While I now regret using people who identify as transgender (which Wikipedia defines as people whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond with the sex they were assigned (or people of faith would say "that God them when they were  conceived in their mother's womb), I have decided to use this pastor's column to present in short form some of what the "Church" says about this issue. Firstly, as disciples of Jesus Christ we are call to "Christ-like" love for all people. We must not look with disdain or worse toward these or any other people who, like us, were formed by God in their mother's womb. the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the sexes are meant by divine design to be different and complimentary, each having equal dignity and made in the image of God. I also like and recommend what I read from "Catholic Answers" when it says "we should help people discover their true identities as children of God, not support them in the disordered attempt to reject their undeniable biological identity." In March the USCCB (United States Bishops issued a 14  page statement directed firstly to Catholic health care institutions named "Doctrinal Note on the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Bidy" which can be accessed online at the www.USCCB.org website. In summary, it says Catholic hospitals "must not perform interventions, whether surgical or chemical, that aim to transform the sexual characteristics of a human body into those of the opposite sex, or take part in the development of such procedures." I believe the bishops would speak against such action in ANT hospital or health care institution. The Church, as far as I know, will not give direction on terminology when addressing a person who identifies as transgender, nor will it comment on other practical issues that have made the news. namely the use of public bathrooms and competitive sports situations (unless it involves Catholic facilities or Catholic institutions that offers sports for its students). Bishop Taylor has spoken about the freedom of people not to participate in certain ceremonies and activities (i.e."Pride" parades) as "not being discrimination against the persons involved in such gatherings not is it an expression of hatred towards the persons involved". (April 3, 2015). If I have any more to add about this subject (especially after reading the 14 page document listed above) I'll bring it up in a future pastor's column.