Catholic theologian criticizes Trump for denying third gender existence
According to Keenan, "we need to recognize and accompany the transgender community as well, something that the President’s original executive order effectively opposes."
Renowned Roman Catholic theologian and priest James F. Keenan has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump following the latter’s recent remarks on gender identity, reports the Catholic LGBT resource Outreach.
Speaking at a bioethics conference, the Catholic scholar stated that the American president’s stance – denying the existence of more than two genders – contradicts current scientific understanding of gender identity and harms vulnerable populations.
“A categorical denial of the complexity of human identity does not align with either scientific data or the spirit of Christian compassion,” Keenan emphasized in his address.
According to him, the Catholic Church must take a more “nuanced and pastorally sensitive” approach to gender issues, balancing traditional teaching with modern scientific research.
Keenan also noted that while traditional Catholic doctrine recognizes the binary nature of sex as part of divine design, this should not prevent the Church from acknowledging and respecting the dignity of individuals with nontraditional gender identities.
He asserted that “like with intersex people, we need to recognize and accompany the transgender community as well, something that the President’s original executive order effectively opposes.”
Previously, President Trump had firmly rejected the idea of more than two genders in a public statement, calling it a “radical leftist ideology that undermines American values.” He later signed an executive order on gender policy declaring that the U.S. would officially recognize only two genders – male and female.
