In a groundbreaking declaration, the Vatican has classified gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy as grave threats to human dignity, equating them with practices such as abortion and euthanasia. The 20-page document, titled “Infinite Dignity,” underscores the Vatican’s stance on God’s plan for human life.

According to the Vatican, any attempt to alter one’s gender through surgery or surrogacy challenges the inherent dignity bestowed upon individuals from the moment of conception. The document emphasizes the sanctity of the biological differences between men and women, cautioning against any interference with this divine order.

“It follows that any sex-change intervention, as a rule, risks threatening the unique dignity the person has received from the moment of conception,” the document states unequivocally.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, a trusted confidante of Pope Francis, affirmed the document’s significance, portraying it as a balancing act amidst differing opinions within the Church.

“It needs to be emphasized that biological sex and the sociocultural role of sex (gender) can be distinguished but not separated,” the declaration asserts, urging a nuanced understanding of human sexuality.

However, the Vatican’s stance has sparked criticism from transgender activists, who argue that the document overlooks the lived experiences of transgender individuals and perpetuates harm.

“The suggestion that gender-affirming health care — which has saved the lives of so many wonderful trans people and enabled them to live in harmony with their bodies, their communities and (God) — might risk or diminish trans peoples’ dignity is not only hurtful but dangerously ignorant,” said Mara Klein, a nonbinary transgender activist.

The publication of “Infinite Dignity” comes amidst a broader societal debate on transgender rights, with some Republican-led state legislatures in the United States considering restrictive measures targeting transgender youths.

Against this backdrop, the Vatican’s pronouncement adds fuel to an already contentious issue, prompting further reflection on the intersection of faith, identity, and human dignity.

Credit: AP