Diocese issues law on sexuality and gender

By Margaret M. RusSell
The Catholic Free Press

As the chief teacher of faith and morals in the Diocese of Worcester, Bishop McManus has taken steps to address a cultural confusion which has arisen about human sexuality and gender, the Church’s teaching on the subject, and a consistent response to it.  
“There is a troubling acceptance of the erroneous claim that sexuality is a fluid reality that can be chosen apart from one’s biological identity,” Bishop McManus wrote in an introduction to a new particular law promulgated for the Diocese of Worcester.
A policy on human sexual identity, which was presented in a letter to diocesan schools in June, was expanded and became particular law for the entire diocese effective Dec. 8.
(The law is published on Page 4 of the Dec. 15 print and e-edition of the paper and can be found online at worcesterdiocese.org/decrees-and-officials.)
The school policy, called “Catholic Education and the Human Person,” was in effect at St. Paul Diocesan Junior/Senior High School in the 2022-2023 academic year. It was shared with all Catholic schools in the Diocese in late June.
After consultation with the diocesan religious education and youth ministry departments the policy was expanded to include parishes, religious education and youth ministry programs, according to Msgr. F. Stephen Pedone, diocesan judicial vicar and vicar for canonical affairs. With the focus on these diocesan entities, it does not apply to area colleges, Msgr. Pedone explained.  
School principals and those ministering to the youth were asking for guidance with gender issues that have become problematic in the public sector, Msgr. Pedone said.
The “Diocesan Policy for all Parishes, Schools, and Diocesan Youth Programs in the Diocese of Worcester Regarding Sexuality and Sexual Identity,” provides a framework so these matters are addressed in a consistent and authentically Catholic manner.   
As a particular law to this diocese it is stronger than the policy letter issued for the schools, he said.  
“It is my grave responsibility to clarify the teachings that are found in our rich faith tradition, in conjunction with the foundational principles found in the natural moral law,” Bishop McManus states in his introduction.
He said that he is particularly concerned that some people are denying that their human sexuality is a biological gift from God from birth.
He is also concerned that the Church’s teachings on sexual identity have been misconstrued as promoting “discrimination, bullying and even hatred.”
The particular law makes it clear that “as Pope Francis notes, we must always respect the sacred dignity of each individual person, but that does not mean the Church must accept the confused notions of secular gender ideology.”  
The policy says that “bullying, harassment, or threats or acts of violence against any person based on that person’s perceived sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity will not be tolerated.”
It also calls all people to chastity “in accordance with their state in life” and modesty in language, appearance, dress and behavior in parish and school environments.  
“All people are expected to conduct themselves … in a manner consistent with their biological sex,” the policy states. This refers to school sports, locker rooms, bathrooms, titles, names, pronouns, and official documents.
“Sacramental records, diplomas, transcripts, school records, and any other ‘official documents’ shall be issued in conformity with the child’s biological sex as based upon physical differences at birth and at the time of the child’s enrollment or participation,” the document states.  
Msgr. Pedone said the bishop cites the canonical authority he has to expect that local private Catholic schools under the sponsorship of various religious communities incorporate this particular law into their policies.
Dioceses across the country are adding human sexuality and gender policies in response to cultural changes. According to a National Catholic Reporter story, in February there were 34 dioceses that had such policies in place. Since then, the Diocese of Cleveland, the dioceses of Davenport and Sioux City, Iowa, and the Worcester Diocese are among those who have added policies.  
“While the Catholic Church clearly differs from the popular culture on the issue of sexuality and sexual identity, at the same time the moral teaching of the Church is steadfast in promoting and protecting the dignity of every person as a child of God. We can respectfully disagree with someone when their opinions differ from the Catholic Church’s foundational moral principles, while always loving each person as a child of God,” Bishop McManus states.