The Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa has announced major plans for how it will handle gender identity at its schools and church sports, declaring that those who were born boys cannot participate in girls’ sports and declaring that people must use the bathroom corresponding to their biological sex.
Announcing that policy in a recently released “Gender Identity Guide and Policies” statement, the Diocese began by noting that it was creating the policies with love for all and reinforcing the fact that Jesus loves all, saying:
This guide is intended as a commentary to help foster a proper understanding of policies of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines regarding gender identity, in recognition of the pastoral
sensitivities regarding this matter, and the real and profound struggles individuals of good will face.
Prior to any policy the Diocese of Des Moines fervently hopes that all persons experiencing gender
dysphoria know what the Catholic Church tirelessly affirms, that they are unconditionally loved by
Jesus Christ and by the Church, and that they are vital members of the Body of Christ who have a
home in the family of God.
But then it got down to the details of the policy, saying:
The comprehensive Catholic Christian teaching about the human identity in accord with the mind and heart of Christ must be communicated and upheld with charity, practical wisdom and sensitivity. As the policies enumerated below state, members of our schools, parishes and other communities are to accompany those families and individuals experiencing gender dysphoria with compassion and courage and patiently support them in their life journey. At the same time, it must be understood that diocesan practices in our parishes and schools (including sacramental records and school records, bathroom and locker room use, participation on sports teams and other cocurricular activities) will refer to all persons by employing gender pronouns that correlate with their biological sex. Some families may disagree with these practices, and we acknowledge their freedom of conscience to withdraw or absent themselves from situations they find objectionable. Concomitantly, they must likewise respect the Church’s mission to witness to truths accessible to reason and faith if they are to fully participate in our faith communities, including our Catholic schools.
Then, at the end of the document, the diocese published 7 specific policies it is enacting, saying:
1. Designations and Pronouns. Any parochial, organizational, or institutional documentation which requires the designation of a person’s sex is to reflect that person’s biological sex. No person may designate a “preferred pronoun” in speech or in writing when related to ministry activities of any kind, nor are
parishes, organizations, or institutions to permit such a designation. To permit the designation of a preferred pronoun, while intended as an act of charity, instead promotes the dissociation of biological sex and “gender” and thereby confuses or denies personal integrity.
2. Bathrooms and Locker Rooms. All persons must use the bathroom or locker room that matches their biological sex. Diocesan parishes, organizations, and institutions are permitted to have individual-use bathrooms that are available for all members of the respective community.
3. Attire. All persons are to ordinarily present themselves in a manner consistent with their God-given dignity. Where a dress code or uniform exists, all persons are to follow the dress code or uniform that accords with their biological sex.
4. Athletics and Extra-Curriculars. Participation in parish, school, and co-curricular activities must be consistent with the biological sex of the participant. Some sports and activities may be open to participation by persons of both sexes.
5. Single-Sex Schools, Buildings, and other Programs and Institutions. Admission to single-sex programs, including but not limited to single-sex schools, camps, and retreats, is restricted to persons of the designated biological sex. Residences or other designated single-sex buildings are to be restricted to persons of the respective biological sex.
6. Medication. No person is permitted to have on-site or to distribute any medications for the purpose of gender reassignment. Also, students and those entrusted to the care of the Church are not permitted to take “puberty blockers,” even if self-administered, on parish or school property, with the purpose of a potential or actual “gender reassignment.”
7. Protecting the Vulnerable. Those entrusted to the care of the Church who express a tension between their biological sex and their “gender” and others directly affected by this tension (parents, guardians, etc.) should be guided to appropriate ministers and counselors who will assist the person in a manner that is in accord with the directives and teachings of the Church. Parishes, schools, and other Catholic institutions or organizations should be ever mindful, in accord with the policies of this document, to practice charity and to respect the personal dignity of individuals who may express tension or concerns about their biological sex
Explaining why these policies are important to the Catholic Church in another part of the document, the church explains:
With this teaching in mind, gender dysphoria can be validly compared to the condition known as “body integrity identity disorder.” Both are conditions in which a person, stemming from a complex set of factors, holds a self-perception involving one’s physical status that is detached from objective reality. It would be contrary to an individual’s best interests for medical professionals, family members, other supporting figures such as teachers and mentors, as well as pastoral ministers to encourage and promote removal of healthy limbs. It is similarly contraindicated to encourage someone with gender dysphoria to undergo hormone treatment, or genital and other forms of mutilation.
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