The clergy discussed the issue of gender at their conference in Leeds this week.
Bishop John Sherrington, the auxiliary bishop of Westminster said: “We recognise that there are people who do not accept their biological sex. We are concerned about and committed to their pastoral care.”
He added: “We wish to extend compassion and accompany them in the way that they live out their faith.”
Wanting to highlight how the Catholic Church desires to be understanding towards those struggling with gender, he said: “There is a place of welcome for everyone in the Catholic Church.”
However, Bishop John added that Catholic teaching maintains that “God creates human beings male and female”, quoting Genesis 1:27.
He explained their position theologically remains the same: “Therefore we emphasise these foundational differences and the way in which they do shape our understanding – that’s in contrast to those that argue that the individual is free to define himself or herself today.”
In a joint statement, the bishops said: “We are deeply concerned that this ideology of gender is creating confusion.”
“We hope for a renewed appreciation of the fundamental importance of sexual difference in our culture and the accompaniment of those who experience conflict in their sense of self and God-given identity.”
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