Can you help with this gender problem?

[Flanum_Degas]

To whom it may concern:

I have felt the desire to be a Catholic priest since I was very young (age 10 or so). I am 36 now and am still celibate and still want to become a priest. The only problem is that I am a woman, and therefore cannot be a priest. My question is this: If I have a sex-change operation, can I then become a male priest? My calling is so great that I would do this just for the chance to become a priest. After that, would any other steps need to be taken?

Thanks much.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

No matter how many operations a person has in order to appear as a member of the opposite sex, one’s DNA remains what it was at conception. The Church looks on such attempts as seriously disordered and sinful.

While the desire to be a priest or religious is usually the first sign that one has such a vocation, there are several other signs that are just as crucial. Both with the vocation to the married life as well as vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the Church’s approval is the ultimate sign.

What is most important in any vocation is the Lord, Himself. And you have access to Him right now. The more we realize this, the more we appreciate that having Him is quite enough. You are in my prayers.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.