Bret Baier: Legatus Magazine's anti-gay 'cure' doesn't 'seem to line up with the loving, accepting Church that I know'

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01/20/2015

by Jeremy Hooper

Anti-gay activist Peter LaBarbera has posted an email from Fox News anchor Bret Baier confirming that some of the Legatus Magazine text that I initially highlighted was, in fact, a big reason why he pulled out from the upcoming Legatus Summit:

From: Show -Special [[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 2:37 PM
To: ’Mike Carroll’
Subject: RE: Legatus cancellation

[xxxx],
Thank you for the email.

I pulled out of the speech at Fox’s request — because of the controversy surrounding some of these articles and editorials that have been published in the Legatus magazine.

Including this one about homosexuality –described as Same Sex Attraction Disorder – SSA:

“There are many reasons why people suffer from SSA disorder. Some “discover” this tendency within them. Others grow into it through pursuits of pleasure or experimentation. Some use it to punish themselves or others. Whether the disorder has some deep, unknown roots over which one has virtually no control, or whether it’s a developed disorder resulting from bad choices, it leaves an individual disposed toward activities and a lifestyle that are dangerous — physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Fortunately there is hope for those who suffer from the disorder. The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality reports that significant numbers of homosexual persons have undergone treatment and had their sexual drives properly ordered. These findings are a beacon of hope to those suffering from SSA, as well as for their family and friends who desire their happiness and good health. Finally, for those who for whatever reason cannot be cured, there is a support group known as Courage to help them live safe, moral, chaste lives. Those who continue to suffer from this disorder can find true help through an orientation toward their Savior and Redeemer, “the Orient from on High,” and the life that He offers them in Himself.

John M. Haas, Ph.D., is president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center and founding president of the International Institute for Culture. He is a member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.”

I am a lifelong mass attending Catholic – I’m a lector at my parish. I consider myself to be in line with my Church on most things. This isn’t about me.. but, describing homosexuality as a ‘disorder’ and talking about ways to ‘cure’ people from it – does not seem to line up with the loving, accepting Church that I know. Nor does it match up with how Pope Francis has talked about the issue recently.

I couldn’t speak because of that – I don’t wish the group any harm, but after Gary Sinise pulled out.. as a newsman, Fox agreed that I could not be surrounded by that controversy… as much as I would have loved to have talked about my book, my faith, and my son’s battle with congenital heart disease.

That is the truth.

I hope you and others can understand. If not.. I wish you well with your viewing.

Sincerely,

Bret.

[SOURCE]

I want to repeat, for the critics who refuse to hear me: I never, ever, ever, ever, ever—not even once—requested that Baier or anyone else pull out. I never wrote anyone, called anyone, launched any petition or boycotts, or wrote a single word beyond my one , very short post on the subject. They all—Baier, Gary Sinise, and Pete Coors—made their own decisions based solely on my simply highlighting information that Legatus had already published. I was literally a messenger promoting Legatus' very own views and teachings; the choice to pull out was every speaker's own.

But it was a good choice.

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