The facilitating role of conscience formation in becoming a self-affirming gay Catholic Christian

Brendan S O'Rourke

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The facilitating role of conscience formation in becoming a self-affirming gay Catholic Christian

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MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Brendan S O'Rourke. The Facilitating Role of Conscience Formation In Becoming a Self-affirming Gay Catholic Christian. Andover Newton Theological School. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ac5b9ba5-7e4d-4334-b9fd-1ad4cbade176.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

B. S. O'rourke. The facilitating role of conscience formation in becoming a self-affirming gay Catholic Christian. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ac5b9ba5-7e4d-4334-b9fd-1ad4cbade176

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Brendan S O'Rourke. The Facilitating Role of Conscience Formation In Becoming a Self-Affirming Gay Catholic Christian. Andover Newton Theological School. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/ac5b9ba5-7e4d-4334-b9fd-1ad4cbade176.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

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Brendan S O'Rourke

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Abstract

This paper presents the possibility and pastoral importance of facilitating within psychotherapy the self-affirmation of gay Catholic Christians. The underpinnings of this thesis are demonstrated through an examination of the Roman Catholic understanding of the Bible, tradition, current magisterial statements and broader theological reflection and experience in relation to homosexuality. The role of conscience and dissent in the history of the Catholic Church are discussed as central dynamics in coming to a stance of self-affirmation. It is argued from the perspective of conscience/dissent that self-affirmation as gay Catholic Christians is a theologically valid (if minority) position. Clinically, within a context of gay-affirmative psychotherapy it is demonstrated that an application of conscience/dissent to the magisterial teaching of the Church can be a fruitful way of helping a gay Catholic client individuate and achieve greater freedom to live deeply both humanly and spiritually.

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