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The Vatican Opinion on Gender Theory.
Julio Tudela1, Enrique Burguete1, Justo Aznar1
1Institute of Life Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia, Spain.
The Linacre Quarterly
|January 25, 2021
Summary
This response argues against the claim that Catholic Church views on gender are unscientific. It highlights the importance of faith and reason in understanding human nature and emphasizes that contemporary science does not offer a single view on sexual identity.
Area of Science:
- Theology and Bioethics
- Anthropology and Gender Studies
Background:
- Critiques the assertion of a conflict between Catholic Church doctrine and "contemporary science" on gender issues.
- Addresses the conflation of intersex conditions and transgender identities in current discourse.
- Challenges the notion that the binary sex/gender model is obsolete and detrimental to understanding human sexuality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a reasoned response to Timothy F. Murphy's article in Bioethics.
- To refute the claim that the Catholic Church's position on gender is unscientific and anachronistic.
- To assert the value of integrating faith and reason in understanding human nature and sexuality.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical and theological argumentation.
- Critical analysis of scientific and bioethical literature.
- Engagement with the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Main Results:
- Contemporary science does not present a monolithic view on human nature and sexual identity.
- Evidence supports a genetically and phenotypically determined binary human sexuality.
- The dialogue between faith and reason is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of creation.
Conclusions:
- The opposition between the Catholic Church and "contemporary science" regarding gender is unfounded.
- A robust understanding of human nature requires more than scientific data alone, incorporating faith and reason.
- The Catholic Church's perspective, informed by faith and reason, offers a valuable framework for anthropological issues related to gender.
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