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Anonymous wrote:

Hey guys,

The other day I was watching a special on a day time talk show about sex changes and it made me wonder:

  • Is this act sinful?

Of course, it sounds like it should be because, quite frankly, it is a little disturbing.

  • However, if there is no [homosexual|heterosexual] (premarital) sex involved at all, is it still a sin?

I know people who have not been happy with the nose or the thighs they were born with have chosen to have them surgically changed.

  • If you are not [happy/comfortable] with the gender you were born with, is it OK to change it, like changing a nose?
  • They, too, are altering the body God gave them, so what is sin?

Thanks!!

Anonymous

  { Is having a sex change okay, in the same way people have their nose or thighs surgically changed? }

Eric replied:

Hi Anonymous,

The Catechism (paragraph 2297) covers this:

"Except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reasons, directly intended amputations, mutilations, and sterilizations performed on innocent persons are against the moral law." (cf. Denzinger-Schönmetzer (DS) 3722)

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2297

This is definitely a mutilation. I don't think the Church has said much about transsexualism or transgenderism, mainly because they are so rare but I suspect it would look dimly on them.

Historically, the Church has specifically condemned castration. I could go on with my own opinion but I'd rather stick to what I know the Church has taught.

Hope this helps,

Eric

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