(ZENIT News / Rome, 17.10.2024).- A recent Report revealed an alarming situation in the Catholic medical care system in the United States. According to an analysis of the “Do No Harm” medical vigilance group, between 2019 and 2023, almost 150 hospitals affiliated to the Catholic Church offered gender transition therapies to minors, a fact that generated controversy, not only for contradicting the teachings of the Church, but also for ignoring the explicit guidelines of the American Bishops.
The Dimension of the Problem
The Report, published this week, shows that over 520 minors in some 40 States received some type of medical intervention for gender transition in Catholic hospitals. These interventions included the administration of puberty blockers and hormonal therapies, as well as surgeries to alter minors’ physical appearance, with the objective to look like the opposite sex. In total, 152 gender reassignment surgeries were carried out, despite the fact that the Catholic Church prohibits these practices.
The figues are overwhelming: over 1,850 medical prescriptions related to gender transition were issued in Catholic hospitals during the period analyzed. Moreover, more than 380 children were given puberty blockers or hormonal therapies, while over 150 underwent surgeries.
The Church’s Position
Notwithstanding these facts, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has been clear in its position on these interventions. In 2023, the Bishops issued guidelines that label gender transition therapies as morally unacceptable. These interventions, which seek to alter a person’s physical sexual characteristics, do not respect the integrity of the unity between body and soul, according to Catholic teaching.
The Bishops’ official document stresses that Catholic hospitals must not carry out surgical or chemical procedures that seek to modify a person’s biological sex. Nevertheless, the data presented by “Do No Harm” shows a disconnection between the guidelines and the real practice in Catholic hospitals.
Responses and Reactions
In face of the Report’s publication, the Catholic Health Association (CHA), which represents more than 600 hospitals and 1,600 long-term care centers in the whole of the United States, questioned the data presented, but did not deny the carrying out of these interventions. In a statement, CHA criticized the methodology of “Do No Harm,” describing it as “irresponsible “ and warning that the Report makes dangerous suppositions about patients and providers of medical care.
However, the “Do No Harm” group defended the precision of its findings, assuring that the data is publicly available through insurance claims and that any person can replicate its analysis.
Beth Serio, Manager of the external relations of “Do No Harm,” pointed out that its main concern is the protection of minors. Serio lamented CHA’s response, arguing that the Report should be an opportunity to reflect on the potential harm that these interventions can do to children that face confusion regarding their gender identity.
Hospitals Under a Magnifying Glass
The vigilance group’s analysis also revealed that half of the gender transition surgeries carried out in Catholic hospitals were effected by only five medical centers, operated by the Providence Catholic health system, which runs 51 hospitals in five States. This data has generated an urgent appeal to ecclesiastical leaders to take corrective measures to ensure that practices in hospitals affiliated to the Church are aligned with its ethical principles.
Challenges and Possible Actions
The question now facing American Bishops is what measure to take in face of these revelations. Although the USCCB reiterated its commitment to accompany people that struggle with gender identity questions, it has also made clear that Catholic hospitals must adhere to the Church’s teachings.
A Hot Topic
The debate about gender transition treatments for minors have gained relevance in the political sphere of the United States. While some States led by Republicans have approved laws to restrict these interventions, others, governed by Democrats, have implemented measures to guarantee their access. Amid this polarization, Catholic hospitals find themselves in a delicate position, obliged to balance their moral principles with the medical care they offer.
