Mexican bishops express support for Catholic homosexual outreach group

Mexico City, Mexico, Jul 7, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Archdiocese of Mexico has expressed its support for Courage Latino, a Hispanic version of the successful Catholic ministry for homosexuals founded by Father John Harvey.  The Courage office in Mexico will be under the guidance of Father Buenaventura Wainwright.

According to the coordinator of ministries for the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, Msgr. Agustin Rivera, those who wish to join the group will be able to obtain information confidentially at the Basilica. 

Father Wainwright said the founder of Courage, Father Harvey, explained the objectives of the ministry to the General Assembly of the Mexican Bishops’ Conference on Monday.  Courage has been in existence since 1980 and is now beginning to open chapters in Latin America.

“The response from the bishops was very positive.  We have had success in this direction,” said Father Wainwright.  He also indicated that Courage Latino would make use of “reparative therapy” as a way of helping homosexuals to overcome their tendencies.

Msgr. Rivera and Fathers Wainwright and Harvey celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Guadalupe during which Msgr. Rivera praised the work of Courage and introduced its Hispanic version to those attending.

During his homily, Msgr. Rivera said the ethical relativism humanity is experiencing is dangerous, “in which each person wants to live his own life style and demand and ask for his own rights.  These situations are legislated by governments themselves, such as same-sex unions.”

For his part, Oscar Rivas, a successful Courage member, said that in order to maintain the necessary discretion this type of pastoral work requires, the location where the first Courage Latino group will meet will not be publicly disclosed.