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done and maybe even good
Friday, 9 January 2009 14:03Just finished my paper entitled "Performance or Vocation: Gender Identity within the Catholic Church". I think it came out decently. Felt the need to share an excerpt I wrote as well as a quote from Justin Tanis.
When the topic of priesthood in regards to gender identity came up at Anglican discussion group, I was asked whether I would prefer the Vatican to simply open up Holy Orders to members of the female sex or if I thought it was more important for the Vatican to deconstruct their theory of sex and gender and open up the priesthood to be more inclusive. It was a question that stumped me, but upon reflection I realized that as someone who struggles with their own gender identity, there was no way I could answer except to lend my support to the latter. Simply opening up the priesthood to the female sex would, in theory, allow me to begin the ordination process (something I feel to be one of my vocations) – however it would force me into a gender identity I am not entirely comfortable with. Since I am continually struggling with my gender identity, I do not think I would be willing to pay the price of hiding my true gender, whatever that might be, simply to enter the process of ordination. This revelation was a mighty blow to me because I have felt a vocation to the priesthood since around the time I was 8 years old and yet my 'vocation to live out my gender' only really began in the past few years so it felt odd to realize that my newer, more recent vocation had some priority over my older one.
And the Tanis quote:
"I, and only I, can know exactly what gender is true for me. God has written it on my heart of hearts, and only God and I can discover what is there."
When the topic of priesthood in regards to gender identity came up at Anglican discussion group, I was asked whether I would prefer the Vatican to simply open up Holy Orders to members of the female sex or if I thought it was more important for the Vatican to deconstruct their theory of sex and gender and open up the priesthood to be more inclusive. It was a question that stumped me, but upon reflection I realized that as someone who struggles with their own gender identity, there was no way I could answer except to lend my support to the latter. Simply opening up the priesthood to the female sex would, in theory, allow me to begin the ordination process (something I feel to be one of my vocations) – however it would force me into a gender identity I am not entirely comfortable with. Since I am continually struggling with my gender identity, I do not think I would be willing to pay the price of hiding my true gender, whatever that might be, simply to enter the process of ordination. This revelation was a mighty blow to me because I have felt a vocation to the priesthood since around the time I was 8 years old and yet my 'vocation to live out my gender' only really began in the past few years so it felt odd to realize that my newer, more recent vocation had some priority over my older one.
And the Tanis quote:
"I, and only I, can know exactly what gender is true for me. God has written it on my heart of hearts, and only God and I can discover what is there."
