In the wake of Pope Francis’ declaration condemning ‘gender theory,’ White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced questions about President Biden’s stance on the matter. The Pope’s document reaffirms the Catholic Church’s position on immutable gender. The Press Secretary went on to state that the President was fully committed to being an ally to the trans community.
Pressing Questions on Pope Francis’ Declaration
The reporters questioned the white house press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday, inquiring him about the Pope’s stance on ‘gender theory.’
Ultimately asking what the president had to say about Pope’s document and whether Biden supported the transgender community. “I’m going to be really careful. The president’s role to litigate internal Church policy, that’s not his role, so I’m gonna be super careful there,” Jean-Pierre said. “But I can speak to the president’s stance, and he’s always been very clear on the importance of protecting or having protections for the transgender community and the broader LGBTQ+ community, and that’s been very clear since day one of his administration.” Jean-Pierre’s response emphasized Biden’s support for the community without a doubt.
What Is the Pope’s Formal Declaration?
Dignitas Infinita, a term coined by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), Latin for ‘infinite dignity,’ is a document issued by the Vatican on Monday, having been developed for over five years.
It focuses on threats to human dignity in the present modern world and criticizes gender theory, transgender surgery, and surrogacy as affronts to human dignity.
The Church’s Stance on Gender Theory
It is pretty evident from the document, which was recently released, that the Catholic Church outright rejects the gender theory and labels it as an attempt to alter immutable gender.
The document quotes, “Regarding gender theory, whose scientific coherence is the subject of considerable debate among experts, the Church recalls that human life in all its dimensions, both physical and spiritual, is a gift from God, this gift is to be accepted with gratitude and placed at the service of the good. Desiring personal self-determination, as gender theory prescribes, apart from this fundamental truth that human life is a gift, amounts to a concession to the age-old temptation to make oneself God…”
What Is the Biden Administration’s Position?
Jean-Pierre was careful in responding to the questions about internal church policy but did assure the reporters of Biden’s consistent advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and protection.
In response to being asked about the document, the secretary said, “The president will continue to be an advocate for the rights, safety, and dignity of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender people here in the U.S..”
Reaffirmation of Human Dignity
The document Dignitas Infinita sheds light on the ontological dignity of the human person. The document determines if things such as gender theory exist or not.
Furthermore, the document also reaffirms the church’s teaching on abortion and talks about its long-standing ethical criticism of surrogate pregnancies, regarding which Pope Francis recently called for a worldwide ban.
What Are the Criticisms of Gender Theory?
The church talks very straightforwardly about its concerns about the denial of sexual differences and the manipulation of human life this way.
The Pope further warns his followers about the dangers of ideological colonization, which these new thoughts, like gender theory, are bringing into the world. The document continues, “Another prominent aspect of gender theory is that it intends to deny the greatest possible difference that exists between living beings: sexual difference… In the male-female couple, this difference achieves the most marvelous of reciprocities. It thus becomes the source of that miracle that never ceases to surprise us: the arrival of new human beings in the world.”
Ethical Criticisms of Surrogacy
The church also raises points on the ethical criticism of surrogate pregnancies in the document. “The Church also takes a stand against the practice of surrogacy, through which the immensely worthy child becomes a mere object,” the document states.
Their concerns about the commodification of human life and the dignity of the child are talked about, citing the Pope, and addressing the Christian community all over the world.
Protection of Human Life
The church is firmly committed to protecting people’s lives, not only from the basic things of the modern world but also from conception to natural death.
The Vatican strongly opposes surrogacy practices and the treatment of human embryos. “Because of this unalienable dignity, the child has the right to have a fully human (and not artificially induced) origin and to receive the gift of a life that manifests both the dignity of the giver and that of the receiver,” quotes the document.
What Is the Vatican’s Perspective on Human Dignity?
The catholic church’s perspective on critical ethical issues mainly revolves around 14 points that the Vatican believes require more intense consideration from society.
The text reads, “Some topics may resonate more with some sectors of society than others. Nevertheless, all of them strike us as being necessary because, taken together, they help us recognize the harmony and richness of the thought about human dignity that flows from the Gospel.”
Not an Exhaustive Guide?
There has been clarification that the document is not a comprehensive guide to modern moral controversies. At the same time, it aims to offer points for reflection on complex historical moments.
As the document cites, “This Declaration does not set out to exhaust such a rich and crucial subject. Instead, it aims to offer some points for reflection that can help us maintain an awareness of human dignity amid the complex historical moment in which we are living.”
Maintaining Awareness of Human Dignity
The declaration’s purpose in helping society is to maintain awareness of human dignity among people to further prevent wounds and profound suffering amid all the contemporary concerns in the modern world.
The document states, “This is so that we may not lose our way and open ourselves up to more wounds and profound sufferings amid the numerous concerns and anxieties of our time.”
What Is Its Impact on White House Policy?
There has been an analysis of how Pope Francis’s declaration may be a significant influence on the white house policy on LGBTQ+ rights.
There are many people who have raised their concerns about Biden’s administration’s commitment to uphold transgender rights.
Response from LGBTQ+ Advocacy Groups
There is an uproar of reactions from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in regard to the Pope’s declaration.
 They call for continued support and protection of their transgender individuals after the release of the document this Monday.
Future Engagement between the White House and the Vatican
The specialization on potential discussions between the White House and the Vatican over LGBTQ+ rights is predicted to take place soon.
With time, the importance of diplomatic engagement in addressing areas of disagreement continues to grow.
