The Diocese of Cuenca has organized a course aimed at priests of the diocese on homosexuality, provoking controversy in the province south of Guadalajara. The course will be taught by Courage Spain, a branch of Courage International, a Catholic group that considers homosexuality a disorder and promotes chastity and prayer as ways of "healing."
In response to the controversy generated, the Diocese has clarified that it rejects conversion therapy and that Courage International seeks only to accompany those who freely wish to live their faith coherently. The Diocese of Cuenca reminds that the Holy See has rejected conversion therapies, a position that they also fully support.
The delegate for the Clergy of the Diocese, Felipe García Espejo, highlights the importance of addressing new pastoral challenges in light of changing social realities. Although protests have already taken place in front of the parish where the training will occur, the Diocese defends that Courage International aims to help individuals with same-sex attractions live chastity in line with Catholic doctrine.
In contrast, groups such as Podemos Cuenca and the transfeminist association NosOtras reject Courage International's chastity training, considering it intrusive and oppressive, and emphasize that LGTBIQ+ individuals do not require treatments. The Diocese insists that they seek to guide individuals according to Catholic morality and accompany them in their Christian living in all aspects of their lives.
