A Catholic Diocese in Michigan has called on its pastors to deny baptism, communion, and other sacraments to gay, trans, and non-binary people, unless they have “repented”.

Disclaimer: This story contains details of a religious organization’s homophobic and transphobic views and may be distressing for some readers. For 24 hour crisis assistance and suicide prevention, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support, call QLife at 1800 184 527 or online chat.

The bishop asks for repentance

Bishop Reverend John F Doerfler of the Catholic Diocese of Marquette presented a set of guidelines for the church in July. The guide says that people in same-sex relationships or those who have undergone or attempted a “gender transition” cannot be baptized or receive Communion or act as a sponsor for someone else undergoing these ceremonies.

“Pastors should discuss such situations in private with people and inform them that they should not show up for Holy Communion unless they have withdrawn from the relationship and received the sacrament of penance,” said the document.

Likewise, a person who publicly identifies as a sex other than their biological sex or who has attempted a ‘gender transition’ cannot be baptized, confirmed, or received into full fellowship in the Church, unless the no one repented. “

Compare trans people to people With anorexia

I am a religious leader. I am transgender. When I speak of how churches have walked a path in the conflagration of hatred and fear, what the Diocese of Marquette has written here is just to put another face to that hatred. Thank you James Martin for bringing their hatred to light. https://t.co/btXQY8JGa0

– Vica Steel (@SteelVica) December 8, 2021

The document says that children who have parents in a same-sex relationship can be baptized and receive Communion “provided there is a proper–founded the hope that children will be brought up and educated in the Catholic faith.

In the guidelines, the Diocese of Michigan compared trans people to those with anorexia.

“A good analogy is how we would help people with anorexia nervosa. In this disorder, there is an incongruity between the way people see themselves and their bodily reality. They can perceive themselves as overweight when they are thin enough.

“Just as we would refer a person with anorexia to an expert for help, also refer people with gender dysphoria to a qualified counselor to help them while we show them the depth of our love and friendship. “

“It is not a sin”

1. It is not a sin to be transgender.
2. It is not a sin to be LGBTQ.
3. As Pope Francis said, the Eucharist is not a “price for the perfect”.
4. Catholic leaders must be aware of the real effects of such stigmatizing language on LGBTQ people.https://t.co/oQJnQHXIij

– James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) December 10, 2021

The guidelines were first published in July this year, but went viral last week on social media when Jesuit priest, LGBTQ advocate and bestselling author Reverend James Martin criticized them on Twitter, saying : “It’s not a sin to be transgender. . “

“Transgender people are beloved children of God who struggle to understand their identity. They must be accepted with “respect, compassion and sensitivity”. As Cardinal Gregory said to a trans person, “You belong to the heart of this church. “

The executive director of DignityUSA, which advocates for LGBTQ rights in the Catholic Church, Marianne Duddy-Burke, described the guidelines as the “most egregious” ever issued by a diocese.

“That educational mandate has been sort of sidelined by almost every other country in the world, but it just shows how many warrior culture bishops we have here in the United States, that they’ve really amplified this kind of thing. ‘education at the expense of LGBTQ Catholics, who increasingly feel excluded by our church hierarchy, ”said Duddy-Burke.

Sexual Sins Aren’t the Most Serious, Says Pope

Duddy-Burke added that the guidelines are part of a larger trend in which the Catholic Church appears to be helping LGBTQ people, but is actually causing more harm.

The same week these guidelines came under criticism, Pope Francis told a press conference that sexual sins are not the most serious.

According to the Pope “The sins of the flesh are not the most serious,” and people should be more concerned with the sins of pride and hatred instead.

If you feel upset while reading the story, you can contact support services.

For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14

For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support, call QLife at 1800 184 527 or online chat.