Courage to host event on pastoral approach to sexual identity

Phoenix, Ariz., Dec 16, 2016 / 00:02 am

Courage International will team with the Phoenix diocese in the new year to host an event addressing same-sex attraction and other sexual identity issues on the forefront of Church discussion today.

"The work of Courage International, helping those with same-sex attraction to build friendships and virtue, and helping the Church to share the Good News of Christ in a challenging area, is essential to our time," said Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, Arizona.

"I encourage all who have pastoral responsibilities to join us at the conference in January in Phoenix. It will help you to grow in knowledge and friendship," the bishop said.

This year, the "Truth and Love" conference will center around the theme of "Welcoming and accompanying our brothers and sisters with same-sex attraction or confusion regarding sexual identity."

The event, now in its third year, will offer presentations and practical advice for those in a pastoral or instructive position in the Church, including religious, clergy, lay members, and health and medical professionals.

"So many of the current approaches to homosexuality do not include the fuller perspective of the human person. Rather, they limit themselves to acceptance and to the protection of the right of sexual satisfaction," Carmel Communications said in a press release for the event.

For this reason, the conference will offer instruction from Catholic experts on how the Catholic community can effectively preach about the fullness of the human person, specifically in reference to same-sex attraction.

The conference will also touch on the topics of Christian anthropology, natural law, the psychology of homosexuality and chastity. Additionally, roundtable discussions and panels will be offered, as well as Mass celebrated by Bishop Olmsted and Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, California.

The speaker series at the conference will include Dr. Janet Smith, Jason Evert, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, Andrew Lichtenwalner, and Courage International's executive director, Fr. Philip Bochanski. The event will also offer testimonials of individuals who have experienced struggles with sexual identity, who will give instructive advice on living chaste lives with authenticity.

Fr. Bochanski, who heads the sexual identity apostolate Courage International, noted that the conference will "share the good news that living chastely and finding our true identity as sons and daughters of God is the way to real happiness and authentic relationships."

The conference will take place from Jan. 9-11 at St. Paul Parish in Phoenix, AZ. Registration can be found at TruthandLove.com.