Wednesday, June 12, 2002
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Wednesday, June 12, 2002 |
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Catholics offer gay ministry The rash of priests molesting adolescents can be attributed in part to a clerical gay subculture and its sympathizers within the Catholic Church that promote homosexuality in Catholic institutions and fail to discipline homosexual activity by their supportive silence. In an over-compassionate attempt to communicate tolerance for homosexuals, they have refused to speak out against the Catholic sin of homogenital acts. What to do? Seminarian applicants must be screened for problematic same-sex urges. Already ordained priests struggling with same sex attractions must be given the opportunity to participate in a Courage chapter in their diocese. Founded by Fr. John Harvey in 1980, Courage is the only Vatican approved ministry to homosexuals (www.couragerc.net). Courage assists gay Catholics in leading fulfilled chaste lives in accordance with the Catholic Church's teachings. Its sister ministry, Encourage, supports parents of children living in the homosexual lifestyle. Although Courage has a successful history of assisting homosexual and lesbian Catholics, Courage support groups are discouraged in some dioceses in favor of gay-affirming ministries that ignore chastity. How then are gay clergy and laity expected to refrain from homosexual behavior when there is no support group in their diocese? It is time for us Catholics to clean up each one of our dioceses. Demand from your pastor and bishop a Courage chapter in your church. Our children and gay brethren deserve no less. Regina Griggs Executive Director Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays Box 561 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
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