Courage – A Roman Catholic Apostolate
Courage is an international apostolate of the Catholic Church, which ministers to persons with same-sex attractions.
Move beyond the confines of the homosexual label to a more complete identity in Christ
With the endorsement of the Holy See, Courage now has more than 100 Chapters and contact people worldwide, over 1500 persons participating in its ListServs, and hundreds of persons per week receiving assistance from the main office and website. It has become a mainstream Catholic Apostolate helping thousands of men and women find peace through fellowship, prayer, and the Sacraments.
In helping individuals gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the Church’s teachings, especially in the area of chastity, Courage extends the Church’s invitation to a life of peace and grace. In chaste living, one finds the peace and grace to grow in Christian maturity.
Resources to help you grow in Understanding
THE FIVE GOALS OF COURAGE
The Five Goals were created by the members themselves when Courage was founded. The goals are read at the start of each meeting and each member is called to practice them in daily life. Here are the Goals in their entirety.
To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality. ( Chastity )
To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. (Prayer and Dedication)
To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone. (Fellowship)
To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in a chaste Christian life, and to encourage one another in forming and sustaining these friendships. (Support)
To live lives that may serve as good examples to others. (Good Example/Role Model) VIDEO FROM PAISLEY DIOCESE WEBSITE
PAT SAYS:
The notion that you can PRAY AWAY BEING GAY is a very distorted notion and can lead to people suffering great damage.
Our sexuality is an absolutely fundamental part of who we are and if we fail to acknowledge and integrate it is any way we are going to end up being mentally and emotionally skewed in some serious ways.
Homosexuality is neither a problem or a disorder.
It is a perfectly normal sexual orientation and is seen, not only in humans, but in very many species.
To deny one of our basic human drives and instincts generally leads to neurosis and sometimes to psychosis.
The Roman Catholic Church is screwed up on sex in general and on homosexuality in particular.
This is seen by cardinals, bishops and priests condemning homosexuality in public and practising all kinds of kinky homosexuality in private.
If you want some good examples of PRAY AWAY BEING GAY – just look at Cardinal McCarrick, Cardinal Pell, Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop Neinstedt etc, etc.
In fact I think that all forms of therapy that pretends to convert gays into heterosexuals or even into celibates, should be made illegal – because they7 are abuse.
Chastity does not always mean abstaining from sex. It means always enjoying sex in the context of love, intimacy, respect, consent and life enhancement.
ARLENE FOSTER
By: Robert Hutchison
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 