The Homosexual Person: New Thinking in Pastoral Care

This excellent book is an attempt to bring a catholic-holistic view on homosexuality. The book is divided into parts treating homosexuality as phenomenon from psychological, theological and practical pastoral point of view. The main psychology schools involved in treating this anomaly are sketched. Good arguments and explanations on the actual situation in the sectors of psychology and psychiatry concerning the present view on homosexuality are given - with many eye openers. Harvey comments, polemizes and refutes with very good arguments views of some five known catholic dissenter theologians. A balanced catholic magisterial view on homosexuality is given with comments on the 1985 Vatican note on homosexuality. All written in a sober,humble language without any unnecessary sensation or judgemental attitude against the homosexuals. Harvey shows breadth and profoundity of his knowledge and shares many good practical insights. But I still lack more practical guidelines. All in all the book is an excellent introduction. Father Harvey wrote 1996 yet another highly recommendable book on this topic. It is worth while to read both of them!

First I must say that I am very thankful to God Almighty for these two great priests and shepherds of the faithful for having the courage to write a great book that reveals the truth about the worst disease that has plagued this century. Father Harvey's and Father Goreschel's research has helped me and many others, especially those involved with the Courage and Encourage support groups, to understand homosexuality and to know that it can be treated, to know how to live chaste and thus fulfilling lives in the midst of contrary opinions and thinking, to know how to support others who are seeking help in dealing with their own tendencies or how to be healed from a life of homosexual practice, to know how to reach out and help families who are also dealing with loved ones who are suffering from homosexuality, and to give hope and true loving support to everyone faced with this problem, that one can be healed and live normal and faith-filled lives. I know these authors personally and I also know many people whose lives have been miraculously transformed by knowing the truth through their books,through personal counselling, and especially through the loving and dynamic community support of Courage and Encourage. This book and the other books by these two great priests can only help those who want to be helped and who have the courage to know, confront, and accept the truth because the TRUTH (which can never change) will set you FREE!