U.S. Bishops Prohibit Gender-Affirming Care at Catholic Hospitals
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has officially prohibited gender-affirming care for transgender patients in Catholic hospitals. This decision was reached during a plenary assembly held in Baltimore, where bishops voted overwhelmingly to revise their ethical and religious directives.
Overview of Gender-Affirming Care Ban
This ban formalizes a long-standing trend within the U.S. Catholic Church regarding transgender health care. Although major medical organizations advocate for gender-affirming treatments, most Catholic institutions have adopted a conservative stance and refrained from offering such services.
Details of the Directive
- The USCCB aims to guide Catholic health care institutions.
- Over 15% of U.S. patients receive care at Catholic hospitals daily.
- Gender-affirming care may include hormonal, psychological, and surgical treatments.
Under the new directives, individual bishops hold the authority to enact these rules within their respective dioceses. Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota emphasized the importance of the Church’s stance on gender ideology, reinforcing the message during discussions.
Response from the Catholic Health Association
The Catholic Health Association expressed gratitude for the bishops’ consideration of their feedback in the revised directives. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to treating transgender individuals with dignity and respect in line with Catholic social teaching, despite the ban on medical procedures aimed at altering sexual characteristics.
Incorporation of Previous Guidelines
The new guidelines reflect earlier Vatican documents from both 2024 and 2023, including content that stresses the moral limits regarding “the technological manipulation of the human body.” These documents assert that Catholic healthcare services must not engage in surgeries or chemical treatments that seek to change one’s sexual characteristics.
Progressive Religious Responses
It’s important to note that views within the Catholic community are not unified. Some parishes and leaders actively support transgender rights. For example, Michael Sennett, a trans man involved with New Ways Ministry, highlights the significance of gender-affirming care in fostering a livable life for many transgender individuals.
The executive director of New Ways Ministry, Francis DeBernardo, asserts that for many transgender Catholics, transitioning is both a biological necessity and a spiritual imperative.
Broader Religious Context
On the same day as the bishops’ vote, leaders from various progressive religious denominations announced their support for transgender and nonbinary individuals. This coalition, which includes representatives from the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Episcopal Church, expressed concern over the marginalization faced by these groups.
Immigration Statements from U.S. Bishops
In addition to the gender-affirming care directive, the bishops also addressed immigration issues during their conference in Baltimore. A special message regarding immigration was overwhelmingly approved, marking a rare occurrence since a similar statement was issued in 2013.
Concerns About Immigration Enforcement
- Bishops highlighted rising fear and anxiety within immigrant communities.
- They criticized the current climate relating to immigration and called for reform.
- Important voices, like Archbishop Paul Coakley and Cardinal Blase Cupich, supported stronger language against mass deportation.
The bishops concluded their statement by opposing the indiscriminate mass deportation of individuals, underlining a unified concern for immigrant rights.
