Vatican Rules Transgender People And Babies Of Same-Sex Couples Can Be Baptized
OAN’s James Meyers
1:21 PM – Thursday, November 9, 2023
The Vatican’s groundbreaking decision: transgender people and babies of same-sex couples can now be baptized.
The Catholic church has expanded its acceptance of LGBTQ+ members with this ruling.
“A transgender person, even if they have undergone hormone therapy and sex-reassignment surgery, can receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful, if there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating a public scandal or disorientation among the faithful,” the church said in a document published Wednesday.
“The church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems,” the document states, quoting the pope’s 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium.
This decision was prompted by a Brazilian bishop’s inquiry in July regarding LGBTQ+ members’ involvement in routine Catholic practices.
Furthermore, the document states that transgender people are allowed to be godparents and witnesses at Catholic weddings, while people in same-sex relationships can witness weddings but cannot be godparents.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has historically rejected the idea of gender transition.
“It is a major step for trans inclusion… it is big and good news,” Francis DeBernardo, executive director of Maryland-based New Ways Ministry, told The Associated Press.
Reverend James Martin, a Jesuit priest and advocate for transgender rights in the Catholic church, welcomed the new policy.
“In many dioceses and parishes, including in the U.S., transgender Catholics have been severely restricted from participating in the life of the church, not because of any canon law, but stemming from the decisions of bishops, priests, and pastoral associates,” he said in a statement to the AP.
“So the Vatican’s statement is a clear recognition not only of their personhood, but of their place in their own church,” he said. “I hope that it helps the Catholic Church treat them less as problems and more as people.”
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Hialeah’s mayor shows his support for President Trump in his run for the White House, emphasizing that Trump follows through on his promises.
The Department Of Homeland Security secretary testifies before the Senate to address the billions of dollars requested by the Biden Administration.
Kari Lake provides an update on her campaign for the Senate, outlining the policies she would bring to Capitol Hill if she wins.
Senior Trump Advisor Jason Miller shares his thoughts on Trump’s policy of revoking visas for domestic Hamas supporters and discusses his ideas about free speech in the U.S..
An adviser to Europe’s top court criticizes an EU tribunal’s ruling in favor of Apple, citing legal errors.
Zeekr will publicly release some details of its plans to list shares in New York this week.
The top EU court supports Google, Meta, and TikTok against an Austrian law mandating the deletion of hate speech.
Amazon plans to invest millions in Olympus LLM model to compete with OpenAI and Alphabet.
rnrn
How does the Vatican’s decision reflect a shift in the Catholic Church’s views on gender identity and sexual orientation?
The Vatican’s groundbreaking decision: transgender people and babies of same-sex couples can now be baptized.
In a groundbreaking move, the Vatican has announced that transgender individuals and babies of same-sex couples can now be baptized. This decision marks a significant shift in the Catholic Church’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ members.
The announcement, made in a document published on Wednesday, states that a transgender person, even if they have undergone hormone therapy and sex-reassignment surgery, can receive baptism under the same conditions as other faithful, as long as there are no situations that may risk generating a public scandal or disorientation among the faithful.
“The church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems,” the document states, quoting the pope’s 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. This statement emphasizes the inclusive nature of the church and highlights the importance of accepting all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
This decision came about following an inquiry made by a Brazilian bishop in July regarding the involvement of LGBTQ+ members in routine Catholic practices. It reflects a growing recognition within the church of the need to embrace and support all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In addition to allowing transgender individuals to be baptized, the document also states that they are permitted to be godparents and witnesses at Catholic weddings. However, for people in same-sex relationships, while they are allowed to witness weddings, they are not eligible to be godparents.
Traditionally, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has rejected the idea of gender transition. However, this new policy, endorsed by the Vatican, represents a significant step towards trans inclusion within the Catholic Church.
Francis DeBernardo, the executive director of Maryland-based New Ways Ministry, hailed this decision as major progress in trans inclusion, stating, “It is big and good news.” Reverend James Martin, a Jesuit priest and advocate for transgender rights in the Catholic Church, also welcomed the Vatican’s statement. He highlighted how transgender Catholics have faced restrictions within the church due to the decisions of individual bishops, priests, and pastoral associates, rather than any official canon law. He expressed hope that this recognition by the Vatican would not only affirm their personhood but also their rightful place within the Catholic Church.
This landmark decision by the Vatican represents a significant step toward greater inclusion and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in the Catholic Church. It sets a new precedent for other religious institutions to follow and signals progress towards a more inclusive and compassionate approach to faith.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...