Change is Possible for Gays Says Catholic Psychologist

Summarized.. see link for article
Catholic Online By Genevieve Pollock 6/17/2009
Zenit News Agency

Change is possible... men and women can come out of homosexuality.

ENCINO, CA (Zenit) - A Catholic psychologist who specializes in reparative therapy with homosexuals says it's possible for those with same-sex attractions to change, despite agenda-driven ideologies that state the opposite. Joseph Nicolosi, founder and director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic in Encino, spoke with ZENIT about his experience as a clinical psychologist and the former president of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality ‘NARTH; (a non-religious & non-political organization).Nicolosi explained that NARTH has been actively working on a research project compiling scientific data to dispute the APA's claim on homosexuality, targeting three unscientific assumptions that form the basis of their policy. He stated that these are erroneous assumptions..

…The psychologist asserted that the "APA is not governed by scientists, but by political interests." "There has been no new data to justify their policies," he added, "but they tend to give in to social and political pressure," and thus "NARTH has been putting pressure on them to scientifically back up their stance on the biological nature of homosexuality." Nicolosi noted that "the most important scientific information" gives "much more evidence for environmental causes of homosexuality than for biological." Possible "This idea of 'once gay, always gay' is a political position, not a scientific position," he added. The therapist affirmed that he has seen this in his own private practice, and that it is also substantiated in a body of scientific research.

…"Within our profession," the psychologist explained, "we trump politics with science." In other words, if we challenge the APA with scientific data, it "has to override any political or special interest forces." The therapist emphasized the need for all people to share this message with homosexual persons that "you don't have to be gay." Encouragement If you know a homosexual person, he said, "encourage that person, educate him, give that person information, take the opportunity to let him know that choice is possible." "They need to believe it," he added. Nicolosi explained: "It is a very hard therapy. First of all, it is hard in itself because you have to dig deep into emotional issues. Homosexuality is not about sexual issues, but emotional. There are the emotional underpinnings that have to be addressed.

…"You're fighting a culture that is not supporting you, plus you have your own individual battle. So it's a two-front war." "With the AIDS epidemic, this could be about life and death here," he asserted. "We're not talking about something insignificant."

…The psychologist specifically referenced a 1986 document signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger before he became Pope, addressed to the Catholic bishops "On the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons." In the letter, the cardinal, at that time prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, outlined the moral underpinnings and practical considerations of the pastoral care of "those whose suffering can only be intensified by error and lightened by truth."
…

+++For Further Info:
National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality Web site: www.narth.com Cardinal Ratzinger's Letter: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html