BARCELONA, Spain, JUNE 7, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC) is not associated with a German group that claims homeopathic treatments will cure homosexuality, a statement confirmed today.
FIAMC responded to news reported in a variety of European periodicals about a group that calls itself the German Catholic Medical Association, based in Munich and directed by Dr. Gero Winkelmann.
FIAMC made clear that this association is not linked with its German (Katholische Ärztearbeit Deutschlands [KÄAD]) or European branches.
Winkelmann’s association is claiming the cure for homosexuality is based in homeopathy and other elements.
Though not backing the use of homeopathic cures, the president of FIAMC, José María Simón Castellví, clarified for ZENIT that homosexuality can be prevented and can change with treatment. The doctors deny the claim that one is born with the disorder.
Regarding medicine, Simón Castellví explained that many homosexuals have addictions (for example, to sex) or anxieties, and in such cases, medicine can be part of the treatment plan.
But he also pointed out that to deal with homosexuality, pastoral care is a key complement to medical help.
Homosexuality and Hope
As the FIAMC press release recalled, the group’s «positioning on homosexuality, in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church, is in the document ‘Homosexuality and Hope.'»
That statement, from 2000, notes studies on identical twins, and affirms, «Case histories frequently reveal environmental factors which account for the development of different sexual attraction patterns in genetically identical children, supporting the theory that same-sex attraction is a product of the interplay of a variety of environmental factors.»
The document goes on to speak of same-sex attraction as preventable and to consider methodology for therapy.
«If the emotional and developmental needs of each child are properly met by both family and peers, the development of same-sex attraction is very unlikely,» the statement affirms. «Children need affection, praise and acceptance by each parent, by siblings and by peers.»
«Homosexuality and Hope» also speaks of two Catholic apostolates for people with same-sex attraction, and their families and friends: Courage and EnCourage.
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On the Net:
FIAMC: www.fiamc.org
Homosexuality and Hope: www.narth.com/docs/hope.html
Courage: http://couragerc.net
