I think I am right in believing that true intersex people are rare. Where the condition exists they would have the option of either staying a they are, or choosing one sex or the other. Medical knowledge now enables doctors to establish the true sex in terms of chromosomes.I don’t think the Catholic Church has ever announced a public position on the topics of intersex, transsexualism or transgenderism. However, given the Church’s teachings on male and female natures I think the there is good reason to expect the Church to be skeptical and wary of transgender, transsexual or intersex conditions.
Fr. Serpa means well, and likely wants to avoid confusing people. But he is making judgments based upon inadequate understanding of medical science. The in utero interplay between DNA and environmental factors is more nuanced than many think, i.e. the emerging field of epigenetics. I think more caution is warranted than evidenced in Fr. Serpa’s answer.Here’s an excellent reply to the question you’re asking:
http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=566074
You do understand that some intersex people have the chromosomes XXY, right? So technically they are neither. That is not the case for all intersex, but for some.I think I am right in believing that true intersex people are rare. Where the condition exists they would have the option of either staying a they are, or choosing one sex or the other. Medical knowledge now enables doctors to establish the true sex in terms of chromosomes.
Transgender as i understand it, refers to people who are definitely physically of one sex, but who feel that they are the opposite one. Whether this is purely psychological or has some foundation in brain chemistry, is not known.
Why would they be wary or intersex people? They have no control over a physical (even a chromosomal) defect that they are born with.I don’t think the Catholic Church has ever announced a public position on the topics of intersex, transsexualism or transgenderism. However, given the Church’s teachings on male and female natures I think the there is good reason to expect the Church to be skeptical and wary of transgender, transsexual or intersex conditions.
It’s very much a brain chemistry thing although it to some degree is genetic. Remember, the brain circuitry that controls sexuality/orientation/whatever is actually fab’ed in the womb and activated during adolescence (puberty). In terms of genetics it actually is the mother’s genetics that matter, some genes are more likely to botch the hormone infusions that set up the sex or mind.I think I am right in believing that true intersex people are rare. Where the condition exists they would have the option of either staying a they are, or choosing one sex or the other. Medical knowledge now enables doctors to establish the true sex in terms of chromosomes.
Transgender as i understand it, refers to people who are definitely physically of one sex, but who feel that they are the opposite one. Whether this is purely psychological or has some foundation in brain chemistry, is not known.
Have you read his posts much? He seems like he’s from the wrong century, when told he acted like he was from the 15th century he took it as a complement. Give the man a breakYou do understand that some intersex people have the chromosomes XXY, right? So technically they are neither. That is not the case for all intersex, but for some.
No, I haven’t read his posts much, but I am a strong believer of only using terms that you know the meanings of. I am a stickler for things like that. If you don’t know what a term is or are in doubt, look it up.Have you read his posts much? He seems like he’s from the wrong century, when told he acted like he was from the 15th century he took it as a complement. Give the man a break
Klinefelter’s syndrome is actually quite rare and somewhat unknownNo, I haven’t read his posts much, but I am a strong believer of only using terms that you know the meanings of. I am a stickler for things like that. If you don’t know what a term is or are in doubt, look it up.
I worded my statement poorly. I think the Church is wary about publicly taking a formal position on these matters because the science is still evolving and the conditions are rare. The conditions do raise thorny questions regarding some Church teachings, but for now I think the Church is holding off a formal position, preferring instead to counsel individuals case by case.Why would they be wary or intersex people?
What you seem to be talking about isn’t transgender. Transgender is those people who are “born in the wrong body” or some such, and go out and crossdress/get sex changes. I don’t know how the church sees them. I do not know how the church feels about it.What’s the Church’s position in regards to people who are born transgendered? Are they to pick whether they are a boy or girl? My college professors keep pushing this in regards to how it’s OK to be gay. What did the traditional Catholic Church say in regards to this?
So what does the Church say about what gender they have a relationship with/if they go into priesthood or convent?What you seem to be talking about isn’t transgender. Transgender is those people who are “born in the wrong body” or some such, and go out and crossdress/get sex changes. I don’t know how the church sees them. I do not know how the church feels about it.
What you seem to talking about though are hermaphrodites, or intersexed people. This is a medical condition wherein the person is born with both genitals. This is an unavoidable medical condition, and I don’t see how the church could condemn them for simply being born as what they are.