Missouri Priest Displays Unique Courage in Support of Transgender People
Here’s an easy quiz question for our readers:
Who would you trust with knowing what is best for transgender people: a) government officials and church leaders who appear to have no experience or knowledge of the lives of transgender people; OR b) a pastor who has ministered with the trans community and who is calling for citizens, government leaders, church members, and bishops to be in dialogue with this group which is so terribly misunderstood?
Father Mitch Doyen
I thought of that question as I read about Fr. Mitch Doyen, the pastor of St. Josephine Bakhita parish, St. Louis, who recently testified in the state legislature against two bills which would renew Missouri’s current ban on puberty blockers for transgender youth. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the priest told the lawmakers that he believes in a loving God “who has fashioned each human person as a unique reflection of God’s love in the world.” He continued:
Doyen said the bills to continue banning puberty blockers were “dehumanizing our brothers and sisters.” He added:
[Editor’s note: You can watch and listen to Fr. Doyen’s testimony by clicking here for a video provided by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.]
Unfortunately, the Archdiocese of St.Louis, which supports the renewal of the puberty blocker ban, chose to distance themselves from Fr. Doyen’s message, saying the priest spoke only for himself. They issued a statement which said, in part:
“The Catholic Church consistently reaffirms the compassion and inherent dignity of all men and women, including those who experience gender dysphoria. We do not discriminate against anyone based on how they identify or what they believe.
“I need to be clear that I was speaking for myself and I’m pleading for everyone to be in dialogue about the lives of young people. And I have no intention of speaking contrary to church teaching. I just think … through further dialogue we can make better decisions. That’s all.”
“Fear is everywhere,” he observed, noting that fear was “everywhere in the Catholic Church.” He also added a more hopeful message: “The church is still learning, still growing,”
I thought of the question at the beginning of this post not only because of the Missouri story, but because during this past week, the new Presidential administration in Washington, DC, has continued its assault on the rights of transgender and nonbinary people, with two new executive orders. Adding insult to injury have been the speedy and strong vocal support that leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have offered the Trump administration for the anti-trans executive orders.
Fr. Doyen’s gentle message of relationship and dialogue easily trumps the abstract and restrictive messages of both the U.S. President and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. If civil government and church leadership would follow Pope Francis’ encouragement to encounter, listen, and dialogue–which Fr. Mitch Doyen obviously has done–they would not be able to issue statements so far removed from the reality of people’s lives. What makes them so quick to restrict? What makes them so reluctant to engage?
Through his words and his actions, Fr. Doyen has displayed a unique courage. He is a pastor who smells like his sheep.
—Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, February 7, 2025
I remain grateful for these daily reflections so many of which stir anger, sadness, disappointment and then at turns bring hope, encouragement, light. What a beautiful prophetic message shared by Fr. Doyen. Thank you for sharing it.
BRAVO Francis D. and Fr. Mitch. Thank you both for your prophetic courage.
What would Jesus do? I think we all know the answer. He would be compassionate, kind, and loving toward all of God’s children.
I sent an email to Father Doyen thanking him for his support for transgender youths and adults. I don’t know what kind of pushback he is going to get from the Archdiocese, but he has been doing what we all have been urged to do in the process of synodality – listening to people.
Well said.
Not understanding is not an excuse to proceed in word and action that harms emotionally , psychologically, socially. Even one person speaking on behalf of those who are harmed helps and each of us has to speak out as well.
I very much appreciate Fr. Mitches statement for continued unbiased reflection on our relationship and respect for trans persons. I especially felt moved by his statement that THE CHURCH IS STILL GROWING..I would add LEARNING to that. Amen!!
better said more accurately..THE CHURCH IS STILL LEARNING..STILL GROWING…