Vatican Warns Against Gender Reassignment Surgery Impact on Person's Dignity
In a recent statement approved by Pope Francis, the Vatican cautions against gender theory and highlights the risks posed by sex-change surgery to the unique dignity of individuals.
The Vatican, under the leadership of Pope Francis, has recently released a document titled "Dignitas Inifinita" (Infinite Dignity), which strongly warns against the concept of "gender theory." The document emphasizes that any sex-change surgery has the potential to undermine the unique dignity of an individual.
In addition to addressing the issue of "gender theory," the declaration also highlights various threats to human dignity. These threats include poverty, the death penalty, war, assisted dying, abortion, sexual abuse, and the mistreatment of women.
The Vatican doctrine office published a document on Monday stating that attempts to hide the differences between men and women should be rejected. It adds that any sex-change intervention generally risks undermining the unique dignity a person receives from conception.
The document mainly restates Catholic teachings on these topics without focusing on one issue like abortion. Instead, it highlights the equal dignity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. Regarding abortion, it strongly emphasizes the importance of defending unborn life, linking it closely to the defense of all other human rights.
The document also discusses surrogacy, stating that it goes against the dignity of both the child and the woman involved. Pope Francis has urged for a ban on the practice of surrogacy.
The pope has previously criticized gender ideology, calling it "ugly" for blurring the differences between men and women. The recent Vatican document quotes Francis referring to it as a type of "ideological colonization."
Pope Francis greets the crowd from a balcony as he shares his Easter message, "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world), at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican on March 31, 2024.
Pope Francis waves from a balcony, on the day he delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) message at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican March 31, 2024.
Yara Nardi/Reuters
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The Vatican has stated that gender theory aims to negate the significant difference between individuals: sexual difference, which is considered the most beautiful and powerful. The document discourages sex change surgery, emphasizing that the body is essential for the soul's expression. However, medical intervention is allowed for individuals with genital abnormalities.
Despite his criticism of gender theory, Francis has shown pastoral support for transgender Catholics. In fact, he has regularly met with a group of transgender Catholics from Torvaianica, south of Rome. The pontiff even invited them to a lunch in the Vatican, where they sat in the front row alongside 1,200 marginalized and homeless people.
Under the leadership of Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, a trusted ally of Francis, the Vatican's doctrine office has made progressive changes. Recently, transgender individuals have been allowed to serve as godparents at baptisms and witnesses at marriages. This marks a significant shift from the Vatican's 2015 ruling that barred transgender people from fulfilling these roles.
Not all Catholics have agreed with the Vatican criticisms of gender theory. One Catholic LGBTQ+ group found a 2019 document from the Vatican’s education office on gender identity to be harmful. Additionally, a deacon, who is able to marry, expressed concerns as the father of a transgender daughter.
The latest Vatican document highlights various violations of human dignity, including in the digital world. It points out the trend where personal lives are exposed and scrutinized anonymously, describing these tendencies as a negative aspect of digital advancements.
The death penalty, which Francis has condemned multiple times, is also mentioned in the document. It states that the death penalty goes against the inherent dignity of every individual. The pope has modified Catholic doctrine to deem the death penalty as "inadmissible," a decision that has sparked criticism from certain conservative Catholics.
Editor's P/S:
The Vatican's recent document, "Dignitas Inifinita," presents a complex stance on a range of issues impacting human dignity. While the document strongly opposes "gender theory" and sex-change surgeries, it also acknowledges the equal dignity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. This nuanced approach reflects Pope Francis's emphasis on compassion and inclusivity, even as he upholds traditional Catholic teachings.
The document's criticism of gender theory aligns with the Vatican's long-standing belief that gender is a binary construct determined at birth. However, it is important to note that the document does not condemn transgender individuals or their experiences. Rather, it cautions against surgical interventions that seek to alter the body's natural expression of gender. The Vatican's recent acceptance of transgender individuals in certain roles within the Church suggests a willingness to engage with the complexities of gender identity while maintaining its core beliefs.
