NEWS PROVIDED BY
Courage International
Feb. 6, 2026
Angelo Sabella, member of Courage International, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy
VATICAN CITY, Feb. 6, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — On the morning of February 6, 2026, Courage International was blessed to participate in a private audience with Pope Leo XIV. Present for the audience were: Most Rev. Frank Caggiano the bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut who is the Chairman of the Courage International Episcopal Board; Rev. Kyle Schnippel, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Chairman of the Courage International Executive Board; Rev. Brian Gannon, the Executive Director of Courage International; and Angelo Sabella, a Courage member of 31 years.
The opportunity to share with the Holy Father the works of the apostolate, to provide pastoral accompaniment to persons who experience same-sex attraction but who strive to live chaste lives or to accompany family members who have a loved one who identifies as LGBTQ, was a momentous occasion. The apostolate has grown steadily over the last 45 years, expanding to serve members in countries around the world. This historic occasion affirms the peaceful joy of the staff and members of Courage who seek to grow in holiness through living the truth in love.
Background
Courage International, Inc. is an apostolate of the Catholic Church which provides pastoral accompaniment to people who experience same-sex attraction who have chosen to live a chaste life. It was founded by Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS, at the request of the late Cardinal Terence Cooke. The first Courage chapter meeting was held in New York City in 1980, and it was this initial group which developed the Five Goals of Courage: Chastity, Prayer and Dedication, Fellowship, Support, and Good Example. Fr. Harvey was succeeded as executive director by Fr. Paul Check, who held the position from 2008 to the end of 2016. Fr. Check was then succeeded by Fr. Philip Bochanski from 2017 to May 2023. The current executive director is Fr. Brian Gannon.
Today, Courage has more than 160 chapters in 15 countries. Courage and EnCourage received canonical status in the Roman Catholic Church as a diocesan clerical association of the Christian Faithful on November 28, 2016.
EnCourage is an apostolate under the Courage umbrella which provides pastoral accompaniment for families and friends of persons who identify as LGBT and aims to teach them how to reach out to their loved ones with compassion and understanding without compromising their Catholic faith. The group was first formed in 1987 by families in search of guidance for supporting their loved ones who experience same-sex attractions. In 1992, this group adopted the name EnCourage. Currently, there are more than 100 EnCourage chapters in 8 countries.
For additional information, please visit our website at www.couragerc.org
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Papal Audience Attendees
Most Rev. Frank Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, chairman of the Episcopal Board, Courage International
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano has served as the Fifth Bishop of Bridgeport since 2013. He has dedicated every aspect of his diocesan work to drawing individuals closer to God and revitalizing Catholic culture. In 2016 he welcomed Courage International into the diocese as a diocesan, clerical, public association of the Christian Faithful. He currently sits on the Episcopal Board as chairman of the board.
For more information about Bishop Caggiano and the Diocese of Bridgeport please visit the website www.bridgeportdiocese.org
Contact: Marie Oates marie.oates@diobpt.org +1 617-290-7795
Rev. Kyle Schnippel, Courage chaplain, chairman of the Board of Directors, Courage International
Fr. Kyle Schnippel, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, serves as the chair of the Executive Committee of Courage International. Ordained in 2004 and serving as a Courage Chaplain since 2014, working with Courage has fundamentally changed his priesthood and his ability to see life through the experience of the Cross of Jesus Christ. He currently serves as Pastor of a large parish in Cincinnati.
Contact: Rev. Kyle Schnippel, Pastor of the St. Gabriel Family of Parishes in Dayton, Ohio
+1 937-233-1503, x104
Rev. Brian Gannon, Courage chaplain, executive director of Courage International
Fr. Brian Gannon has been Executive Director of Courage International since July of 2024 and is also pastor of St. Theresa Church in Trumbull CT. Fr. Gannon first became involved with Courage in 2003 when Fr. Paul Check asked him to assist in the first Courage chapter in the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT. From his first introduction to Courage, Fr. Gannon always saw the powerful hand of the Holy Spirit guiding this critical apostolate. He considers his involvement as an extraordinary grace for his priesthood.
Contact: director@couragerc.org +1 203-803-1564
Mr. Angelo Sabella, Courage member and staff
Angelo has been a dedicated member of the Courage apostolate since attending its annual conference in 1995. He participated faithfully in local Courage chapter meetings throughout New York and New Jersey, deepening his commitment to the mission of the Courage. In August 2006, he was invited to join the Courage office staff when it was located at St. John the Baptist Church in the Archdiocese of New York. Following the relocation of the office to the Diocese of Bridgeport in October 2010, Angelo continued his service there without interruption. Over the past twenty years, he has remained a steady and valued presence, contributing to the growth and support of the apostolate’s work. Angelo regards his service to Courage as a true vocation and considers it one of the greatest blessings of his life.
Contact: office@couragerc.org +1 203-803-1564
SOURCE Courage International
CONTACT: Communications Office, 203-803-1564, communications@couragerc.org