Loving and fearless

“He should not be forgotten…”

I had the blessing of meeting and talking with Fr. Harvey several times during his life.

I first met him at the "Courage International" conferences. I'm a Theology of the Body presenter and I always liked to question him about various issues, run my ideas by him, and ask for advice on how best to present the truth in charity. He was always so willing to share his wisdom--and I still put his counsels into practice.

Father was such a gentle and loving soul. I knew him only in his old age, and he was truly "grandfatherly" to everyone who approached him, especially the members of Courage. He never seemed to employ "tough love," but rather his simple, personal and profound love for each one galvanized them toward their own true good. He focused on each individual as though they were the only person in the room, and gave generously of his intelligence, warmth and insight. He could be interrupted in the middle of a meal, on the way out the door, and he would drop everything and give you his time.

Fr. Harvey lovingly and fearlessly provided pastoral care to those with same-sex attraction, even in the face of increasingly hostile opposition, without ever backing down. He should not be forgotten, but rather prominently recognized, especially into today's culture of ever more unscientific, illogical, harmful and out-of-control gender ideology which is preying on society's most vulnerable, wreaking havoc in their lives.

Sr. Helena Raphael Burns, fsp
Daughters of St. Paul