Conversion Therapy isn’t Catholic

By Sisters Margaret Mary McBride and Patricia Combies on behalf of the Goal 8 Love and Abundant Justice Workgroup 

‘Conversion’ is a profound experience within Catholicism. Most famously, Saul, the zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians, was converted on the road to Damascus, becoming Saint Paul (Acts 9).

True conversion requires that you “put off your old nature” (Eph. 4:22) and turn toward God. It is something that one must choose as God gives us free will in all things. Christ himself set this example as he “invited people to faith and conversion but never coerced them. ‘For he bore witness to the truth but refused to use force to impose it…’” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 44).

This is why conversion therapy isn’t Catholic. In fact, it is the opposite. 

But what, exactly, is “conversion therapy?”  

Also known as “reparative therapy,” conversion therapy is the range of discredited practices that attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Typically, this kind of “therapy” is imposed on young LGBTQ+ people by their parents, guardians or conservative religious leaders to ‘pray the gay away’ and can include coercion, rejection, isolation and blame.

Mainstream certified mental health and medical organizations have vehemently rejected these practices because they are not evidence-based and do not work. In fact, decades of research point to risks of danger from such practices.  

Conversion therapy has its roots in the 1800s when psychologists believed that homosexuality and gender dysphoria should be cured or punished rather than understood as parts of one’s God-given identity. These preconceived notions were also rooted in religious and societal programming when anything out of the ‘norm’ was considered bad.  

Science, medicine and therapy have advanced greatly since the 1800s, but our collective hearts have remained closed to the full spectrum of human identity. The current political climate has caused a shameful resurgence in the promotion of conversion therapy.

Conversion therapy isn’t Catholic because we are called to embrace our LGBTQ+ loved ones exactly as they are.  

Conversion therapy isn’t Catholic because this so-called therapy only does harm. It is often associated with long-lasting consequences including: 

• Depression 
• Anxiety 
• Suicidal ideation 
• Substance abuse 
• PTSD

Conversion therapy isn’t Catholic because it is rooted in prejudices about the types of identities that are ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’ These prejudices are not necessarily deliberate choices we are making; rather, they are ordinary ways of thinking about which we haven’t personally challenged ourselves.  

So rather than forcing a conversion upon others, let us consider a conversion in our own hearts. How can we convert to being more open-minded, loving and accepting of all God’s people?  How can we really listen to the sacred stories of others?