Vatican says “no” to sex change, surrogacy and gender theory in new document

Vatican City: The Vatican on Monday reaffirmed its opposition to sex changes, gender theory and surrogacy, as well as abortion and euthanasia, four months after supporting blessings for same-sex couples.

At the same time, the head of its doctrinal office (DDF), Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, said that the Vatican opposes the criminalization of homosexuality practiced by several countries with the support of local Catholic groups.

The publication of “Infinite Dignitas,” a 20-page document, comes after fierce conservative pushback, especially in Africa, against the DDF’s previous statement on LGBT issues.

There is no suggestion that the new text, which outlines what the Church perceives as threats to human dignity, has been prepared in direct response to disputes over same-sex blessings, as it has been five years in the making. But it has been subject to extensive revisions over the period.