In an unprecedented move, the Diocese of Lexington, led by Bishop John Stowe, released a statement affirming a transgender man as “Brother Christian Matson.” This move surprised many since the Diocese employed male pronouns to refer to this biologically female individual. While discussing Matson, the diocese highlighted Matson’s long-standing commitment to living a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Matson, born a woman named Nicole, revealed her transition and her identity as a transgender person this past Pentecost Sunday. Despite her birth gender, Matson’s masculine appearance and voice have left many of her acquaintances surprised by the revelation. Matson converted to Catholicism four years following her gender transition in college.
A “transsexual” person cannot canonically exist within ecclesiastical or religious states. Transsexuals commit serious violations against chastity by acting against biological reality and the intended divine order. Transsexual individuals not only harm themselves but also encourage others to contradict divine intention, thereby committing sacrilege.