ransgender People and Human Dignity in Catholic Theology Cover Image

Transrodoví ľudia a ľudská dôstojnosť v katolíckej teológii
ransgender People and Human Dignity in Catholic Theology

Author(s): Ľubomír Batka
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Gender Studies, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
Keywords: Dignitas infinita; Catholic Theology; Human Dignity; Freedom; Transgender People

Summary/Abstract: The discourse on transgender identity within the Catholic Church reveals a fundamental tension between the official magisterial teaching and emerging theological currents that prioritize a pastoral sensibility and the affirmation of human dignity. Official documents such as Dignitas infinita and Male and Female He Created Them reject the differentiation between gender and biological sex, framing it as a component of so called “gender ideology,” interpreting gender transition as a threat to the natural order. In contrast, numerous theologians and ecclesial groups advocate for a more empathetic and contextually informed approach—one that takes seriously the lived experiences of transgender individuals and engages with contemporary medical insights. This article explores these positions to facilitate a broader theological conversation on the potential for inclusion and the recognition of dignity for all persons within the Church. It proposes avenues for theological re interpretation oriented toward an inclusive anthropology that acknowledges transgender individuals as full and equal bearers of human dignity.

  • Issue Year: XXVII/2025
  • Issue No: 3
  • Page Range: 81-102
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Slovak
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