“Our everything is Jesus Christ,” says a Springs diocesan facilitator of 12-step program for gays

January 19th, 2011, 5:51 pm · 5 Comments · posted by

Given the backlash to the Catholic Twelve Steps of Courage story published in the Gazette Wednesday, it seems many people were caught by surprise.

It appear that not many people had heard of the program before the Catholic Diocese of Colorado Springs adopted it. Read my Gazette story on the backlash here.

The Rev. Mark Zacker, of Corpus Christi Church in Colorado Springs, is a facilitator of the controversial Twelve Steps of Courage, a 12-step program similar to that of Alcoholics Anonymous that supports homosexuals.

Here is what he told me Wednesday on the program: “It is not therapy. It is support and prayer for those who desire to live the chaste life.”

Zacker said people create their whole identity on their sexuality. But “for Christians, our everything is Jesus Christ. Jesus would be the orientation. Then everything, the other parts of our life – our personality, our sexuality — is served primarily by Christ.”

Twelve Steps of Courage
More info: call the Rev. Larry Brennan at St. Peter Church, 481-3511; or the Rev. Mark Zacker at Corpus Christi Church, 633-1457; or go to http://www.couragerc.net

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wharmaster says:

January 19, 2011 at 9:50 pm

I think we need a twelve step program for xians. These people are obviously suffering from an unhealthy obsession and need help.

Pastor Roy says:

January 20, 2011 at 8:10 am

Again people have sinful nature that is in conflict with our desire to follow Christ.

pk1955 says:

January 20, 2011 at 9:08 am

Part of the success of the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous is due to the fact that members are encouraged to have their own concept of God. No one in AA can tell another member that he must accept Jesus or Buddha or Allah or a doorknob. Each member has their own concept of their Higher Power. The original article “Springs Diocese starts 12-step program for gays” said “The first step toward participation is a one-on-one pastoral counseling session. That’s followed by possible membership in the program, which are weekly confidential meetings run by members, who can be Catholic or non-Catholic.” This seems to imply that the choose-your-own-higher-power idea is in alignment with AA. However in this article, Zacker is quoted as saying But “for Christians, our everything is Jesus Christ. Jesus would be the orientation. Then everything, the other parts of our life – our personality, our sexuality — is served primarily by Christ.” In other words, you must accept Jesus. If you are truly trying to stay true to the 12 Steps as developed by AA, you cannot foist a higher power upon the participants. This is an adaptation doomed to failure.

Donavan says:

January 20, 2011 at 9:25 am

If gay people were actually honest when they say that being gay really has little to do with gay sex, then they would have no problem with this story and this group. But then again, they are lying as usual.
Is it really an obsession to want to stop the corruption of our world? There will always be those who are obsessed with making defiled comments on websites against Christians though.

January 20, 2011 at 12:46 pm

oops. never mind