This morning, I joined Dr. Andrew Sodergren on Kiki Latimer’s The Catholic Bookwork podcast to discuss our contribution to Gender Ideology and Pastoral Practice: A Handbook for Catholic Clergy, Counselors, and Ministerial Leaders. We discussed the history of gender dysphoria, recent changes to the diagnosis and demographic, and what is going on with how people understand themselves and develop as sexual beings.
I had the privilege of collaborating on a book designed to assist Catholics involved in pastoral work. We hope to assist those in the Catholic Church ministering to children and families who are struggling with the complexities of a destructive ideology surrounding sexual identity. The book gathered a collection of experts from different disciplines to discuss the many facets of gender ideology and its implications.Some of the common questions we addressed include: what is gender ideology? what is gender dysphoria and how does it develop? what does it mean to transition? what does the Catholic Church teach on this issue? How can the Church help support families and their children through gender discordance?
In answering these and other related questions, our goal is to help clergy and lay pastoral ministers understand the challenges that arise when someone asserts a “gender identity” that does not align with their biological sex. The book offers practical guidance on how to approach these situations with compassion, clarity, and faithfulness to the teachings of the Church, preparing ministers to be responsive and supportive when these sensitive issues arise in parish or school settings.