Our Holy Father Pope Francis has once again surprised the media (this is just one example) with a brief and frank comment about gender ideology. This comment was made during an open discussion with the Polish bishops during the pope’s trip for World Youth Day.
The comment was in response to a question about migrants and is as follows:
I would like to conclude with this aspect, since behind all this there are ideologies. In Europe, America, Latin America, Africa, and in some countries of Asia, there are genuine forms of ideological colonization taking place. And one of these – I will call it clearly by its name – is [the ideology of] “gender”. Today children – children! – are taught in school that everyone can choose his or her sex. Why are they teaching this? Because the books are provided by the persons and institutions that give you money. These forms of ideological colonization are also supported by influential countries. And this terrible!
In a conversation with Pope Benedict, who is in good health and very perceptive, he said to me: “Holiness, this is the age of sin against God the Creator”. He is very perceptive. God created man and woman; God created the world in a certain way… and we are doing the exact opposite. God gave us things in a “raw” state, so that we could shape a culture; and then with this culture, we are shaping things that bring us back to the “raw” state! Pope Benedict’s observation should make us think. “This is the age of sin against God the Creator”. That will help us.
One might ask, how is what the pope said such a surprise?
Pope Francis has commented a number of times on the “ideology of gender” and even the “ideological colonization” that attacks the family. (See, for example, Amoris Laetitia, no. 56; his Meeting with Families in Manila on January 16, 2015; his Address in Naples on March 23, 2015; his General Audience on April 15, 2015; his Address to the bishops of Puerto Rico on June 8, 2015; and his Address to Équipes de Notre Dame on September 10, 2015.)
This is in addition to the numerous times that the Holy Father has insisted (reflecting the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 2333 and 2393) that all men and women are called to accept their sexual identities (see Amoris Laetitia, nos. 285-286 ; Laudato si’ no. 155) and that the family, based on the marriage between one man and one woman, is essential for children’s development (see, for example, Lumen Fidei, no. 52; Address to the Bishops of Malawi, November 6, 2014; Address to the International Catholic Child Bureau, April 11, 2014; Message for the 49th World Communications Day, January 23, 2015; and Welcome Ceremony in La Paz, Bolivia, July 8, 2015).
Does this mean that the pope is somehow out-of-step with his own declarations about the mercy of God and the abundance of love that God has for each person? Surely not. In fact, these assertions by the Holy Father are no doubt uttered with profound love for those who are harmed by the confusion and pain that gender ideology causes. For if we are created by the loving God as male and female, then we will not find happiness or fulfillment by rejecting this fundamental fact of our existence. Out of love, then, Pope Francis points out the errors in gender ideology and encourages bishops and all Catholics to do the same.
Church Documents on gender: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VputlhappsU
Homo sapiens are unisexual: man is male and woman is female. Not intersexual or hermaprodite. So we can’t change or create gender.
Homo sapiens sexually reproduce: man has sex with woman. Not homosexuality or crossbreeding. So we can’t have same-sex activity or bestiality.
Homo sapiens are viviparous: child develops in the womb and born alive. Not oviparity or infanticide. So we can’t do contraception or abortion.
Homo sapiens are monogamous: man and woman live together. Not polygamy or mono-parenting. So we can’t practice divorce or polygamy.
Homo sapiens are iteroparitous: many children can be born. Not semelparity or semi-iteroparity. So we can’t use population control or sterilization.
Even if some people are hermaprodite, or believe they have the wrong body, or think giving birth to disabled children is cruel, or wish to marry waifus, or desire to undergo euthanasia rather than suffer, still this does not dehumanize mankind: we are consubstantial and equal human beings, as evidenced by our human DNA, chromosomes, cells, tissues, blood, organs, bones, body parts, weaknesses, limitations, deformities, depression, talents, gifts, strengths, art, language, speech, laughter, crying, love, consent, faith, self-awareness, reason, conscience, common sense, wisdom, science, philosophy, emotions, minds, freewill, wants and needs, sins and vices, virtues and values, rights and duties, and every other human quality. So we ought to treat others humanely: showing mercy to hermaprodites, transsexuals, the disabled, mothers, NEETs, and the dying by practicing the works of the virtue of mercy: feeding the hungry, admonishing sinners, etc.