Priests With Courage Goals

Related Links

Priests With Courage: Goals

Priests With Courage are committed to the following five goals:

1. Supporting Courage, the Catholic Church's only pontifically approved ministry which is specifically committed to providing spiritual support for persons with same-sex attractions who are striving to live chastely. Direct those who are seeking help to Courage, and their families and friends to EnCourage. Show your support by getting involved in a Courage or EnCourage group, and if there aren't any groups in your areas, consider starting them.

2. Praying for those who experience homosexual temptations. Whether they live an actively homosexual lifestyle or are striving to live chastely, offer Mass as often as you can for all who struggle with homosexuality.

3. Treating men, women, and youth who experience same-sex attractions with "respect, compassion and sensitivity" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2358). This involves accepting them for who they really are - men and women, sons and daughters of God, and not referring to them as "gays", "lesbians" or other reductionist terms.

4. Getting informed about the issue of homosexuality. The number of men and women dealing with homosexuality in your parishes and in your cities is not negligible. The Church cannot ignore them or the issue. The spiritual and physical lives of too many are at stake. Know what the Church really teaches from the Scripture, the Catechism and the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (Send for Recommended Reading List for more on this.)

5. Speaking up about this issue publicly and privately. Speaking up does require Courage - not everyone will be glad to hear the truth, but everyone needs to hear it. Fear not, as Pope John Paul II so often admonishes. And know that we at Courage are praying for you!

Consider joining us! Visit the "Priests with Courage" Web Site.

Ecce Agnus Dei: Priests are called to imitate the Lamb of God and be priest-victims for the salvation of souls. Agnus Dei - Francisco de Zurburan (1598-1664). Copyright © Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid.