A memo has been sent to the members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The memo, written by Milwaukee’s Archbishop Jerome Listecki advises that DNA or physical examinations should be used to ensure only biological men enter the priesthood.
The Catholic News Agency (CNA) reports on the memo sent by Archbishop Listecki, the chairman of the USCCB’s canonical affairs committee:
“Recently, the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance was made aware of instances where it had been discovered that a woman living under a transgendered identity had been unknowingly admitted to the seminary or to a house of formation of an institute of consecrated life,” said the memo.
In one case, said Listecki, “the individual’s sacramental records had been fraudulently obtained to reflect her new identity.”
“In all instances, nothing in these individuals’ medical or psychological reports had signaled past treatments or pertinent surgeries,” he added. None of the biologically female seminarians received Holy Orders, said Listecki.
The memo continues: “Some members of the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance observed that a bishop could consider requiring a D.N.A. test or, at a minimum, certification from a medical expert of the bishop’s own choosing, to assure that an applicant is male.”
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