The Archdiocese of St. Louis recently found itself in the spotlight due to comments made by Fr. Mitchell Doyen, a pastor at St. Josephine Bakhita parish. Fr. Doyen publicly expressed his opposition to proposed legislation aimed at permanently banning sex-change surgeries and related procedures for minors in Missouri. This has sparked a significant discussion about the intersection of faith, compassion, and legislative action regarding gender identity.
In a statement released last week, the Archdiocese clarified that Fr. Doyen’s views do not represent the official stance of the Catholic Church. As reported by the National Catholic Register, the archdiocese emphasized that the pastor’s opinions, shared during a Missouri House committee hearing, are his own and do not align with Church teachings. This clarification underscores the Church’s commitment to its doctrine while also advocating for compassion and dignity for all individuals.
The proposed legislation in Missouri seeks to solidify existing restrictions on gender transition procedures for minors, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries such as mastectomies and castrations. Currently, Missouri has a law that restricts these procedures, enacted last summer and upheld in court, but this law is set to expire in August 2027. The ongoing legislative discussions could potentially lead to a more permanent solution.
During the hearing, Fr. Doyen expressed a desire for a compassionate approach to gender issues, sharing personal experiences of forming relationships with trans-identified individuals. He argued for the importance of understanding the human dignity of all, including those experiencing gender dysphoria, and suggested that decisions regarding medical interventions should be left to families and healthcare professionals rather than lawmakers.
However, the Archdiocese of St. Louis firmly maintains that the Catholic Church does not endorse medical procedures aimed at altering an individual’s sexual characteristics. The Church believes that such interventions contradict the fundamental understanding of human sexuality as created by God. In their statement, the archdiocese reiterated their commitment to compassion while clarifying that they do not support surgical or hormonal treatments for minors.
The legislative hearing also featured perspectives from Guillermo Villa Trueba, a lobbyist for the Missouri Catholic Conference, who voiced strong support for the proposed bills. Trueba highlighted concerns about minors being able to provide informed consent for procedures that could lead to irreversible changes and long-term consequences. He referenced biblical teachings on the importance of caring for one’s body, aligning the discussion with faith-based principles.
In a related context, former President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at restricting government funding and support for sex-change procedures for minors. This order emphasizes the administration’s commitment to protecting children from what it terms "chemical and surgical mutilation." The order states that the U.S. will not fund or support the so-called transition of minors, reinforcing the ongoing national debate about the ethics of gender transition treatments for young people.
As discussions continue in Missouri and across the nation, the intersection of faith, healthcare, and legislation remains a critical topic. The Archdiocese of St. Louis and other religious organizations are called to balance their doctrinal beliefs with a compassionate approach to individuals experiencing gender dysphoria. This ongoing dialogue reflects broader societal questions about identity, medical ethics, and the role of faith in public policy.
For more information on the Catholic Church’s teachings regarding gender identity and medical ethics, you can visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the National Catholic Register.