Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church's stance on transgender people has been a topic of much discussion and debate in recent years. While there is no explicit mention of transgender individuals in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church's teachings on gender and sexuality have been interpreted as excluding the transgender experience. The Church's position is grounded in the belief that gender is binary and that it is determined by birth anatomy, with transgenderism being seen as a rejection of one's undeniable biological identity. However, many Catholics have expressed disagreement with this stance, arguing that it fails to recognize the complex interplay of biology and identity in shaping an individual's gender expression. This has led to a range of experiences for transgender Catholics, with some parishes embracing them while others have denied them membership. While Pope Francis has made comments welcoming the transgender community, the Vatican has also released documents that condemn gender-affirming surgery and reinforce traditional gender roles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic teachings | The Second Vatican Council made it clear that God's actions in people's lives are revealed not only in Scripture and church tradition but also in the developments of science and people's lived experiences. |
| Catholic view on transgender | The Catholic Church teaches that one is born either male or female, and this includes hermaphrodites. The Church believes that every human is created in the image and likeness of God, male or female. |
| Catholic view on gender-affirming surgeries | The Vatican has declared that gender-affirming surgeries and surrogacy are grave violations of human dignity, putting them on a par with abortion and euthanasia. |
| Catholic view on gender theory | Pope Benedict XVI denounced gender theory, stating that these ideas blur the distinction between male and female and could lead to the "self-destruction" of the human species. |
| Catholic view on LGBTQ+ inclusion | The experience of LGBTQ+ parishioners varies widely across dioceses and parishes. While some Catholic communities reach out to LGBTQ+ members, others have denied membership to LGBTQ+ individuals and families. |
| Catholic view on transgender inclusion | The experience of transgender Catholics varies depending on their communities. While some parishes have welcomed transgender people, others have issued guidelines forbidding the acknowledgment of gender transitions. |
| Catholic view on transgender baptismal sponsors | In 2015, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith effectively barred transgender Catholics from serving as baptismal sponsors by stating that transgender individuals do not possess the requisite to lead a life conformed to the faith and the position of a godparent. |
| Catholic view on transgender priests | There is no consensus among Catholic commentators on whether early Christian churches accepted or deplored transgender people and same-sex relationships. Some interpret biblical passages as condemning these identities, while others argue for acceptance. |
| Catholic view on transgender rights | Some transgender Catholics have expressed dismay at the Vatican's stance on gender theory and biological sex, stating that it shows a lack of understanding of their lives and subjects them to potential harm. |
| Catholic view on transgender ministry | There are Catholic organizations and individuals, such as Sister Luisa Derouen, who minister to the transgender community and advocate for their inclusion and acceptance within the Church. |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's stance on transgender people
However, the experience of transgender Catholics varies depending on their communities. Some parishes have welcomed transgender people and offered them support and acceptance. Pope Francis, for example, has welcomed a community of transgender women to his weekly general audiences, and in 2019, the Vatican forged close relations with a group of transgender women in Torvaianica. In addition, the Vatican has stated that those with "homosexual tendencies...must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity", and Pope Francis' famous "Who am I to judge?" comment has been interpreted as a neutralisation of the Church's previous stance against homosexuality.
On the other hand, some dioceses have issued guidelines forbidding the acknowledgment of gender transitions, and there have been instances of LGBTQ+ employees being dismissed from Catholic schools and parishes following the celebration of a same-sex marriage. The Church's stance on transgender people has been a source of internal debate, with some arguing that it shows a lack of understanding of transgender Catholics' lives and condemning them as individuals.
The Church's position on gender-affirming surgery is also a point of contention. While the Church does not require individuals to undergo surgery to reverse a "sex change", it has declared that gender-affirming surgeries are grave violations of human dignity, putting them on a par with abortion and euthanasia as practices that violate God's plan for human life. The Church's Congregation for Catholic Education has published a document titled "Male and Female He Created Them", which rejects the terms "transgender" and "intersex" and criticizes the idea that people can choose or change their gender.
Overall, while the Catholic Church does not have an official policy on transgender individuals, its doctrinal teachings and the varying stances of different parishes suggest a complex and evolving relationship with the transgender community.
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Pope Francis' support for transgender people
Pope Francis has made some efforts to support transgender people, although his stance on gender ideology has been criticised as conflicting and confusing.
In 2024, Pope Francis met with a group of transgender and intersex Catholics, along with LGBTQ+ allies and a medical doctor specialising in transgender healthcare. This meeting was organised by Loretto Sister Jeannine Gramick, a Catholic outreach advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Church. During the meeting, five of the 11 Catholics who met with the Pope offered personal testimonies of their experiences living as or working with intersex and transgender individuals. This was not the first time the Pope had met with transgender people, having previously invited them to his audiences and held private audiences.
In 2023, Pope Francis met with Sister Gramick at the Vatican, following two years of written correspondence between them. In 2022, the Vatican stated that it was permissible for transgender people to be baptised as Catholics and serve as godparents. Pope Francis has also welcomed a community of transgender women to his weekly general audiences.
However, in March 2024, Pope Francis referred to "gender ideology" as the "ugliest danger" and "worst danger" of our time, stating that it cancels out all differences between men and women, and thus "erases humanity". He has also denounced gender-affirming surgeries as a violation of human dignity, on a par with abortion and euthanasia.
Some transgender Catholics have expressed dismay at the Pope's stance, stating that it shows no understanding of their lives and that the Church still has a lot to learn about transgender issues. Despite this, Pope Francis has been described as "a good and holy man", and transgender Catholics remain hopeful that the Church will become more accepting and recognise the gifts that transgender people have to share.
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The Catholic Church's teachings on gender
The Church's position is that a person's gender is assigned at birth based on their biological anatomy, and that this gender is immutable. This belief is grounded in the idea that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God, either male or female, as stated in Genesis 1:26-27. The Church encourages individuals to discover their true identities as children of God, rather than rejecting their biological identity through gender transition or reassignment. The Church does not recognise the concept of "gender confirmation", instead viewing it as "gender reassignment".
In recent years, there have been efforts within the Church to increase understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals. Pope Francis has welcomed a community of transgender women to his weekly general audiences, and in 2023, the Vatican stated that it is permissible for transgender people to be baptised as Catholics and serve as godparents under certain circumstances. Additionally, some parishes have actively welcomed transgender people, such as the Church of Our Lady of Grace in Hoboken, New Jersey.
However, the Church's teachings on gender and sexuality have also been a source of criticism, with some transgender Catholics expressing dismay at the Vatican's rejection of the concept of changing one's biological sex. The Vatican has declared that gender-affirming surgeries and surrogacy are grave violations of human dignity, equating them with practices like abortion and euthanasia. Pope Benedict XVI has denounced the idea of gender transition, warning that it blurs the distinction between male and female and could lead to the "self-destruction" of humanity.
The experience of transgender Catholics can vary widely depending on their specific communities and dioceses. While some parishes have welcomed and supported LGBTQ+ members, others have denied membership or employment to individuals based on their gender identity or same-sex relationships. The Church's teachings on gender and sexuality continue to evolve, influenced by scientific developments, lived experiences, and ongoing interpretations of Scripture and tradition.
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Transgender people's experiences in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church's stance on transgender people is that a person's gender is assigned at birth, based on their anatomy, and that gender is exclusively binary. This view is grounded in the belief that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, male or female (Gen. 1:26-27). The Church does not support the idea of gender transition or gender-affirming surgery, seeing it as a rejection of one's undeniable biological identity. Instead, the Church encourages people to discover their true identities as children of God, rooted in their biological sex.
Transgender people within the Catholic Church have experienced profound discrimination and rejection. They have faced obstacles such as being denied roles in baptisms, as seen in the case of an openly transgender man who was not permitted to be a godfather to his nephew. Additionally, official Catholic doctrine rejects the terms "transgender" and "intersex", further alienating transgender individuals.
Despite these challenges, many transgender Catholics remain faithful and actively seek to educate others about their experiences and the commitment to living with integrity. They challenge the Church to expand its understanding of gender and to embrace them as God's precious children. This is exemplified by the affirmation of Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who, when asked by a trans man if there was a place for him and his queer friends in the Church, responded, "You belong to the heart of this church. There is nothing that you may do, may say, that will rip you from the heart of this Church."
Some Catholic leaders have shown support for the transgender community, such as Pope Francis, who has prayed for transgender women and the nuns who minister to them. Additionally, the Second Vatican Council affirmed that God's actions are revealed not only in Scripture but also in scientific developments and the lived experiences of people, which includes the experiences of transgender individuals. While there may be a lack of understanding about being transgender, there is reputable medical evidence that verifies the reality of transgender people's experiences.
Overall, while the official position of the Catholic Church on transgender issues remains rooted in traditional interpretations of scripture and biology, there are signs of evolving attitudes within the Church, with some members advocating for inclusion, recognition, and support for transgender people.
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Catholic views on gender-affirming surgery
The Catholic Church has officially expressed opposition to gender transition, citing Biblical references to God creating humans as "male and female". The Vatican has declared gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy as "grave violations of human dignity", equating them with practices that reject God's plan for human life, such as abortion and euthanasia. This stance has been criticised by LGBTQ+ Catholics and advocates as outdated, harmful, and contradictory to the Church's goal of recognising the "infinite dignity" of all God's children. They argue that it could fuel anti-trans violence and discrimination, especially in the context of state-sponsored violence against the LGBTQ+ community worldwide.
The Vatican's position is based on the belief in the complementarity of biologically male and female sex organs for procreation. They reject the idea that one's gender can be changed, characterising it as an "ugly ideology". Pope Francis, while affirming the existence of two sexes, has shown some openness to the LGBTQ+ community, calling for Catholic bishops to welcome them into the Church and approving blessings for same-sex couples. However, his recent approval of a treatise on human dignity, which includes gender theory and gender-affirming surgeries as violations, has been met with mixed reactions.
Some Catholic theologians view the Vatican's declaration as a rearticulation of existing Church teachings on gender, but they disagree on whether it adequately addresses the realities of transgender people's experiences. They also question the possibility of further doctrinal developments. While the Church maintains its stance on gender, individual Catholics may have varying opinions, and some dioceses in the United States prohibit the use of preferred pronouns.
Catholic commentators have differing views on transgender people and gender-affirming surgery. Some denounce it as "mutilation" and "intrinsically evil", while others, like Bishop Burbidge, urge Catholics to show love and compassion to transgender individuals while avoiding the use of gender-affirming terms and pronouns, as these are considered inconsistent with Church teachings.
The Church's stance on gender-affirming surgery has been criticised as "dangerously ignorant" and anti-science by activists, who argue that it perpetuates negative beliefs rooted in patriarchy and colonialism. They emphasise the potential harm to transgender youth and the lifesaving nature of gender-affirming care.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church teaches that gender is exclusively binary and that every person should "acknowledge and accept his sexual identity". It equates birth anatomy with gender and emphasises binary heterosexual marriage and family roles.
Catholics are divided on the issue of being transgender. Some believe that the early Christian churches deplored transgender people and same-sex relationships. They argue that gender is determined at birth, based on observed anatomy, and that gender reassignment surgery is a "disordered attempt to reject their undeniable biological identity". However, others argue that the early Christian churches accepted transgender people and same-sex relationships. They believe that being transgender is not a choice, but rather a result of the brain signalling a person's internal sense of gender identity.
Pope Benedict XVI denounced the concept of gender transition, warning that these ideas blur the distinction between male and female. However, Pope Francis has welcomed a community of transgender women to his weekly general audiences and has emphasised the need to accompany transgender people.
Catholic parishes are divided in their response to transgender people. Some parishes have welcomed transgender people, while others have denied membership to LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
Transgender Catholics have expressed disappointment with recent Vatican documents that reject the concept of changing one's biological sex. They argue that these documents show a lack of understanding of their lives and could fuel harm and discrimination towards transgender individuals.
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