Catholic Vote, a religious advocacy organization, has expressed concern over one of the largest Catholic healthcare systems performing gender transition surgeries on children. The organization states that this practice represents a significant departure from the Church's traditional stance on the matter. This statement was made on October 8th.
"One of the largest Catholic healthcare systems actively cutting off children's body parts through gender transition surgeries and betraying the Church's historic commitment to human dignity is shocking—especially considering that Catholics have long played a vital role in establishing hospitals and championing care that upholds the dignity of the human person," said Vote, Catholic Organization. "Pray for change. Pray for accountability."
According to a recent report, nearly 150 Catholic hospitals in the United States provided transgender-related treatments, including surgeries and hormone therapies, to minors between 2019 and 2023. This practice is said to contradict the teachings of the Church. Over 520 minors received treatment, with more than 150 undergoing surgeries. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has condemned such interventions, stating they are not morally justified. However, Catholic health providers have criticized the report's methodology without refuting its data, as reported by the Catholic News Agency.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington has filed a lawsuit against Swedish Health Services and Providence Health & Services for allegedly refusing a medically necessary chest reconstruction surgery to Ari Robbins, a transgender man. The lawsuit claims that this denial violated Washington state law, specifically citing the Washington Law Against Discrimination and the Consumer Protection Act for discrimination based on sex and gender identity. As a result of this denial, Robbins reportedly experienced significant emotional and physical distress and had to delay his surgery by five months.
Catholic Vote is based in Madison, Wisconsin, and is a nonprofit organization focused on mobilizing Catholic voters. Founded in 2008, its mission is to promote a Catholic perspective on public policy and encourage civic engagement among Catholics. The organization operates a political action committee and engages in advocacy efforts on issues such as religious freedom, life, and family.
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