with SSA but are attempting to live chastely think about this program.

[Salvation]

**The Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs, at the initiative of Bishop Michael Sheridan, is taking steps to begin ministering more effectively to this underserved community:**

Bravo!

[wagglebee]

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[ArchAngel1983]

They can start by rehabilitating the Jesuit Order of Priests first. Until then, the American (Kennedy/Pelosi) Catholic Church can go straight to. . . well you know! Before you break out the flame-throwers know that I’m a Catholic; one hell of a disenchanted Catholic.

[Retain Mike]

The Christian community is the only remaining hope of those seeking relief from the entrapment of same sex mental disorders. In 1973 decision the American Psychiatric Association (APA) removed homosexuality as a mental disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).

Removal followed a two year campaign Newsweek described as ongoing disruptive, chaotic attacks on psychiatrists and physiologists. Yet throughout these disruptive attacks, no academic papers arose at conferences refuting any research previously done. Eventually onslaughts forced sufficient abstentions, under-votes, and apprehensive responses for a third of APA’s 17,000 plus membership to approve removal.
After this decision, activists targeted leading individual researchers such as Dr. David Reuben, and Masters and Johnson to ensure perpetual sanctity for the APA action.

No research papers would again arise to confirm initial therapy success rates of 30% to 60 %, substantiating that 7 of 10 homosexuals could eventually walk away from the lifestyle. Persistent activism over 37 years enabled ubiquitous infiltration of academia thereby ensuring pre-ordained theses, approved flexibility in research designs, suitable human data points, and enchanting statistical enhancements.

Psychology and Psychiatry chose to relinquish scientific rigor for popular societal and political acclaim. With studies concerning homosexuality freed from objective analysis, advocates for social justice could rely upon base antidotal politics to dominate any debate.

[Colonel_Flagg]

The Catholic Church views homosexual relations as a sin, but not homosexual thoughts.

Indeed, but a curious position to take in light of Matthew 5:28. Or does that apply only to straights?

[Soothesayer]

They better prepare for the vandalism and violent riots from those wonderful peace-loving left wingers.

[Salvation]

You’re right there. Perhaps they have already experienced some of it in their home towns.

[SuziQ]

It's always amusing to me that homosexual activists bleat so hard against the Catholic Church. The Church has been more tolerant of them than any other religious organization in this country, precisely because of the "hate the sin, love the sinner" teaching.

The Church is also the only religious group of which I'm aware that did much of anything for people suffering with AIDS. There was a wing in a Catholic hospital, in New York City, designed specifically for people with AIDS, and John Cardinal O'Connor himself would come to minister to those men. He went once with a homosexual activist, and a news crew. He was the only one who went into the rooms of those with AIDS, holding hands with the men, and caring for them. The others stayed outside the rooms, because they were scared of catching the disease.

[Claud]

Yeah, that was a very bad choice of words. Lustful thoughts are always a sin no matter what.

I think what the author meant to say was the attraction by itself isn’t a sin. Men are attracted to women, after all, and there’s no sin in that.

[Salvation]

Thanks for that great story about John Cardinal O’Connor.

I dins it odd that the Catholic Church is beaten over the head so much, when we as Catholics with the aid of our Church do so much to help those in need. Including these people.

As you said, “Hate the sin; love the sinner.”

Christ died for ALL sinners!

[Salman]

I see they are not claiming to change "gay" to "straight", but rather providing support for celibacy.

Would it be too naive to ask if there is something similar for priests generally?

[Bigg Red]

Prayers up that this program is a success and becomes a beacon for other diocesesan programs.

[Bigg Red]

The Christian community is the only remaining hope of those seeking relief from the entrapment of same sex mental disorders.

&&&
You are so right. And look for the homosexual activists to step up their vile assaults on the Church. But Christ will prevail.

[Mrs. Don-o]

As for the ProAbort GayEnabler Kennedy Catholics going to hell: it seems they're well on their way...

Nevertheless, we should applaud, support and pray for those who are doing good (like Courage).

There's always a struggle going on inside the Church between the Faithful Faction and the Judas Faction. There always has been, from Day One. Do you expect it to be any different now? Jesus Himself said that as long as the Church exists on this earth, it will be like a dragnet that, very distressingly, picks up all kinds.

He knew then and He knows now. Do you think any of this is taking Him by surprise?

[CynicalBear]

>>Christ died for ALL sinners!<<

Christ died only for those who accept Him.

[Salvation]

“Many are called, few are chosen.”

[RichInOC]

“Hi, I’m Michael, and I’m a screaming queen.”
“HI, MICHAEL!”

[Salvation]

 

King James Version: Romans Chapter 5

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

[CynicalBear]

>>“Many are called, few are chosen.”<<

I was just doing some reading on my statement. It would appear I may need to look closer at that statement. It’s a little more complicated then what I have been thinking.

[Cronos]

Please note that Kennedy and Pelosi, the slime-balls are not representative of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church are the conservatives like you and the Pope who recently repeated that One of the key principles of Catholic social thought is known as the principle of subsidiarity. This tenet holds that nothing should be done by a larger and more complex organization which can be done as well by a smaller and simpler organization. In other words, any activity which can be performed by a more decentralized entity should be. This principle is a bulwark of limited government and personal freedom. It conflicts with the passion for centralization and bureaucracy characteristic of the Welfare State.