2026-06-03
Dear Friends,
Pope Leo XIV just released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. He begins with a potent biblical analogy. When building a human community, he asks: are we building a new Tower of Babel in spite of God or a restored Jerusalem with God as central? In other words, do we build human communities on earth by ignoring God or by letting God be God? The beautiful thing about Courage International is that we reject the model of Babel. That Christ and His Bride, Holy Mother Church, is the foundation for our community of spiritual friendship, chastity and authentic Christan love. This is why Courage has been able to accomplish so much good, while also getting scorn from a world bent on building new Towers of Babel. No servant is greater than his master...
The last month has been extraordinary. The Vatican released a document from the 2024 Synod discussing same sex attraction that is methodologically deficient and thus intellectually dishonest; it uses only two men who extol sinful relationships as representative of all who experience same sex attraction. In addition, Courage itself is slandered and falsely accused of promoting reparative therapy. The forceful response of our executive board, members and the many supportive articles and interviews in the mainstream Catholic press has been heartening and illustrate a seeming spiritual constant: be faithful to Christ, radically faithful, and don't be surprised by attacks from the pagan world. But despite the stormy gales, Christ is ever present, walking on the churning sea, and we also can walk upon the sea safely, if we keep our eyes fixed on Christ like Peter.
June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the City of God. It is "pride" month for those intent on building Babel. The Sacred Heart reminds us of Christ's infinite love despite our weaknesses. He suffers on the cross, and His heart is pierced by a lance, instigating the blood and water of sacraments. Thus, at the very height of human rebellion against God, He offers only mercy in return. However, we must freely embrace His loving message: repentance and acceptance of His moral teaching, but with the great promise of His patient accompaniment every moment.
The authors of this terrible document think they can build a new Tower of Babel and reinvent God and sin. Courage International takes the road of authentic love, mercy and freedom via Christ's cross! Radical fidelity to Christ is the gospel call, but radical mercy is always there to pick us up. In modern Babel, it claims sin sets us free. In the City of God, we know chastity in Christ is what truly heals us and sets us free.
In Christ,
Father Brian Gannon
Executive Director