The male interview for September is Daniel Mattson. The first time I ever heard of him was when my husband and I watched the free documentary “Desire of the Everlasting Hills.” It’s a very well done documentary that talks with three different individuals who struggle with same-sex attraction but are now committed to living a chaste life. The honesty in that documentary is very raw and refreshing. Since watching that movie, I have listened to Daniel speak on Catholic Answers and Matt Fradd’s podcast “Pints With Aquinas.” I’m always so impressed by how forthcoming he is and real. Daniel lives out the Catholic Church’s teaching for those that struggle with same-sex attraction. He lives a chaste life and he sounds like a genuinely happy and fulfilled man. I know that it is a cross for him, but he inspires me to carry my burdens and crosses more joyfully and humbly. He wrote a book called, “Why I Don’t Call Myself Gay,” which as you can imagine is very controversial. He also works with Courage International, a Catholic apostolate where those that struggle with same-sex attraction can “receive pastoral support in the form of spiritual guidance, community prayer support, and fellowship.” Hisย blog site is called “Letters to Christopher.” I hope you enjoy his interview as much as I do.
1. Are you a cradle Catholic or a convert? If a convert, where did you convert from?
It’s complicated. I was a cradle Catholic but my family left the Catholic Church when I was about 11 or 12 and joined an evangelical church. I had First Communion before I left, though I hadn’t been confirmed. Anyway, growing up in the evangelical church is really what I remember the most from my childhood and when my family all started to return to the Catholic Church when I was in my mid-to-late twenties that became very strange. But God slowly brought me back to the Church through the suffering of my own choices and His desire to redeem the poor choices I made. In a miraculous turn of events, I was reconciled with the Church in 2009 and have grown deeper in love with God and the Church ever since.
2. Who is your favorite saint and why?
My favorite saint is St. Clement of Alexandria. He is one of the early Church Fathers and he took up with the Greeks where Saint Paul left off. Recall the moment on Mars Hill where St. Paul spoke to them of the god with no name and that this was Yahweh the God of Israel. They weren’t convinced, but they said, “We will wait and hear you again.” The person they heard again was St. Clement of Alexandria. He was very instrumental in writing against pagan beliefs and promoting the true beliefs of Christianity. I stumbled upon his writings particularly on sexual morality and I was sold on his clarity of thinking and boldness in preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Church’s teaching on chastity. His writings inspired me very much, so that’s why I chose him as my patron saint.
3. What has been your favorite Catholic place that you’ve visited? Where do you hope to visit?
Well, of course, I need to say Rome. I’ve been to Rome twice now and it’s been spectacular to be there where it all happens and particularly go visit St. Peter’s Basilica. But, in Italy, I’ve also been to Assisi and that was spectacular and one of the holiest and most spiritual places I’ve ever been in my life. I long to go back. As to where I would like to go, I hope one day to go to the Holy Land.
4. What is a misconception that you frequently about the Catholic Church? What’s the truth of it?
Well, the biggest misconception of the Church I hear in my particular ministry is that the Church hates those who identify as LGBTQ. That couldn’t be further from the truth. As a man who lives with same-sex attraction and went my own way living the life of the prodigal son, I had no love for the church, but then I found that the Church was the sanest and wisest and safest place for me to be. That took me by surprise, but so much in the Christian world takes one by surprise. God really truly does love all of us and He says no to us and certain behaviors because he loves us. The “noes” of God often are perceived as hatred but it’s not hatred when God says no to us, rather it’s love.
5. Besides the Eucharist, what is your favorite part of the Mass?
Agnus Dei, you take away, the sins of the world. Miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, you take away, the sins of the world. Dona nobis pacem.)
6. Why do you love being Catholic?
