Pope Francis continues his support for the LGBTQ community, and the Vatican takes a progressive stance, allowing transgender Catholics to be baptized and serve as godparents.
Despite opposition from the National Conference of Catholic bishops in the United States, the Vatican issues a statement affirming this shift in policy.
The statement specifies that transgender individuals, even those who have undergone hormone therapy and sex-reassignment surgery, can be baptized under certain conditions, avoiding potential public scandal or disorientation among the faithful.
Approved and signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal VÃctor Manuel Fernández on October 31, the statement responds to questions posed by Bishop Jose Negri of Santo Amaro, São Paulo, Brazil, regarding LGBTQ individuals’ participation in Catholic practices.
The Vatican also acknowledges that transgender people can serve as godparents and witnesses at religious weddings.
Furthermore, individuals in same-sex relationships can act as witnesses in Catholic weddings.
However, the Vatican imposes stipulations, such as the prohibition of baptizing children adopted by same-sex couples or conceived through surrogacy.
It is also implied that individuals in same-sex relationships should not serve as godparents to baptized children.
This marks a reversal of a 2015 decision when the Vatican barred a transgender man in Spain from becoming a godparent.
Pope Francis, previously critical of same-sex marriages and homosexuality, has shown a recent shift in attitude, expressing a desire to welcome everyone into the Catholic Church community, despite historical doctrines rejecting same-sex marriage and sexual activity.
