Pastoral Care for LGBTQ+ Catholics: A Church in Tension

The reason for the disagreement is a report published by a synodal working group, which included the anonymous testimony of a man in a same-sex civil union. In that account, he described negative experiences at Courage meetings, calling them "secret and hidden" and noting that participants seemed "lonely, hopeless, and depressed."

For Courage's leaders, this testimony does not represent the reality of their ministry, and they believe the Vatican report presents a distorted picture of their work. In their response, they accuse the document of "slander and defamation," arguing that the negative experience of one individual has been taken as representative of the entire organization.

The Synod Context and the Continuing Process

This incident takes place within the broader synodal process initiated by Pope Francis and continuing under the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in May 2025 after the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. The Synod has sought to address emerging doctrinal, pastoral, and ethical issues, promoting open dialogue throughout the Church.

The document in question, titled "Theological Criteria and Synodal Methodologies for Shared Discernment of Emerging Doctrinal, Pastoral, and Ethical Issues," included the testimony as part of an appendix from Working Group 9. However, for Courage, the inclusion of this testimony without proper context constitutes an institutional misrepresentation that damages their reputation and the people they serve.

Courage's Mission: Accompaniment, Not Therapy

Since its founding, Courage has been dedicated to accompanying men and women who wish to live according to Catholic teaching on sexuality, offering a space for spiritual and fraternal support. The organization has categorically rejected accusations that it promotes so-called "reparative therapy" or conversion therapy, insisting that their approach is spiritual accompaniment based on Catholic doctrine, not programs of psychological change.

In their statement, Courage emphasized that the confidentiality of their meetings is not a sign of secrecy but a necessary measure to protect the privacy of participants, who share deeply personal struggles. Like many support groups, privacy is essential so that people can speak openly without fear of being exposed or publicly judged.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" (Psalm 27:1, NIV)

Reactions and Call for Dialogue

The controversy has generated various reactions within the Church. Some see this episode as an opportunity to reflect on how the Church approaches pastoral care for LGBTQ+ individuals, seeking a balance between fidelity to doctrine and compassionate welcome. Others believe that the synodal process must be more careful in collecting testimonies, avoiding generalizations that could harm legitimate ministries.

Courage has called for constructive dialogue with Vatican authorities to clear up misunderstandings and work together in the mission of accompanying all the faithful, especially those facing particular challenges in their life of faith.

Reflection for the Reader

This situation invites us to consider the complexity of pastoral care in a diverse Church. How do we create spaces where people can share their struggles without fear of judgment, while remaining faithful to our beliefs? How do we listen to individual stories without losing sight of the bigger picture? These are questions that challenge us all, regardless of our position on specific issues.

At EncuentraIglesias.com, we believe that respectful dialogue and mutual understanding are essential for the Church to be a place of welcome and growth for all. We invite you to reflect and pray for all those involved in this difficult conversation.