Through the last ten years, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia has seen a rise in transgender ideology.
To provide Catholics with context on the subject backed by Church teaching, Bishop Burbidge has published “A Catechesis on the Human Person and Gender Ideology,” which draws from a wide-range of sources to clarify how Catholics can approach gender ideology.
BP. MICHAEL BURBIDGE
Bishop of Arlington (USA)
'Our idea was to write a catechesis on the human person in such a way that our teaching on the human person was conveyed in user-friendly terms, but using the philosophical, theological frameworks and tools that present the right language in explaining our teaching.'
In it, Bishop Burbidge explains the role of creation in determining gender and identity, as well as how to engage with others on the topic.
BP. MICHAEL BURBIDGE
Bishop of Arlington (USA)
'If I love someone, I'm not going to call them by a different pronoun than what God has created that person biologically, that's not a mean thing to do that's a loving thing to do because it's true.'
The bishop emphasizes that the document is not a license to attack those who think differently than they do, but provides the tools and vocabulary to better understand gender ideology and Church teaching.
BP. MICHAEL BURBIDGE
Bishop of Arlington (USA)
'We do not, in a sense, in a threatening way, impose forcefully our teaching, but in a loving way to say this is truth. We are that person that God wanted us to be, that God created us to be, and to be celebrating that, not wishing or hoping to be someone else.'
In Arlington, Bishop Burbidge says his catechesis is prompting dialogue in parishes, schools, and among individuals, and hopes it will lead to better conversations in his diocese and beyond.
JM
