Crossing the Line
“It is not a healthy attitude which would seek “to cancel out sexual difference because it no longer knows how to confront it.” – Laudato si’, no. 155
The Church’s opposition to transgenderism is a natural offshoot of its position on the dignity of the human person and respect for creation. While transgender issues are quite new, the Church’s views on human sexuality have never changed. It is because of new medical techniques and novel ideas about gender that the Church has had to clearly articulate its position on the possibility of changing gender and the morality of attempting to do so.
Thus, it should come as no surprise that the Church is adamantly opposed to investing in companies that provide medications or services for gender reassignment.
The prohibition extends to companies performing surgery for transgender purposes as well as those administering drugs for that purpose. It’s important to note that the Church does not condemn investing in companies that manufacture hormones or drugs that can be used for transgender purposes. The reason for this is simply because those prescriptions existed long before transgenderism and have legitimate uses in specific medical circumstances. So, while it affects some “healthcare” companies, this new prohibition does not apply to pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Keeping the Lines Clear
The USCCB recognizes that we cannot reclaim the culture if we only play defense. With that in mind, the investment guidelines include not just a prohibition against certain kinds of companies, but also a requirement to promote the common good. With this in mind, we undertake advocacy initiatives to support Church teaching on a variety of issues. These efforts are a combination of shareholder action and connecting with decision makers to move corporations towards bringing policies in line with Church teaching.