SAME SEX ATTRACTION (SSA) 1. Persons with SSA are called to be chaste by the virtue of self- mastery that teaches them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendships, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually resolutely approach Christian perfection. (Item 2359) 2. Experiencing an exclusive or dominant attraction toward persons of the same sex is most often an experience that is discovered, not freely chosen. (Item 2357 to 2358) 3. While having an SSA or even bisexual orientation is not in itself morally wrong or sinful, the Church calls persons with SSA, like their single heterosexual counterparts, to be chaste. 4. “Recognize your dignity…you have been rescued.” (Item 1691)
The Society of Catholic Social Scientists has alerted our Bishops about a trend among some ministries to Catholics with SSA that contradict authentic Catholic teaching on the SSA condition and are founded upon erroneous scientific assumptions.
The Society highlights: 1. False statements are being made about SSA being biologically determined. 2. Catholics with SSA are being told wrongly that further psycho-sexual development is never possible. 3. The term “gay” is being used wrongly to describe people with SSA who do not identify with the gay socio-political position. 4. A separate “gay spirituality” is regrettably is being encouraged, and gay ministries tell us that a person who suffers from the SSA condition has special “gay gifts” for the Church. 5. Catholics are being informed wrongly that the SSA condition is not disordered.
COURAGE is a spiritual support system that is designed to assist men and women struggling with SSA to live chaste lives through prayer, fellowship, truth and love in obedience with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Five Goals of COURAGE: 1. CHASTITY - Live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on SSA. 2. PRAYER AND DEDICATION - Dedicate one’s life to Christ through prayer and 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. 3. FELLOWSHIP – Foster a spirit of fellowship in which all may share thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of SSA alone. 4. SUPPORT – Be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but also necessary in a chaste Christian Life and in doing so provide encouragement to one another in forming and sustaining them. 5. GOOD EXAMPLE – Live lives that may serve as good examples to others.
MINISTRIES WITHIN COURAGE:
EnCourage is a ministry within Courage dedicated to the spiritual needs of parents, siblings, children, spouses and other relatives and friends of persons who have SSA. Standing by the true teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, EnCourage members support one another and their loved ones through discussion, prayer and fellowship.
Priests WITH COURAGE is a network of priests committed to ministering to persons struggling with SSA, with the love of Christ and the full teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, especially in the area of chastity.
CONTACT INFO: Website: www.couragerc.net Blogspot: http://courageph.blogspot.com Email Address: courageph@gmail.com Contact Number: (0917) 8427434, (0928) 5066974 Contact Person: Rollie delos Reyes II
Nihil Obstst: Rev. Fr. David J. Clay, MSSC Asst. Exec. Secretary, ECFL
Imprimatur: + Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D. Chairman, ECFL
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