Vatican affirms transgender individuals' right to baptism and roles in sacraments

These responses were offered in reply to inquiries submitted to the congregation in July by a Brazilian bishop, José Negri. Bishop Negri had posed questions concerning the rights of transgender and homosexual individuals regarding the sacraments of baptism and marriage.

Furthermore, the document accentuated that a transgender individual, even after undergoing hormone therapy or gender-change surgery, is allowed to receive baptism under the same conditions as any other believer. The only stipulating condition is the absence of circumstances that might result in public controversy or mislead members of the faith.

According to the document: "A homosexual individual who has undergone hormonal therapy or surgery can, under certain circumstances, take up the role of a godparent".

Nonetheless, they stipulated the importance of "pastoral prudence to avoid leading towards situations that could result in scandal".

Concerning the question of whether two homosexual individuals can serve as parents of a child who is to be baptized, and who is adopted or borne via surrogacy, the Vatican congregation responded that "a child can be baptized under the condition that there is a reasonable hope that it will be raised in accordance with the Catholic doctrine".

The document, bearing responses and dated October 31, was published on the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's online page on Wednesday. Its authorization is confirmed by the signatures of the congregation's prefect, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, and Pope Francis himself.