In mid-May 2024, Catholic news agency CNA reported that hermit Christian Matson living in the Lexington diocese is transgender. He was a woman at birth but a few years ago he transitioned into a man.
After this revelation, Bishop John Eric Stowe, diocese of Lexington, released a statement to clarify the situation: “For a long time, Christian Matson sought holiness in the life of Christ in a living Church. moved, living the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.” He did not ask for ordination but followed a rule of life that helped him live independently, continue his artistic work and live as a hermit in a private retreat. “Christian's life is a testimony of apostolic spirit, integrity and prayer for the Church,” the statement said.
A tolerance that creates controversy
The bishop's tolerance in this case quickly became controversial, especially after the Vatican's Declaration of Human Dignity (Dignitas infinita) strongly condemned gender ideology. According to critics, this is a topic that creates confusion and scandal for believers.
According to Ms. Theresa Farnan of the Center for Ethics and Public Policy, Matson's publicity risks creating confusion in the minds of Catholics about the Church's stance on transgender issues. According to her, men and women can live as hermits in monasteries, but considering a woman as a male monk will disorient the faithful, as if there is no contradiction between Catholic doctrine and ideology. sex. She emphasized that the apostolic exhortation Dignity of the Human Person notes that any attempt to change gender threatens the unique dignity that the human person has received from conception.
According to Dominican theologian priest Thomas Petri, the problem that needs to be known is how monk Matson could openly oppose the Church's teachings.