Trans Life and the Catholic Church Today - by Nicolete Burbach & Lisa Sowle Cahill (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The first three chapters illustrate the development of Catholic thinking on transgender in the late 20th century. The second section of the book considers transgender identity from multiple perspectives: canon legal; legal; sociological, clinical; bioethical; and educational. The last two chapters of the second section shift the focus in the direction of theology and pastoral practice, themes that are explored in greater depth in the third section of the book"--

Book Synopsis

While transgender and non-binary identities are increasingly visible, too many Christians have either maintained a fearful silence, or have attacked 'transgenderism' as a threat to Christian faith and practice. More serious theological reflection is needed, not least of all in the Roman Catholic tradition. Moreover, the Catholic context presents particular challenges that are relevant beyond the Catholic world, due to the Church's widespread involvement in healthcare provision and education, and its traditions of thought around these activities.

This volume considers the various questions to do with trans people in the life of the Church from an interdisciplinary, Catholic, ecumenical perspective, reaching out to academics, clergy and educated lay readers. It brings together perspectives from a variety of disciplines to provide a rigorous, wide-ranging engagement with these pressing issues; and includes a number of trans contributors, making their voices present in these discussions, which are about them, but from which they are often excluded.

The first three chapters illustrate the development of Catholic thinking on transgender issues in recent decades. The second section of the book considers transgender identity from multiple perspectives: canon legal; legal; sociological, clinical; bioethical; and educational. The last two chapters of the second section shift the focus in the direction of theology and pastoral practice, themes that are explored by emerging theological scholars in the third section of the book.

Review Quotes

"This powerful collection sets out to be "orthodox and affirming", and navigates this space with courage and aplomb. The authors demonstrate the richness of the Roman Catholic tradition in ways recognizable to practicing Catholics, and highlight how the tradition might offer new and valuable insights that ring true with trans people's lives and self-conceptions. Driven by the principle of grace (sometimes hand in hand with righteous rage), the authors show that building peaceful constructive conversations about gender diversity cannot mean eliding or glossing over areas of real difference and disagreement. Through bringing together previously-published material and new original pieces, by both trans and cis scholars, the volume gets readers right up to date with discussions of trans identity informed by Catholic doctrine, teaching, and pastoral practice. It will be of great service in elevating the level of discourse on trans identity and Christianity." --Susannah Cornwall, University of Exeter, UK

"If you, like me, are on a steep learning curve with regards matters Trans in the life of the Church, then you will be much taught by this deeply rewarding collection. It combines expertise, experience and passion, intertwined with first person witness: each of them indispensable as we advance towards truthfulness." --James Alison, Catholic Priest, Theologian & Author, Spain

"Recent Catholic statements on translife, gender, and sexuality have combined enthusiasm for trans accompaniment with a barely hidden assumption that growth in the spiritual life will lead trans Catholics to repudiate their identities. In contrast, the authors of this thoughtful collection of interdisciplinary essays weave theology, biblical studies, medicine, psychology, and other human sciences into an account of trans life that is worthy of the church.
As these varied and powerful essays show, the conjunction of "trans" and "Catholic" remakes theological anthropology so that it better reflects everyone's divinely created, embodied, lived reality. They overcome the narrow, impoverished anthropology of complementarity and procreativity by reaching back to the wealth of scripture and tradition to rediscover the criteria of flourishing within a community of interdependent social belonging." --Cristina Traina, Fordham University, USA

About the Author

Nicolete Burbach is Social and Environmental Justice Lead at London Jesuit Centre, UK.

Lisa Sowle Cahill is J. Donald Monan Professor at Boston College, USA