Courage

N MARCH 1990, an interview with Father John Harvey, OSFS entitled "The Catholic Homosexual" was published by New Covenant. Asked to define the Catholic Church's teaching regarding homosexuality, Father Harvey responded, "Briefly, the Catholic Church regards homosexual activity as sinful but urges prayerful support for homosexuals seeking to deal with their condition. The most recent Church teaching on homosexuality can be found in the 1986 letter to bishops on the pastoral care of homosexual persons issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith... It is based on the impossibility of homosexual activity leading to procreation, the lack of any true physical union, and the violation of the physical structures of the body implicit in homosexual activity" (New Covenant, March 1990). Father Harvey also spoke about a Catholic organization called Courage, which he founded in 1980, to provide support to homosexual individuals "who desire to live a chaste lifestyle in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church." Courage is endorsed by the Holy See (Pontifical Council for the Family, 7 July 1994 - Prot. N. 216/93) and has chapters in 6 Canadian cities (including Winnipeg) and in 22 cities in the United States. Courage invites members to frequent participation in the sacraments, daily prayer and individual spiritual direction while embracing chastity. A priest serves as a chaplain. Courage also uses Alcoholics Anonymous' Twelve Step program. On December 6, 1994, Ken (not his real name) received approval from the Manitoba Conference of Catholic Bishops to establish a local chapter of Courage in Winnipeg. It currently meets twice a month. Ken first heard about Courage through the New Covenant interview. When he wrote Courage for more information, Ken was edified to discover that there are other people, struggling with homosexuality, who share his desire to be faithful to the Church. In 1992, Ken attended a Courage conference in Toronto and another in New York in 1993 and 1995. The attendance at each of these conferences was about 100 people. Ken states "The place of Courage is to support and give help to those who choose to struggle and follow the Gospel." Courage offers this support by encouraging its members to take advantage of the spiritual richness of the Catholic Church and to enable them to come into faithfulness and healing. For more information you may contact Courage P.O. Box 2655 Winnipeg, MB R3C 4B3. (Courage maintains the anonymity of its members). The goals of Courage To live chaste lives in accordance with the Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality. To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass and frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist. To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences and so ensure that none of us has to face the problems of homosexuality alone. To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in chaste Christian life _ to encourage one another in forming and sustaining them. To live lives that may serve as good examples to others.