Pope Francis XVI approved a document allowing members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community to be baptized by the Roman Catholic church.
In an official document published on November 8, the Vatican clarified its position on the baptism of transgender people and same-sex couples.
According to the document, a person in a same-sex relationship can, serve as godparents at baptisms, be baptized themselves and serve as witnesses at weddings.
Also, it states that there is nothing in current canon law that prohibits a same-sex couple from holding a baptism for a child who has been adopted or was born via surrogacy.
“A transsexual who has also undergone hormonal treatment and sex reassignment surgery can receive baptism, under the same conditions as other faithful, if there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating public scandal or disorientation among the faithful.
In the case of children or adolescents with transsexual problems, if well prepared and willing, they can receive Baptism,” reads part of the report.
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Furthermore, the decision builds on Pope Francis’ support for LGBTQ+ people, who have faced marginalization from the church.
However, the pope had previously approved a Vatican doctrine that Catholic priests cannot bless same-sex unions because God “does not and cannot bless sin.”
Catholic Teaching on Baptism
In the case of Baptism, the Catholic Church teaches that when the sacrament is received without repentance for serious sins, the subject does not receive sanctifying grace, although s/he receives the sacramental character.
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Notably, the pope quoted Catechism that states, “This configuration to Christ and the Church, achieved by the Spirit, is indelible; it remains forever in the Christian as a positive disposition towards grace, as a promise and guarantee of divine protection and as a vocation to divine worship and to the service of the Church.”
This is a significant step forward for the Catholic Church, as it shows a greater acceptance of LGBTQ people.
In the past, the Church has been criticized for its stance on homosexuality, and this document is a sign that the Church is ready to embrace the LGBTQ community.
