Yesterday’s article features more reactions to Dignitas Infinita, the Vatican declaration on individual dignity released last Monday that quickly condemned “Gender Theory” and “Sex Change,” though it confirmed church teaching against anti-queer criminalization and discrimination. For all of Bondings 2.0’s coverage of the declaration, including past messages from transgender and intersex Catholics, as well as theologians and agricultural ministers, see the posts listed above.
Michael Sennett, a trans Catholic man, Bondings 2.0 source, and part of New Ways Ministry’s Advisory Board, told the Associated Press:
Avoiding the word “transgender” implies that transgender people are being denied affirming care, even if that is the church’s intention. Trans people who take estrogen or undergo surgeries are not playing God, but instead respect and accept their true selves. Transitioning is a lifeline rather than a health plan intended to attract people.”
Maddie Marlett, a president in DignityUSA, commented in a statement, in part:
“As a transwoman, I am told by this report I am playing God and misapplying my spiritual freedom. I can’t help but feel depressed for the irony of church leaders wanting to end me and other people’s lives on the verge of a serious mental health crisis instead of giving me the moral dignity to discover my truth as reflected in the diversity of love that God’s image holds. My decision to transition and affirm my gender was rooted in my search for existential dignity and social dignity. I wish the Vatican did observe my unalienable integrity and treat me with love and respect for transgender and intersex people.
Christine Zuba, a trans Catholic woman and advocate, told AP:
Trans people are being demonized for who they are, and more significantly, we become vulnerable to potential harm. We exist, but we do not. We have integrity, but we do not. I don’t even want to consider what the political and religious right will think about this. However, our church still has a LOT to learn. We are Not an Ideology. Speak to us. Know.”
Virginia Saldanha, a co-founder of Rainbow Catholics India and previous head of the Office of Laity and Family of the Eastern Catholic Bishops’ Forum, told The Free Press Journal:
“It saddens me that the church chooses to adhere to a completely archaic ideology in the twenty-first century. I wonder if Jesus were with us today, would he reject Queer people and tell them they don’t fit in? In order to completely sinners, women, and other alleged marginalized people and combine them into society, Jesus broke so many barriers during his time. It is really depressing that the established Church does not display Jesus’ compassion and understanding.
Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, called the declaration “very disappointing and hurtful,” adding in her statement:
“It is also surprising to discover gender affirmation treatments classified as the same kind of risks to human respect as war, poverty, human trafficking, and sexual abuse. Why do those who suffer from female distress never receive medical care if those who have congenital heart or kidney disease may? If unattended, this can also be life-threatening…
The Vatican should take into account the trans people’s stories of how gender-affirming treatment has allowed them to live full, affluent, effective lives and finally experience the unity of body and soul, according to the Pope.
Kate McElwee, senior director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, which includes nonbinary students in its fellowship program, issued a statement, saying:
“The document affirms each person possesses an ‘infinite dignity’ and is due the protection of their human rights. However, any claims to eternal dignity are overshadowed by dated and harmful theories of gender essentialism, particularly given how painfully ignorant they are of trans and gender-diverse people’s lived experiences are. We commit to remaining steadfast advocates for universal justice and pray for our beloved community’s diverse population.
Fr. James Martin, SJ, author of Building a Bridge, focused his comments on the declaration’s section about sexual orientation, saying:
“I’m glad that the Vatican has once more publicly criticized all forms of violence against Gay people, including executions and imprisonments. That is a violation of human dignity that cannot be repeated very frequently. The LGBTQ people, like everyone else, has unbounded dignity.”
LGBT+ Catholics Westminster in England welcomed the recent assurance of individual dignity and human rights, but the statement continued:
The Declaration’s excellent principles, unfortunately, are abrogated when it comes to acknowledging the reality of sex transition and the use of infertility by LGBT+ people and others as they pursue their right to self-identity and community formation. The lack of exposition of female principle and the pseudo-concept of “gender ideology,” created by those opposed to developing knowledge of the variety of gender identities and the impact of social construction, add to the confusion of gender transition with the treatment of vaginal abnormalities such as experienced by trans people.
The group added that while the church’s repeated condemnation of anti-LGBT+ criminalization was admirable, “the document should go beyond criticizing governments for these policies; in too many nations Catholic Bishops’ Conferences have collaborated with and actively supported such human rights abuses.” When will these be brought to order and in line with Pope Francis’ pastoral approach and the inclusion of LGBT+ people in Church and society, according to Westminster LGBT+ Catholics?
A group of all-male, celibate clergymen are telling women and gender-expanded people that their lived experiences are not real or valid, according to Jamie Manson, president of Catholics for Choice. Manson added:
“I am hurt and angry on behalf of women– who have had abortions, who have dealt with violence in their homes, who reject the rigid gender norms imposed on us by the church – and LGBTQIA+ people, specifically trans people. I am aware that the women and transgender people who continue to identify as Catholics only do so because of a deep love for our faith and its traditions, despite documents like this completely
disregarding our experiences. Our leaders do not reciprocate the same love and respect that we do. Our lived truths are constantly being distorted, which severely harms our spiritual well-being and leaves us feeling helpless…
Pope Francis continues to ignore the importance of ending violence against women despite the talk that this document places a premium on the need to end violence against women. The church has an enormous, life-or-death influence over the bodies of women and gender-expanded people.
Fr. Alexander Santora, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Grace, Hoboken, explained to AP his fears the declaration could be wielded against LGBTQ+ people despite its condemnation of discrimination:
I worry, though, that the language of this document will make trans people feel worse and will make the country more hateful, with more oppressive laws that will cause violence and suicides. I sincerely hope the Vatican summons some virtuous trans Catholics from around the world to dissect this document and make it more pastoral.
Daniella Mendonca, a transgender member of Rainbow Catholics India, explained in a news report:
The Vatican has once more attempted to talk about human dignity and, in the process, taken the human dignity of gender-fluid people by the hand. They have forgotten that LGBTQ people are people of faith who have the right to choose what they want and not.”
Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, commented in a statement:
The “Pope Francis” ministry has been defined by placing people in the center, and he has met and blessed transgender people, insisting that they are a part of the Church and should be included and treated with respect. The hardliners in the Vatican’s release of this document reveals the threat they see from the Pope’s acceptance and inclusion. People are not a “theory” or “ideology”, and the church now runs the risk of harming an already-discriminated population by debating their personhood.
Michael O’Loughlin, executive director of Outreach, commented in an article:
One lesson from my decade of covering LGBTQ issues and the Catholic Church is that any church door that is open to LGBTQ people cannot be taken for granted. The courage of generations of LGBTQ Catholics who told their stories, stayed true to their baptismal rights and obligations, and viewed the future generations as they did when they fought to keep those doors shut is what keeps those cracked doors open.
Egale Canada, an LGBTQ+ rights group, described the declaration as “reprehensible,” adding, “Despite attempts to take small steps forward in support of 2SLGBTQI communities, the Vatican has now decided to take many large steps back. The Catholic Church’s decision to treat the 2SLGBTQI population as inferior is a grave violation of human dignity.
Jason Steidl Jack, professor of religious studies at St. Joseph’s University, New York, described the declaration as “the Newsmax version of Catholic theology.” He told Vox:
“‘Cardinal Fernandez, the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith, had essentially said Catholics for that they were going to be throwing traditionalists a bone…]Dignitas Infinita] tells trans people that they are a threat to the world, that they are a threat to order, to the systems that God has set up …Unfortunately, the Vatican is contributing to these movements that seek to hurt trans people, that seek to eliminate them.'”
