Fr. John Harvey, known for founding Courage, the international
support group for Catholics who experience same-sex attraction, passed
away recently at the age of 92.
Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons, a Catholic psychiatrist who worked with Fr.
Harvey for 30 years, remembered the priest as a “brilliant moral
theologian” whose life was a “gift to the Church.”
Father Harvey died on Dec. 27, the feast of St. John the Evangelist,
at Union Hospital in Elkton, Maryland. Born in Philadelphia, he was
priest for 66 years and an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales for 73.
In New York City in 1980, Fr. Harvey helped found Courage, the
Church-approved ministry devoted to helping Catholics who experience
same-sex attractions live in accordance with Catholic moral teaching.
The apostolate is aimed at strengthening chastity, religious
devotion, healthy friendships, and a spirit of fellowship and support
among Catholics who experience same-sex attractions.
Courage
incorporates a modified version of the “Twelve Steps,” traditionally
used in the treatment of substance-abuse, in its work helping Catholics
who struggle with homosexuality to lead chaste lives.
With the endorsement of the Vatican, Courage now has more than 110 chapters and contact people world-wide.
“Fr. Harvey responded to the needs of those with same sex attraction
in the Church through the development of Courage,” Dr. Fitzgibbons said.
He called Fr. Harvey's prominent book, “The Truth about
Homosexuality,” a “great gift to the Catholics” that should be “required
reading” for clergy, educators and laity.
Dr. Fitzgibbon's praised Fr. Harvey as a “brilliant” moral
theologian, but explained that more importantly, the priest defended the
Church's teaching on sexual morality “with great wisdom, love and
gentleness.”
“He was a gift to the Church during a troubled historical period when
many in the Church abandoned the teaching of Christ and His Church in
regard to sexual morality and homosexuality, in particular, resulting in
great confusion and significant trauma,” the psychiatrist added.
Dr. Fitzgibbons also noted Fr. Harvey's “great devotion” to St.
Francis de Sales, whom he called “a source of wisdom and comfort for
him during times of great trials.”
SIC: CNA/INT'L