12/22/09

In correspondence between the Courage office and the present leader, Fr. Michael Crisostomo, it was clear to me that the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, desired to start a Courage group.

I had Ken McGlynn with me because my Superior requested that I have someone with me to prevent another fall. Not only did he take care of me, but at my various talks and meetings, he acted as a respondent to my voice.

In my first presentation before the clergy and religious, I spent some time on the Homosexual Agenda, on the ways in which "gay"[1] leaders convinced a considerable portion of Americans that gay persons were just like everyone else, except that they did not procreate children, although they desired sexual intimacy.

First, I detailed some of the strategies used by the authors of After the Ball.[2] Among the strategies used are Why the Need for a strategy? Very probably the homosexual agenda came to Guam in proposed legislation before the senators of Guam. It does allow homosexual marriage.

A Task Force headed by Archbishop Anthony Apuran is leading opposition to Bill 185. The Archbishop has written a pastoral letter opposing Bill 185. With his Task Force, he presents a 12 page document which argues convincingly in favor of Traditional marriage and against the claim that persons with same sex attraction have a right to Traditional marriage. In my second presentation, I proposed Courage and EnCourage as a part of a Catholic counter strategy against The Homosexual Agenda.

The homosexual strategies include portraits of gays made to look good-indeed attractive by media and Hollywood; portraits of gays as victims, not aggressors; leaders have convinced the National Education Association of their cause; consequently, public schools throughout the country teach in grade school and high school that homosexual genital activity is natural and good for those with same sex attractions.

On the secondary level such schools promote Gay-Straight Alliances which convey the impression that there is nothing wrong with homosexual genital acts.

The same leaders have sought from corporate America millions of dollars to propagate the philosophy that their lifestyle needs support from the public. Many corporations gave into this pressure for business approval. This counter strategy was presented to the clergy on the second day of our visit.

In subsequent presentations before gatherings of the clergy and at four parishes, I describe the historical beginnings of Courage (1980) and EnCourage (1990). I stressed the principal purpose of Courage, mainly, to learn how to practice the virtue of chastity. I reviewed the Five Goals of Courage and I spent time on the importance of the Twelve Step approach: It applies not only to alcoholic persons, but also to same sex persons seeking to remain chaste. I gave the format of Courage meetings (Discussion and Prayer).

I also described the beginnings of EnCourage in 1990. For years many parents have called the Courage Office seeking help not only for their sons and daughters in the gay lifestyle, but also for themselves. What can Courage leaders offer them? Courage continues to offer parents spiritual direction, and they have responded generously to Courage. Many of them attend our annual conferences. I also pointed out that it is easier to help parents and spouses that have a son, daughter or spouses in the lifestyle, than it is to persuade their son, daughter or spouses, who have left their marital spouses. Courage keeps close contact with EnCourage members.

Ken and I had meetings with the Task Force on all these matters. We are grateful for their preparations for the visit during the week. I spoke about ten times. Three parishes sponsored our visit; we found the faith strong in the Archdiocese. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Archbishop Anthony Apuran sang the Mass. The liturgy was inspiring.

I gave a brief sermon on the miracles that take place at Marion Shrines throughout the world. It was followed by a procession of 9,000 people honoring Mother Mary.

[1] "Gay" means a complete acceptance of homosexual philosophy and behavior.

[2] See Allen, Sears and Craig Asten, The Homosexual Agenda, Broadman and Holman, Nashville, TN 2003. They summarize the work of Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen, authors of After the Ball.