Bochanski said making the chaplain's handbook public would help respond to false understandings of the work of the Courage apostolate.
He said "there are more than a few people in the Church and in the wider society who have misunderstandings, or have been told deliberate mischaracterizations, of our approach to ministry."
"Some individuals and groups opposed to the Church's teaching use such mischaracterizations in an attempt to discredit our apostolate or marginalize it," he continued. "I am hopeful that, by posting the Handbook online, we will have a greater opportunity to speak for ourselves to anyone interested in understanding our approach, and in doing so finally put these misunderstandings to rest."
The latest handbook edition was drafted with comment from Courage staff, members and chaplains of Courage and EnCourage, the apostolate's board of directors, bishops on its episcopal board, and diocesan staff responsible for granting church approval and imprimaturs.
Bochanski characterized the handbook as "the work of many hands, minds and hearts."
"Fundamentally, our approach is based on the pastoral insights of our founding director, Father John F. Harvey, OSFS, whose memory is still quite vibrant whenever we gather, especially with our older members," he told CNA.
Each handbook has been shaped by the apostolate chaplains' insights, especially those of the second executive director, Father Paul Check, Bochanski said.
"As we gather with our members at chapter meetings and conferences, we learn from their experience and questions what techniques are most effective in pursuit of the goals," he said. "As we talk to clergy and others in ministry, we understand which questions are most important to those on the 'front line' of pastoral ministry at a given point in the life of the Church."
"As we encounter challenges and criticisms from others who take a different pastoral approach, we are motivated to present and express the Church's teachings more clearly," said the priest.
"As questions of sexuality and sexual identity become an increasingly important part of our discussions as a Church and as a society, I believe Courage International is well equipped to contribute to those discussions with a clear witness to the authentic teaching of the Gospel and the Church. Our new Handbook is an important part of our efforts to make such a contribution."
Courage International plans to translate the new edition of the handbook into Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, Polish and Lithuanian.
(Story continues below)
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
The apostolate recently named a new assistant director, Father Colin Blatchford. The 36-year-old served for over two years as chaplain for Courage and EnCourage in the Diocese of Knoxville. He was ordained a priest in 2014, graduated from Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Ave Maria University in 2006.
"It is with zeal and a healthy fear of the Lord that I look forward to taking on this new role. I look forward to serving the apostolate and growing in my knowledge, understanding, and compassion for those whom it serves," Blatchford said July 27.
While he remains a priest of the Knoxville diocese, Blatchford will reside in Connecticut's Diocese of Bridgeport. His position will begin Sept. 8 at Courage International headquarters in Trumbull, Connecticut, a town just outside of Bridgeport.
Bishop Richard Stika of the Diocese of Knoxville praised Blatchford's devotion to sharing the Catholic faith and his "very compassionate heart."
"He possesses an ability to connect with people of all ages, but especially young people, with understanding and empathy," Stika said.
The addition of Father Blatchford will help the apostolate do more outreach to clergy and others in ministry through conferences and local presentations. It will help provide Bochanski with greater outreach to Latin America, where, he said, "there is increasing interest in the pastoral support that our apostolate provides."