Minister to persons experiencing same-sex attractions

Courage offers resources for research about homosexuality as well as help and support for priests who may be chaplains for Courage, who minister to those who deal with same-sex attractions, or who deal with same sex attractions themselves. Those seeking the latest Church teachings on the issue can find them here, as well other useful articles and essays.

Get the FAQs

Here are answers to some questions that Courage website visitors often ask. If you have questions you would like answered, feel free to send them to us.

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Join Courageous Clergy

Membership allows for priests, seminarians, deacons, and brothers to enter into a spiritual fraternity and fellowship with others, to share in the spiritual benefits of Masses offered by priests in Courage, and to share information and resources with one another.

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What will you say?

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.

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.

5 Goals of Courage

  1. Chastity
  2. Prayer and Dedication
  3. Fellowship
  4. Support
  5. Good Example/Role Model

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.

  1. To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality. ( Chastity )
  2. 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)
  3. 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)
  4. 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)
  5. To live lives that may serve as good examples to others. (Good Example/Role Model)

Handouts to Print and Share

Courage/EnCourage Young Adult Brochure – Spanish

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Recommended Reading by Fr. Paul Check

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Published in: Recommended Reading by Fr. Paul Check

Author: Fr. Paul Check

Courage/EnCourage Brochure

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Courage/EnCourage Young Adult Brochure

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Embracing the Faith

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Published in: Pursuit of Truth.ca

The Health Risks of “Gay” Sex

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What Does Research Show: Therapies for Same-Sex Attraction

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Outreach to Homosexual Persons: The Understanding Heart

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Ministering to Persons with Same-Sex Attractions: What Courage Members Would Like Clergy to Know

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Don’t Call Me Gay!

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Featured Articles for Clergy

We have obtained permission from the authors, as well as the magazines from which these materials originated, for copies to be made as part of a clergy study day.

New Booklet Supports Priests Ministering to Porn Users

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Published in: Catholic Answers

Author: Richaél Smith

Published: September 27, 2016

Living the Truth in Love Pastoral Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction

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Author: Janet E Smith and Fr. Paul Check

Published: August 2015

Approaching Homosexuality With ‘True Compassion,’ Not ‘Sentimentality’

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Published in: National Catholic Register

Author: PETER JESSERER SMITH

Published: 05/29/2015

Authentic Truth & Compassion

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Phony Matrimony Or What King Kamehameha II Teaches Us About the Last Marriage Taboo

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Published in: Touchstone

Author: Christopher Oleson

Published: March 2015

Seven Things I Wish My Pastor Knew About My Homosexuality

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Published in: Public Discourse - The Witherspoon Institute

Author: Jean Lloyd (within marriage)

Published: December 10, 2014

Recommended Reading by Fr. Paul Check

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Published in: Recommended Reading by Fr. Paul Check

Author: Fr. Paul Check

Against Heterosexuality

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Published in: First Things

Author: Michael W. Hannon

Published: March 2014

Do Homosexuals Exist? Or, Where Do We Go From Here?

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Published in: Faith and Fortitude

Author: Fr. Hugh Barbour

Published: August 1, 2013

A Label That Sticks

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Published in: First Things

Author: Fr. Paul Scalia

Published: July 2005

Clergy Study Day Videos

Clergy Day 2014, Part 7: Deacon Lappert

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Clergy Day 2014, Part 1: Fr. Check

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Clergy Day 2014, Part 3: Fr. Check

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Clergy Day 2014, Part 4: Dr. Horne

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Clergy Day 2014, Part 5: Deacon Walker

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Clergy Day 2014, Part 2: Paul

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Clergy Day 2014, Part 6: Fr. Check

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Member Testimonies

Courage members from around the world are coming forward to give testimony to God's work in their lives! In these stories you will see among the varying experiences, one common theme: Once we committed our lives to Christ and to the full teachings of His Catholic Church, we really began to live!

ined permission from the authors, as well as the magazines from which these materials originated, for copies to be made as part of a clergy study day.

Bullied “Out of the Closet” and (Almost) Bullied Back In

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Published in: Crisis Magazine

Author: DAVID PROSEN

Published: July 9, 2015

Desire of the Everlasting Hills Documentary

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Published in: www.everlastinghills.org

Interview: Coming Out of the Gay Lifestyle

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Published in: Chastity.com

Author: Fr. Vincent Serpa O.P.

Published: September 2014

Pursuit of Truth Ministries

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Kim’s Testimony

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Member Testimony: Allen

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Conference Testimonies

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Member Testimony: Peter

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Member Testimony: Mark

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Member Testimony: Chris

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Member Testimony: JM

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Member Testimony: Jim B

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Member Testimony: Louis

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Rilene’s Testimony

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Karl’s Testimony

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