Papal honors for Father Phillip Bochanski have been announced and priest says they are a recognition of the Courage apostolate’s ministry for people with same-sex attraction at a time when the world, and even parts of the Catholic Church, are unsupportive, confusing, or hostile to their desire to live the Catholic faith in its fullness.
“In this apostolate I’ve met some of the most dedicated people I know. People who at great personal sacrifice are following Jesus with what I would say is heroic virtue,” Bochanski told CNA Nov. 26. “For me it’s been a real blessing to be able to a spiritual father to them.”
Since 2017, Bochanski has been executive director of the Bridgeport, Conn.-based Courage International. The Courage apostolate provides pastoral support, prayer support, and fellowship for people with same-sex attraction who want to live chaste lives according to Catholic teaching.
On Nov. 25, the Philadelphia archdiocese announced that Bochanski was among four people honored with the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, an honor given to Catholics over age 45 with a history of long and distinguished service to the Church and to the office of the pope.
Bochanski: “There’s a significant amount of opposition that the Church’s teaching receives from the secular world, of course, but even in recent years it’s not always clear that everyone within the Church acknowledges and accepts the goodness and the truth of those teachings,” he said….
“Some of our members, in coming back to the Church and embracing a chaste life, lost a lot of friends they had before,” he said. “People don’t understand why they would follow a Catholic teaching that requires so much sacrifice.” For many, this means choosing a celibate life that “certainly requires a new way of looking at themselves and relationships….”
”Many want to be private about their experience but an increasing number are willing to speak about how participating in Courage and living according to Church teaching have changed their lives,” he told CNA. “A number of them talk about how they feel much more free to be themselves, to have strong friendships, to live fully alive because they are embracing this invitation to chastity.”
Some members have reported that people who tried to affirm them in their attractions and desires only increased their unhappiness.
“The fact that people weren’t giving them the truth about their identity and morality was making that much worse.” said Bochanski.
“When they hear the teaching of the Church that our identity is not in our sexual orientation but in our identity as sons and daughters of God, and that God’s plan for chaste relationships is meant to build this up and lead us to fulfillment, it’s a real liberation. They experience a great real freedom by embracing their Church’s teachings….”
The above comes from a Nov. 26 story in the Catholic News Agency.
This is very good news. And, that recognition by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Archbishop Chaput is well deserved. Courage and its other ministry, EnCourage, for families of those struggling with same-sex attraction, do great work. Especially in a time when even some in the Church, like Rev. James Martin SJ, foment confusion and falsely claim that one’s attractions are one’s fundamental identity, it is important that the truth and compassion of Christ be clearly brought to people.
This is excellent news– the best we have heard from the Pope and the Vatican, in a long time! Now– the Pope and Vatican should denounce Papal favorite, Fr. James Martin, S.J.!! Poor Abp. Chaput recently was unpopular, for reprimanding Fr. Martin for his “pro-gay” speeches, in his Archdiocese!
Is this honor given by Archbishop Chaput alone, or does he have Francis’ backing? If Chaput acted on his own, this is a clear slap in the face of the James Martin-loving pontiff. If Francis is on board with this honor, he equivocates between support for the Church’s teaching on marriage and rejecting it. Could someone enlighten this confused reader? Thanks in advance!
Dan, The papal award is bestowed on individuals for their service to the Church. The local diocese nominates an individual for the award, which is granted by the Holy See. And, Pope Francis did not stop Archbishop Chaput’s nominee from receiving this papal honor. I hope that helps.
This is a magnificent example of the truth and beauty of Catholicism, Congratulations Father Bochansky.
Thanks for this lovely article.
Love the balance of good and bad news of what’s going on..