Lublin, Poland, Jun 7, 2008 / 01:14 am
Church-connected programs in Poland are ministering to people with same-sex attractions, encouraging them to live chaste lives amid their sufferings and burdens.
The Odwaga center, whose name means “Courage,” was founded in 2007 by the church-associated Light-Life Foundation. It reportedly offers “therapy” for homosexuals in the southeastern city of Lublin.
According to Agence France Presse, Odwaga programs require first-year participants to dedicate one weekend a month to support group sessions. In the two following years, they devote 20 hours a month to group therapy sessions led by psychologists, who are often priests.
They can also pray and receive Communion in the center’s chapel.
Lena Wojdan, a psychologist involved in Odwaga programs, described the program’s aims to Agence France Presse.