In a recent declaration, the Vatican’s doctrinal office has issued guidelines on the eligibility of transsexual individuals and those in “homoaffective” relationships to participate in sacraments such as baptism and serve as godparents.

The document, signed by Argentinean Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, underscores that transsexual individuals, even if they have undergone hormone therapy or sex reassignment surgery, may receive the Sacrament of Baptism, as long as it does not risk causing “public scandal or confusion among the faithful.”

These guidelines were formulated in response to questions submitted by Bishop José Negri of Santo Amaro, Brazil.

The Vatican’s doctrinal office reaffirmed that these guidelines are in line with previous doctrinal positions on these matters.

However, these statements have sparked criticism from Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the former prefect of the same doctrinal office.

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Cardinal Müller expressed concerns about the document’s language, referring to it as “confusing” and criticized its use of “transhumanistic terminology.”

He emphasized the traditional Catholic stance that there are only “two sexes” and denounced any deviation from this perspective as contrary to the Church’s teachings.

Cardinal Müller also raised objections to the document’s apparent tolerance of surrogacy, which he argued is incompatible with Catholic teachings on the sanctity of marriage.

Nonetheless, the Vatican’s doctrinal office remains steadfast in its position that transsexual individuals, of all age groups, can be baptized, provided they are adequately prepared and willing, and do not cause scandal.

Even in cases where there are doubts about the individual’s moral situation or their disposition towards grace, the possibility of baptism or serving as a sacramental sponsor is not excluded.

Regarding the participation of transsexual individuals or those in openly gay relationships as witnesses to a marriage, the Dicastery clarified that there are no prohibitions in current universal canonical legislation, leaving room for such participation.

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