In the United States, the national conference of Catholic bishops rejects the concept of gender transition, leaving many transgender Catholics feeling left out.
On Wednesday, the Vatican made a starkly contrasting statement to the public, saying it was permissible, under certain circumstances, for trans Catholics to be baptized and serve as godparents.
“It’s a major step for trans inclusion … it’s big and good news,” said Francis DeBernardo, executive director of the Maryland-based New Ways Ministry, which advocates for greater LGBTQ acceptance in the church.
The document was signed on October 21 by Pope Francis and Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who heads the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
It was posted on Wednesday on the office’s website.
If it does not cause scandal or “disorientation” among other Catholics, a transgender person “can receive baptism under the same conditions as other believers,” the document said.
Likewise, the document says trans adults — even if they’ve undergone gender reassignment surgery — can serve as godfathers or godmothers under certain circumstances.
In October, Pope Francis signed a document stating that it is permissible, under certain circumstances, for trans Catholics to be baptized and serve as godparents.REUTERS
DeBernardo said this appears to be a reversal of the Vatican’s 2015 decision to bar a trans man in Spain from becoming a godparent.
During his papacy, Pope Francis has often expressed his interest in making the Catholic Church more welcoming to LGBTQ people, although doctrines rejecting same-sex marriage and sexual activity remain strong.
A small number of US parishes have formed LGBTQ support groups and welcome transgender people on their own terms.
Yet some Catholic dioceses have issued guidelines targeting trans people with restrictions and refusal to recognize their gender identity.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, head of the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, is a co-signer with Pope Francis.AP
The Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest who has advocated for years for greater LGBTQ inclusion in the church, welcomed the new document.
“In many dioceses and parishes, including in the US, transgender Catholics have been strictly forbidden to participate in church life, not because of any canon law, but because of the decisions of bishops, priests and pastoral partners,” he said. Via email.
“So the Vatican’s statement is a clear recognition not only of their individuality, but of their place in their own church,” he said. “I hope it helps the Catholic church think of them less as a problem and more as people.”
Since Pope Francis’ papacy began, the Vatican has often expressed interest in making the Catholic Church more welcoming to LGBTQ people.AP
According to the Vatican, the document is a response to a letter submitted in July by a Brazilian bishop who asked about the possible participation of LGBTQ people in baptisms and marriages.
DeBernardo said the document “proves that the Catholic Church can – and does – change its mind about certain practices and policies,” and he suggested that some of the diocese’s anti-trans policies may now need to be rescinded. But he expressed disappointment that the document maintains a ban on same-sex couples serving as godparents.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
