U.S. Catholic bishops formalize ban on gender-affirming care

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has officially approved a ban on gender-affirming care at Catholic hospitals nationwide. The decision, made during their general assembly in Baltimore on Wednesday, formalizes existing practices in many Catholic healthcare institutions, which constitute a significant portion of the U.S. healthcare system. According to the Catholic Health Association, over one in seven patients in the U.S. receive care at Catholic hospitals daily, and in some communities, they represent the sole medical provider.

The revised ethical and religious directives, approved by the bishops, provide guidance for thousands of Catholic healthcare institutions and providers across the country. As reported by NBC News, these directives reinforce the stance against medical interventions, both surgical and chemical, aimed at altering the sexual characteristics of the human body to align with a different gender identity.

Bishop Robert Barron of the Winona-Rochester diocese in Minnesota voiced his support for the directives, stating, "With regard to the gender ideology, I think it's very important the church makes a strong statement here."

However, the decision has drawn criticism from within and outside the Catholic community. Major medical groups and health organizations widely support gender-affirming care, recognizing its importance for the health and well-being of transgender individuals.

Michael Sennett, a trans man active in his Massachusetts parish and board member of New Ways Ministry, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church, stated, "Catholic teaching upholds the invaluable dignity of every human life, and for many trans people, gender-affirming care is what makes life livable."

Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director of New Ways Ministry, emphasized the importance of gender-affirming care for many transgender Catholics, noting that "the transition process was not just a biological necessity, but a spiritual imperative. That if they were going to be living as authentic people in the way that they believe God made them, then transition becomes a necessary thing." New Ways Ministry arranged a meeting with Pope Francis in 2024 to discuss gender-affirming care.

In a parallel move, leaders from several major progressive religious denominations, including the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Episcopal Church, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), issued a statement affirming their support for transgender, intersex, and nonbinary individuals. They emphasized that "our beloveds are created in the image of God – Holy and whole," countering the misconception that all people of faith oppose the full spectrum of gender.

The USCCB also addressed immigration reform, approving a "special message" advocating for a compassionate approach to immigrants and expressing concern over the climate of fear and anxiety surrounding immigration enforcement.