After five years in the works, a Pope Francis–endorsed, 20-page document Dignitas Infinita (Infinite Dignity) was released early this spring. It covers the Catholic Church’s stances on important themes of Francis’s papacy, from abortion and human trafficking to homosexuality bans and gender theory. Gender theory, however, is the topic in which the hypocritical opinion of the church is most clearly highlighted, warranting myriad reactions from the public.
In some way or the other, the Catholic Church has always been involved in public affairs, making decrees and taking stances that split its audience. Consider the Protestant Reformation: instead of acknowledging Martin Luther’s 95 Theses, the Catholic Church attempted to silence him, leading to a massive loss in followers. Fast forward to 2024, and the Catholic Church is involved in more issues but, rather than taking a clear stance and aligning themselves on a side, the Vatican’s mixed opinion does not push their agenda in the desired direction, and they must instead provide a sincere support of LGBTQ+ individuals and women.
Dignitas Infinita marcates a difference between sexual preference and gender identity, the former of which the Catholic Church supports while the latter is described as humanity’s “worst danger” and an “ugly ideology.” In a weak attempt at balance, the document also criticizes outlawing homosexuality and female marginalization. However, diminishing transgender dignity cannot be hidden behind an ingenuine statement to placate LGBTQ+ individuals.
“Gender theory” and “sex change” are described as gender-affirming procedures by the Vatican, and Dignitas Infinita slams reproductive autonomy rights. Infinita observes that gender reassignment questions why God would create a person with the wrong gender, which transgender activist Mara Klein says could “risk or diminish trans people’s dignity.” Despite frowning upon life-changing gender affirming care, the Vatican supports intersex medical interventions (IMIs), a common invasive process done on intersex individuals to match reproductive organs to gender, only giving the hypocrisy allegations more of a platform. No research shows these unnecessary interventions as beneficial, and they are often done nonconsensually.
Rev. Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University says that Francis endorsing Dignitas Infinita is “turning the clock back” and reversing past reforms. Francis DeBernardo, the executive director of LGTBTQ+ Catholic group New Way Ministries, echoes similar sentiment. “While it lays out a wonderful rationale for why each human being, regardless of condition in life, must be respected, honored, and loved, it does not apply this principle to gender-diverse people.” Citing hypocrisy, an unequal treatment of “God’s children” only allows an increase in marginalization of gender-diverse individuals.
Politically, the publishing of Dignitas Infinita could not have come at a worse time for both LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights. President Joe Biden—a devout Catholic—was “pleased” by the Vatican’s statements on gender expression as per press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, but a stance of neutrality was taken about specifics pertaining to gender theory. Legislatures in the United States and E.U. continue to consider bills restricting medical care for transgender youth and even adults. Continuing to jeopardize the rights of women and LGBTQ+ individuals only validates these restrictive laws, widening the inequality gap.
No statement of equality should have an asterisk at the end, but this one does. Dignitas Infinita beautifully describes why all human beings must be loved, especially by God, but this same statement does not apply to gender-diverse individuals. For example, Groton, a school founded in the Episcopal tradition, must continue to ensure and strengthen the rights of women and LGBTQ+ individuals in the community. Equality is not really achieved and autonomy is not truly given if less than everyone has access to the rights and freedoms to control their bodies and express themselves.
Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/vatican-gender-surrogacy-abortion-pope-3f84d8eb97f045b0cfb0ec1efa4e614e
https://www.vox.com/24126650/vatican-dignity-trans-rights-gender-affirming-surgeries
