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According to the Vatican, trans people can be baptized in the Catholic Church without running the risk of causing controversy or scandal.
According to Pope Francis, trans people who have undergone hormone therapy and gender reassignment surgery may be baptized” under the same problems as the other faithful.”
According to the notice released by the Church’s philosophical office on Wednesday, it is permitted “if there are no circumstances in which there is a risk of causing ensuing public scandal or distress among the faithful.”
The updated position even stated that transgender people may serve as godparents during baptisms, but that a pastor could decline if doing so “runs the risk of scandal, unfair legitimation, or disorientation in the episcopal community’s education field.”
In response to six inquiries from Bishop Jose Negri in Brazil regarding the inclusion of LGBT+ persons at rituals and weddings, Pope Francis issued the publication on October 21.
It denotes the Church’s efforts to be more accepting of trans people.
And those who have worked to increase understanding in the Church have welcomed it. It is a significant action toward trans participation, according to Francis DeBernardo of the New Ways Ministry in Maryland,US.
Transgender Catholics have been heavily barred from participating in church activities in some dioceses and parishes, according to the Reverend James Martin, a Jesuit priest who has also advocated for greater LGBT+ addition. This is not due to any cannon rules, but rather because of the decisions made by the bishop, priest, and agricultural associates.
Therefore, the Vatican’s affirmation is a blatant acknowledgement of both their identity and their position within their own church.
The decreed also provided an answer to Bishop Negri’s query regarding the legality of same-sex parents who adopt or use surrogate mother to have their children baptized in religion, stating that this was possible provided there was” a well-founded hope that the child may become educated in the Catholic faith.”
The affirmation stated that the individual had to “live a lifestyle that conforms to the faith” in order to serve as the godparent at the baptism.
The report, according to Mr. DeBernardo, “proves that the Catholic Church can and does change its mind about certain techniques and policies,” and he suggested that some diocese anti-trans policies may now need to be revoked.
Pope Francis made the remarks” God loves us as we are” to a fresh transgender people in July, which were seen as another engagement to the LGBT+ community.
Since he took over as the head of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, the Pope’s views on the LGBT+ group and gay marriage have generated curiosity and debate.
