Pope Leo XIV received in a private audience on this February 6 a delegation from the apostolate Courage International, dedicated to the pastoral accompaniment of people who experience same-sex attraction and wish to live a chaste life in accordance with the Church’s teaching. The organization itself reported this in an official statement.
The audience took place in the morning and was described by Courage as a particularly significant moment for the life of the apostolate, which in the last 45 years has extended its presence to numerous countries.
Who participated in the meeting with the Pope
In the meeting with the Pontiff were present Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, of Bridgeport (United States), president of the episcopal board of Courage; Father Kyle Schnippel, priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and president of the executive board; Father Brian Gannon, current executive director of the apostolate; and Angelo Sabella, a member of Courage for more than three decades.
During the meeting, the representatives of the apostolate were able to explain to the Pope the nature of their pastoral work and the way in which they accompany both people with same-sex attraction and family members of those who identify as LGBTQ.
Accompany “in truth and in love”
According to the statement, the audience allowed sharing with the Holy Father the mission of Courage, centered on helping its members grow in holiness through a life coherent with the Gospel. The text emphasizes that this accompaniment is carried out from pastoral charity, without renouncing the truth of Catholic doctrine.
Courage highlighted that the meeting with Leo XIV confirmed the “serene joy” of those who are part of the apostolate and their desire to live “the truth in love,” an expression that synthesizes their pastoral approach.
An apostolate with more than four decades of history
Courage International was founded in 1980 in New York by Father John F. Harvey, at the request of then-Cardinal Terence Cooke. From its beginnings, the apostolate has been articulated around five fundamental objectives: chastity, prayer and dedication, fraternity, mutual support, and testimony of Christian life.
Currently, Courage has more than 160 chapters in 15 countries and, together with its associated apostolate EnCourage, received canonical recognition in 2016 as a diocesan clerical association of the faithful within the Catholic Church.
EnCourage and accompaniment for families
Under the umbrella of Courage, the apostolate EnCourage develops a specific work of accompaniment for family members and friends of people who identify as LGBT. Its objective is to help them maintain an attitude of closeness and understanding without compromising fidelity to the Catholic faith.
Currently, EnCourage has more than 100 chapters spread across several countries.