Vatican City – The Vatican recently released a document signed off by Pope Francis, warning against gender theory and any form of sex-change intervention that could jeopardize the unique dignity of individuals. The document, titled “Dignitas Inifinita” (Infinite Dignity), addresses various threats to human dignity, including poverty, war, abortion, sexual abuse, and the abuse of women.
According to the Vatican doctrine office, the document emphasizes rejecting attempts to blur the sexual difference between man and woman, including gender-affirming surgery. It highlights that any sex-change intervention risks undermining the inherent dignity a person receives from the moment of conception, reiterating Catholic teachings on these subjects.
While the document reflects Catholic beliefs, it underscores the equal dignity of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances. Pope Francis has previously criticized gender ideology, describing it as “ugly” for erasing distinctions between men and women, with the latest Vatican document quoting him as referring to it as a form of “ideological colonization.”
In addressing gender theory, the document emphasizes the importance of embracing the sexual difference between individuals, stating that gender-affirming surgery should be avoided as the body serves as the living context for the unfolding of the soul’s interiority. Medical intervention is permitted only for individuals with genital abnormalities, according to the document.
Although the Vatican has been critical of gender theory, it has also shown support for transgender Catholics, allowing transgender individuals to act as godparents at baptisms and witnesses to marriages. However, not all Catholics agree with the Vatican’s stance on gender theory, with some LGBTQ+ Catholic groups criticizing the document for offering limited dignity to transgender and non-binary individuals.
The Vatican’s latest document also addresses violations of human dignity in the digital world, as well as issues such as the death penalty, surrogacy, and assisted dying. Cardinal Fernández, the prefect of the Vatican’s doctrine dicastery, presented the document to journalists, emphasizing human dignity as a central pillar of Christian thinking and defending the document’s approval for blessings of same-sex couples.
This latest Vatican document reflects ongoing discussions within the Church on issues related to human dignity, gender identity, and sexual orientation, signaling a continued evolution in understanding and interpreting doctrine.