NYC Catholic Church criticized for ‘God Is Trans’ exhibit.

A Catholic Church in NYC Sparks Controversy with “God is Trans” Exhibit

Liberal Church Faces Backlash from Parishioners

The Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Manhattan’s West Side is known for its liberal views, but its latest exhibit titled “God is Trans: A Queer Spiritual Journey” has caused quite a stir among some of its members. The exhibit, which features art by Adah Unachukwu, details a “queer spiritual journey in three steps: Sacrifice, Identity and Communion.” However, for some churchgoers, the comparison between God and someone identifying as trans is a step too far.

One parishioner told The New York Post that the display felt out of place in the church and that a priest had not given an answer when asked about it. “The church should not be promoting this. I understand there are transgender people. I pray for all people but enough is enough,” the parishioner said. “It seems like they are trying to force the agenda on others. You can’t put this out on the altar and then hide. That’s what gets the church in trouble.”

Exhibit Details a “Queer Spiritual Journey”

The exhibit’s three steps are Sacrifice, Identity, and Communion. Sacrifice is defined as a move to “shed” a prior life or identity, while Identity is defined as individuals asking the spiritual question, “What does holiness look like?” The definition of the third step, Communion, more closely aligns with the traditional definition and addresses a convergence between God and man.

Church’s Official Stance on Gender Identity

The exhibit appears to contradict the Catholic Church’s official stance on gender identity. In 2019’s “Male and Female He Created Them: Towards a Path of Dialogue on the Question of Gender Theory in Education,” the church pushed back on claims that sex and gender were two separate concepts and referred to transgender identity as an attempt to “annihilate the concept of nature.”

Despite the controversy, the Church of St. Paul the Apostle has not commented on the exhibit.

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