Homosexuality and faith are reconciled within Catholic support groups: Gay and Catholic, Michael found safe harbour at Courage

About 20 years ago Michael became aware that he was attracted to other men. This was disconcerting as he believed his beloved Catholic Church condemned people with an attraction to people of the same sex, yet he could not deny that he was attracted to other men.

This sent Michael searching for answers. Why did he feel this way? Would God really condemn him? How could he live with a same- sex attraction? If it was impossible, as he believed, to be attracted to people of the same sex and be Catholic, then where did he fit in?

Through a ministry known as Courage, Michael began to find answers to his questions - and also a place to belong.

During his search, he came into contact with many different groups for gay people and people with a same-sex attraction. He found many support groups and resources in other Christian congregations, and in the gay community, but nothing within the Catholic Church.

"Then three years ago I read an article in the Western Catholic Reporter about Courage, and I called John (MacDonald) who was running the program."

Courage is an apostolate founded in 1980 by the late Cardinal Terence Cooke of New York and endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family. The apostolate does not aim to "convert" gay men and women, or change their sexual attractions. Instead Courage's mandate is to offer support and encouragement to gay men and women who desire to follow the Church's teachings as it stands.

Gay and Catholic, Michael found safe harbour at Courage
Canada Western Catholic Reporter, Canada