Courage blossoms in Diocese

A year after its inception, the Albany Diocese's chapter of a support group for persons with same-sex attractions has developed "a sense of stability," according to one founding member.

The group, Courage, "is not a 'flash-in-the-pan' phenomenon," but will continue, said David (last name withheld to abide by the group's promise of confidentiality). For the past year, he said, six to ten men have been meeting twice a month.

Courage is a Vatican-approved group formed in 1980 in the Archdiocese of New York. Goals for members are chastity, fellowship, support, being a good example to others, and dedicating one's life to Christ through prayer, service and participation in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

Chastity

David told The Evangelist that members have "feelings of attraction to the same sex they neither chose nor want," and strive to live chaste lives and obey Church teachings.

"We strive to grow closer to Christ by bearing these very real difficulties together," he said.

He cautioned that people do not join Courage to try to change their orientation, but are "homosexuals who, having carefully considered their same-sex attraction, have decided to pursue chastity."

At the bimonthly meetings, members pray together, discuss Scripture under the leadership of moderator Rev. Jeffrey L'Arche, MS, and talk about their daily challenges.

Loss of faith

Ron (last name withheld) found the group when an article in The Evangelist announced its creation (search for "Diocese begins Courage chapter" at www.evangelist.org).

He had previously been married but felt he "couldn't lead a double life," and the marriage had ended.

He also fell away from the practice of his faith.

Return to faith

After a religious conversion while visiting Medjugorje, Bosnia, where alleged apparitions of Mary have been reported, Ron became active in the Church again.

However, when asked to become a Eucharistic minister, he worried that his orientation might become known and affect what fellow parishioners thought about him distributing Communion.

"People don't look at it as if you're living a chaste life," he remarked.

Joining Courage gave Ron a place where he could vent his fears to others with similar concerns. He said that God has given him the grace to live a chaste life, but that "it's easier for me now" with peer support.

Activities

Highlights of the past year for the group have included David's attendance at a national Courage conference in Chicago (where the creation of the Albany chapter was cited as a "bright spot" by Courage International founder Rev. John Harvey); and a local presentation by Rev. Jeffrey Keefe, OFM Conv., on the causes of same-sex attraction.

Father Keefe is the director of Courage in Syracuse and a practicing psychologist. David said that just his presence in Albany gave members a reminder that they're not alone.

Growth potential

For Ron, Courage has been "the only thing that works." He said he'd like to see more people coming to the meetings; David noted that members have asked to meet more often.

The men in the group have become friends, he said, and often discuss current issues and news as well as their own lives.

"We don't give each other pat answers or stern rebukes, but speak from our own experience," David said.

(For confidential inquiries about Courage, call 496-4771 or email [email protected].)

(10/25/07) [[In-content Ad]]