Denver archdiocese defends trans policy, church teaching on biology

The policy has made its rounds in secular media this week after it was obtained and published by The Denver Post. Beyond guidance on transgender students, it states that a Catholic school cannot treat gay parents as an “equivalent to the natural family,” and makes it clear that students must act and be treated in accordance with their biological sex.

The archdiocese confirmed to Crux that the document posted online is accurate. In a statement, an archdiocesan spokesperson said that the goal of the policy is to “foster an environment in which children can grow in virtue and be formed” according to Catholic teaching.

“In these times of great confusion on what is true, we rely upon the natural law, a biblical understanding of the human person that truly leads to abundant life,” the statement said. “The church will not refrain from proclaiming Jesus Christ and the truth about who we are as human people and what we have been created for.” …

The 17-page policy acknowledges that situations of gender identity are “complicated.” It states that each person “deserves to be heard and treated with respect,” and it is the archdiocese’s responsibility to “respond to their concerns with compassion, mercy, and honesty.” The archdiocese emphasized as much in its statement to Crux, saying each individual case will be addressed with the “utmost care and concern for all involved.”