(New York, April 30, 2001) Courage, a spiritual support group for Catholics who experience same-sex attractions, is producing a two-part video that presents a perspective on homosexuality that is seldom heard in the media. Portraits of Courage: Into the Light and Cry of the Faithful, which are scheduled to be released in June, profile 10 men and women who have renounced the gay and lesbian identity and have chosen to live chaste lives. Their testimonies, together with insight from psychologists and priests, shed light on this complex issue that is often misunderstood by the secular culture and Catholics alike.
“For nearly an entire generation, the culture has been saturated with a pro-gay message that has distorted the reality of homosexuality,” says Fr. John Harvey, OSFS, Director of Courage. “But with this video, there will finally be a voice crying out in the wilderness that gives credibility to the Church's teachings on homosexuality and offers hope to men, women and youth who are seeking answers to some of their most troubling questions.”
Theories on the Origins of Homosexuality
The video will be an eye-opener to those who believe that one is born gay. Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, a psychologist who has counseled men and women with same-sex attractions for 25 years, exposes common misperceptions about homosexuality and argues that a homosexual orientation has its origins in early family conflicts. For women, he believes that past abuse from men is often the cause. Male homosexuality, he finds most often results from incomplete male bonding, particularly father-son bonding but also peer-to-peer bonding.
Richard, one of the men profiled in the video, supports Fitzgibbons' theory. Speaking of his healing process with his father, he says, “Dad, did you think I ever wanted to have sex with men? I was looking for you all the time.” He goes on to describe how as an adult he climbed into his father's lap and had his father hold him for an hour as he wept, grieving the loss of the father-son bond that had been missing all his life.
Richard also stresses the importance of bonding with other men in his healing: “I needed mentors, I needed men to spend time with me. Please, please be with me — athletically, socially,” he pleaded.
About Courage
Courage is a pontifically approved spiritual support group for Catholic men and women who experience same-sex attractions and strive to live chaste lives in accordance with the Church's teachings on homosexuality. It was founded in 1980 by the late Terrence Cardinal Cooke of New York with the help of Frs. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, and John Harvey, OSFS, who has been director ever since. Today there are 90 chapters worldwide. EnCourage, a sister group, offers help to parents, family members and friends of persons who have same-sex attractions.
Fr. Harvey has been providing pastoral counseling to men and women dealing with homosexual issues for more than 50 years and is the Church's leading authority on the topic. He is a frequent speaker and has authored several books and articles, most notably, The Truth About Homosexuality: the Cry of the Faithful (Ignatius Press, 1996).
For more information about Courage and EnCourage, visit www.couragerc.org or contact:
National Courage Office
Church of St. John the Baptist
210 W. 31st St.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 268-1010
NYCourage@aol.com
