EPISTLES

The Study Group #9 of the Synod on Synodality, officially titled “Theological Criteria and Synodal Methodologies for Shared Discernment of Emerging Doctrinal, Pastoral, and Ethical Issues,” has become one of the most controversial synodal documents released so far. The report blurs the distinction between pastoral care and doctrinal clarity, even choosing the term “emerging” rather than “controversial” to describe these issues.

It includes testimonies from men in same-sex unions, raises questions about whether same-sex relations are sinful, and critiques apostolates such as Courage International. Courage International has responded by rejecting what it considers a false and unjust portrayal of its work, expressing sorrow that it has been subjected to calumny and detraction in an official Vatican document rather than in secular outlets.

“Courage considers this report to be both calumny and detraction against the organization and its members… Courage has suffered calumny and detraction before, but usually from secular outlets. It is a great sadness and an additional wound to our members to have this false and unjust depiction in a Vatican document.” – Courage, May 2026

Among those expressing concern about the broader direction of the synodal process is Cardinal Gerhard Müller. He criticized the report’s authors for ignoring revealed truths and shaping Christianity to fit modern comfort and worldliness. He also said that a pro-LGBT lobby within the Church had welcomed ideas that weaken or distort the traditional understanding of natural and sacramental marriage.

Likewise, Fr. Gerald Murray criticized the synodal structure for creating confusion about the Church’s doctrinal clarity. In this specific case, Fr. Murray defended Courage International with the following words:

“This is an outrage. In that document, Courage, which is a faithful apostolate to help Catholics who struggle with homosexuality — I’ve worked with them for many years — they’re denigrated, they’re criticized, they’re put down. Why don’t we have a testimony from a Courage member about how you can live with a homosexual orientation in chastity and fidelity to the Gospel? There’s none of that. There isn’t because this is a propaganda effort. This is not an effort to try to elucidate what is the meaning of God’s revelation about man, woman, and sexuality.”

In that context, the response of Courage International seems not only understandable, but justified. Their statement argues that the Synodal report committed calumny and detraction by portraying the apostolate in a misleading and damaging way.

After reading their response, I believe their concerns deserve serious consideration, especially because Catholic morality places great importance on justice and protecting another person’s reputation.

Courage explained that the Synodal document associated them with “reparative therapy” and implied harmful practices without ever consulting the organization directly. Yet Courage firmly stated that it “is not nor ever has been involved” in such therapy.

It is difficult to reconcile the Church’s call for listening and dialogue with the apparent failure to hear from the very apostolate being criticized.

What also struck me was Courage’s defense of confidentiality. The annex of the synodal document reportedly described members as lonely, hopeless, and emotionally distressed.

Even if some individuals genuinely struggle, publicly presenting vulnerable people in that way risks detraction — the unjust harming of another person’s good name.

Courage International exists precisely to help Catholics pursue chastity, friendship, prayer, and holiness in a supportive environment. Reducing its members to negative stereotypes seems unfair and pastorally insensitive.

As Catholics, we should be alarmed by documents like this. It is becoming clearer to many that synodality is being used to slowly normalize positions incompatible with Catholic teaching while marginalizing apostolates that remain faithful to traditional doctrine.

There is legitimate concern when organizations like Courage International, fully recognized by the Church and dedicated to the salvation of souls — especially those experiencing same-sex attraction — are portrayed negatively without fairness or honest dialogue.

Courage’s response is persuasive because it appeals to principles Catholics should always defend: truth, charity, justice, and the protection of human dignity.

Authentic accompaniment cannot be built on caricatures or one-sided narratives. This is why I believe synodality, as it is currently being promoted, must be resisted. Like Fiducia Supplicans and Traditionis Custodes, it has contributed to confusion and decline within the Church and should be rejected or overturned.

Organizations like Courage International deserve to be heard honestly and represented accurately, not treated as obstacles to a predetermined agenda.

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