Especially now transgender people need the support of churches

Article published by Ursula Wollasch on the Catholic website Katholisch (Germany) On February 2, 2025. Freely translated by the volunteers of the Gionata project

After the criticisms of the Anglican bishop Mariann Edgar Budde to Donald Trump, the Conference of the United States Catholic bishops also expressed concerns about some decisions of the president. However, in their declaration, no reference is made to queer people. This silence also raises the Catholic Church in Germany.

An appeal to mercy and justice

The day following his settlement, during which he presented himself as a leader full of religious zeal and as a savior, Donald Trump received a call from the episcopal bishop Mariann Edgar Budde.

During the ecumenical service held at the Washington National Cathedral, Budde reminded Trump that the god of the Bible is a god of compassion and mercy. He asked Trump to show pity for migrants and sexual minorities, urged him to give up the mass deportations of irregular immigrants.

He has described in strong words the climate of fear that pervades the United States: many families fear of separate exections and numerous young LGBTQ+ live in fear. "There are gay children, lesbians and transgender in democratic, republican and politically deployed families who fear for their lives," he said.

The reality of violence against transgender people

His words are confirmed in fact. The example of Nex Benedict, a sixteen -year -old transgender girl brutally beaten by three classmates in the changing rooms of Owasso High School (Oklahoma), is emblematic. Nex died the next day because of the injuries reported.

In 2023, at least 32 transgender people were assassinated in the United States. In many conservative states, families with transgender children are forced to move to protect them, while some decide to leave the country. Recent studies show that the suicide rate between transgender people has increased significantly, a sign of growing social and political pressure.

Trump and the cancellation of gender identity

During his inaugural speech, Trump said that only two genres would be recognized in the United States. Signed a decree entitled "Women protection from extremism of gender ideology and restoration of biological truth in the federal government".

The measure aims to "protect women's rights and defend freedom of consciousness". The new guidelines impose that men and women are recognized exclusively based on biological sex. The term "genre" will be eliminated by official documents and replaced with "sex". Passports and visas will have to report biological sex without exception.

The position of the Catholic Episcopal Conference of the United States

At first glance, Mariann Edgar Budde's sermon seems to find an echo in the declarations of the United States's Catholic Episcopal Conference. However, a more careful analysis reveals an ambiguous position.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the Catholic Episcopal Conference of the United States, has firmly criticized some executive orders signed by Trump, in particular those on immigration, death penalty and environmental policies. He defined them "deeply worrying" and warned that they will have negative consequences especially for the most vulnerable. He described these measures as a violation of human dignity, incompatible with the teaching of the Catholic Church.

However, in his declaration, Broglio omitted any reference to transgender and queer people. Indeed, he welcomed the Trump decree on the cancellation of gender identity, stating that the recognition of the difference between men and women is consistent with the Catholic doctrine on creation.

A Catholic church that ignores the suffering of transgender people

The position of the US Catholic bishops not only ignores the reality experienced by transgender people, but further exposes them to discrimination and dangers. According to them, the so -called "madness of the genre", against which Trump has made his election campaign, must be contrasted with determination.

With their declaration, the bishops do not just remain silent in the face of the difficulties of transgender people, but implicitly legitimize a policy that marginalizes and exposes them to new persecutions.

In Germany, the Catholic church has made progress in the recognition of diversity. In november 2022, a new ecclesiastical constitution promoted the welcome of lGBTQ+ People in religious institutions

However, without an explicit commitment by the German Episcopal Conference, these openings risk remaining only a declarations of principle.

If the Church really wants to be faithful to the Gospel, it cannot remain silent. Transgender people are created in the image and likeness of God like anyone else. Their dignity cannot be denied or sacrificed for political opportunities.

A clear and public commitment of The catholic church in support of transgender people Would be "a strong signal", a gesture necessary to contrast the hatred and discrimination that still threaten their lives.

Original text: TranscesSchlechtliche Menschen brauchen die Untorstützung der Kirche