Priests With Courage Background

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Priests With Courage: Background

How do some priests respond when confronted with the issue of homosexuality? Some priests would counsel a man or woman seeking advice on dealing with same-sex attractions to "accept yourself for 'who you are' and find a steady lover - it's alright if you are in a committed relationship."

Others would say: "Just try not to think about those kinds of things." Or they might say, "Get married - being with a person of the opposite sex will cure you."

Some penitents have even been told, "Get out of my confessional," while other priests have thrown up their hands and said, "I don't know what to tell you about that."

Then there are priests who will refer people to "gay and lesbian spirituality" groups, with little concern as to whether the spirituality and morality taught at these groups is authentically Catholic.

How will you respond, as a priest faithful to the magisterium, when someone confides in you that he or she is struggling with homosexuality? As a representative of Christ, you will want to respond with gentleness, patience, understanding, and fidelity to the truth.

We invite priests like yourself, who are concerned about responding to this issue with compassion, love, and the full truth of the Church's teachings, to join Priests With Courage.

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

Priests With Courage is a network of priests committed to ministering to persons struggling with homosexuality, with the love of Christ and the full teachings of the Catholic Church, especially in the area of chastity.

We hope that the growth of this network will result in a world-wide list of reliable trustworthy contacts who will be resources for spiritual help. This will help to ease the various burdens of ministry that individual priests can experience on a daily basis.

What is Priests With Courage?

We are grateful for the many fine priests who already work with Courage, and we hope to encourage more to join us in this much needed apostolate!

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.