U.S. Catholic Bishops Ban Gender-Affirming Care at Catholic Hospitals
BALTIMORE – The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voted overwhelmingly to ban gender-affirming care at Catholic healthcare facilities nationwide, a move announced November 15, 2023, following their annual fall meeting in Baltimore. The policy prohibits surgeries, hormone therapies, and puberty blockers for transgender individuals at hospitals and other healthcare centers operating under the auspices of the Catholic Church.
The decision reflects the ChurchS longstanding theological opposition to gender transition, which it views as conflicting wiht its teachings on the inherent dignity of the human person and the immutability of biological sex. The ban impacts a meaningful portion of the healthcare landscape, as the Catholic Health Association reports its members operate over 2,200 hospitals and healthcare facilities across the contry, serving millions of patients annually. This policy change will limit access to critical medical care for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals seeking treatment at these institutions.
During the conference, bishops also released a statement expressing concern over the current climate surrounding immigration enforcement and profiling. Thay voiced disturbance at “a climate of fear and anxiety” among communities and sadness over the “vilification of immigrants,” while also opposing “the indiscriminate mass deportation of people.” The statement,supported by multiple bishops including Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley,the newly elected president of the conference,calls for a “meaningful path of reform” to the U.S. immigration system.
Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich advocated for stronger language regarding mass deportation, stating it was “the central issue we are facing with our people at this time.” The bishops’ concerns extend to conditions in detention centers and a lack of access to pastoral care for those affected by immigration policies.
The vote on gender-affirming care followed extensive debate and reflects a growing conservative stance within the U.S. Catholic Church on issues related to sexuality and gender identity. The policy is expected to face legal challenges and further fuel the ongoing national debate over transgender rights and access to healthcare.
