Transgender People Bring Special Gifts to the Church

In 2023, the Vatican stated that transgender Catholics, even those who have undergone gender affirming surgery, can be baptized into the Church. Yet, we often forget that even before this official welcoming directive, trans Catholics have already been bringing their gifts into many Catholic spaces.

Kori Pacyniak

In a recent episode of U.S. Catholic magazine’s podcast entitled Glad You Asked the hosts spoke to Kori Pacyniak, a trans Roman Catholic Womanpriest about “creating sacred space and liturgy by and for queer and trans Catholics.” For Pacyniak (they/them), Catholicism has always been a “home” to come back to. When they were figuring out their gender identity, they struggled to know whether they would have a place in the Church. Pacyniak came to the conclusion that God does not have a problem with transness. Rather, the Catholic institution is the entity that has taken issue with those who do not identify as heterosexual and cisgender. 

When considering  whether trans people should be welcomed into the church, and if so, how, Pacyniak says that these questions fail to recognize the trans Catholics already  are or previously were in the Church. It is hard to welcome new trans people into a space where current trans people often go unrecognized. 

Trans identities have always been prominent in church life, they point out. In early Christianity, androgyny, crossdressing, and changing names were common, although there was no language for these concepts at the time. By embracing the gender-bending themes of many Catholic stories, Pacyniak argues that we can have a greater understanding of God and humanity. Transness allows us to embrace a “theology of love,” which focuses on the beauty of human diversity rather than the fear of differences.

For Pacyniak, it is also important that we examine the gifts that trans people currently bring to religious spaces. Trans people who serve as lectors and  eucharisitc ministers, and other lay ministries. Some run LGBTQ+ groups and others train spiritual directors on affirming care. Unfortunately, these initiatives often go unnoticed, but they show how deeply many trans Catholics care for the Church.

As for advice for young trans people struggling with their faith, Pacyniak urges folks to figure out what is right for them. Some may benefit from finding an affirming parish that accepts them, while others may need to step away from the Church for some time. God will love you either way, they say.

Trans Catholics have always existed and will continue to exist. In addition to focusing on how we should welcome them, we must also acknowledge the trans people who are currently enriching the Church. By doing this, we are able to deepen our faith and connect more with humanity.

—Sarah Cassidy, New Ways Ministry, June 4, 2025

Further reading:

Kori Pacyniak has provided two guest posts for Bondings 2.0:

December 11, 2023: Are Trans Catholics Welcome in the Church? This May Not Be the Right Question.

February 4, 2024: “God Doesn’t Want You to Be Miserable.”