In a surprise move, Christian Matson, a diocesan hermit from Kentucky, announced this week that she is transgender. Catch to all this? She got the go-ahead from her bishop, John Stowe. Brashly going against biblical teachings on gender and identity, Matson, born a woman but living as a man, continues serving as a monk.
Matson chose to identify as male in college. Four years down the line, she converted to Catholicism, feeling a strong call to religious service after completing her masters and doctorate degrees. She hit some hurdles, facing rejection from various bishops and churches, but remained resilient in her quest. Alongside this, Matson co-founded a nonprofit, the Catholic Artist Connection, intending to offer community to religious artists and address the loneliness many artists confront.
Taking the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, Matson wrote to Bishop Stowe in 2020. Having noticed his progressive stance on LGBTQ+ issues within the Catholic Church, Matson saw him as a potential validator of her religious vocation. Upon Stowe’s confirmation of support, Matson reportedly rejoiced.
The position Matson occupies, that of a diocesan hermit, is traditionally not gender-specific and is predominantly solitary, spent mostly in prayer. Validating Matson’s involvement, Stowe remarked that his support is due to her genuine desire to serve the church, adding that the hermit life can accommodate both male and female participants without causing damage to the religious structure.
However, this leniency invites the question of appropriateness for the Catholic Church officials. The fundamental foundation for church officials is an unwavering love for God and the embodiment of His teachings-including His teachings regarding gender.
Notably, the Vatican doctrine department decided in 2023 to permit the baptism and participation of transgender people in Catholic wedding rites, provided this doesn’t trigger controversy among the faithful.
This acceptance of this transgender monk embodies a concerning trend of our nation and religious institutions yielding ground to increasingly woke societal pressures.
In summary, the acceptance of Matson’s transgender identity, while perceived as progressive by some, fundamentally challenges the traditional biblical teachings adhered to by the Catholic Church. A fine line is being tread between openness and contradiction of sacred scriptures, and it would be naive not to question what impact such changes will have on faithful adherents and the very fabric of the Church.
