With all due respect to Bishop Stowe, this declaration misrepresents the truth in a manner that ultimately harms Matson and establishes a troubling and hazardous precedent for both the local and national Church. At its best, the statement represents a lost chance to demonstrate genuine love toward Matson, who underwent a medical sex-reassignment procedure in 2006 while attending college and later embraced Catholicism.

The body is a blessing from God.

The Church promotes empathy and support for all people, including those who identify as transgender. Indeed, the Holy Father’s individual efforts, such as inviting transgender individuals to dine at the Vatican or sending them handwritten messages, exemplify a generous, Christian reaction.

Simultaneously, the Church, along with Pope Francis throughout his papacy, has been very explicit regarding the risks associated with gender ideology. The Holy Father has persistently cautioned against what he refers to as “ideological colonization” that aims to enforce a flexible interpretation of sexuality under the guise of gender. Indeed, Dignitas Infinita (“Infinite Dignity”), the latest declaration released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and endorsed by Pope Francis, clearly articulates that “any gender reassignment procedure, as a general principle, poses a danger to the singular dignity granted to the individual from the moment of conception.”

Every individual’s body is a blessing from God. Embracing the male or female essence of one’s body signifies a calling that, if embraced thoughtfully, brings about joy. Denying the male or female essence of one’s body, as Matson has done and with the backing of Bishop Stowe, constitutes a denial of the Creator’s design of love. Shunning God’s design for our lives is not the path to joy or sanctity.

The choice to permit Matson, who continues to identify as a woman despite medical treatments, to undertake a religious profession as a man undermines the Truth — and undermines the Church’s obligation to guide her toward beatitude.

Although Catholic doctrine highlights love and respect for each individual, this does not imply a blanket endorsement of all lifestyles or beliefs about oneself. Genuine compassion entails leading each person toward the truth, which includes the truth about human sexuality as expressed in Church teaching. God made human beings in his image: “He created them male and female.” It is a misguided compassion to ignore the truth, let alone to support those who have adopted misconceptions in persisting with their mistakes.

The choice to permit Matson, who, regardless of medical procedures, continues to be a woman, to undertake religious vows as a man undermines the Truth — and violates the Church’s obligation to guide her toward beatitude. Catholic doctrine cannot endorse the denial of one’s divinely assigned sex or approve a gender transition. The Church is unable to label Matson as “brother” or address Matson as a man. Such actions sustain a falsehood and cause serious scandal in the name of the Church, under the guise of religious life sanctioned by Bishop Stowe.

The threat of controversy

By endorsing Matson’s decisions and addressing her as a man, Bishop Stowe is stirring uncertainty among the congregation. The bishop’s decision to support Matson’s conscious dismissal of her biological sex promotes an ideology that fundamentally contradicts the enduring teachings of the Church.

Regrettably, Matson fails to recognize that her choice to pursue a medical transition is in direct opposition to the Catholic Faith, and she continues to identify herself as a man. She also openly criticizes Church doctrine during media discussions. This situation implies that Bishop Stowe is supporting a view that fundamentally contradicts the Church’s long-standing teachings regarding the essence of the human person. While many have centered their attention on the public disclosure of Matson’s “gender reassignment,” as if hiding her background would rectify the situation, Matson’s role as a male hermit in itself creates scandal, as it misleads the faithful into thinking that the Church’s position on sexual identity is changing in a manner that it truly is not.

We urge Matson to stay connected to God through prayer and trust that this can be integrated within the Church in a pastorally considerate manner that avoids confusion. She is a cherished daughter of God, and her existence can be sacred and rewarding.

We exist in a time when distinct guidance from the Church is critically required to address the intricacies of misunderstandings and misrepresentations of the Faith. Any silence or lack of action will be perceived as implicit approval, resulting in additional confusion among the faithful (and casting those Catholics who are knowledgeable and uphold the Church’s teachings as adversaries of the Church). The Church and her leaders must deliver clear, compassionate, and doctrinally sound direction on how to support those who identify as transgender while staying true to the teachings of the Gospel entrusted to her care. Holding the truth about the human person enables us — indeed, urges us — to assist individuals grappling with their sexuality in moving from darkness to light. It’s a challenging journey, but it’s one that can profoundly impact their lives, and our own.