Vatican Condemns Gender-Affirming Surgery and Surrogacy as Threats to Human Dignity

The Vatican has issued a document titled "Dignitas Inifinita" warning against gender theory and gender-affirming surgery, stating that it threatens the unique dignity of individuals. The document reiterates Catholic teachings on various issues, including abortion, assisted dying, surrogacy, and homosexuality. While Pope Francis has been critical of gender theory, he has also provided pastoral support for transgender Catholics. The document has been criticized by some LGBTQ+ Catholic groups for offering limited dignity to transgender and non-binary individuals. Cardinal Fernández, the prefect of the Vatican’s doctrine dicastery, presented the document and defended the recent approval of blessings for same-sex couples, emphasizing that an understanding of doctrine can develop and deepen.