The Vatican has released a new document titled “Dignitas Infinita” focusing on human dignity, denouncing abortion, gender theory, and surrogacy while also defending the rights of migrants and LGBTQ+ individuals. Approved by Pope Francis, the document aims to address internal divisions within the Church, particularly following controversy over blessings for same-sex couples. It covers key themes of Jorge Bergoglio’s papacy such as war, poverty, ecology, social justice, bioethical issues, and digital violence, listing cases of serious violations of dignity over five years of work by the Vatican’s doctrine of the faith department.
The text condemns surrogacy as being in total contradiction with basic human dignity, stating that the legitimate desire to have a child cannot be turned into a “right to a child” that disregards the child’s dignity as a recipient of the gift of life. It also sees a dangerous moral crisis in the widespread acceptance of abortion in society. The Vatican strongly denounces the so-called gender theory as a “very dangerous ideological colonization” for the first time, with Pope Francis warning against any form of gender change operation that might threaten a person’s unique dignity. The document differentiates between gender transition surgeries, which it rejects, and genital anomalies present at birth or developed later, which can be addressed with healthcare professionals.
While emphasizing respect for LGBTQ+ individuals, the Church condemns the imprisonment, torture, and deprivation of life based solely on sexual orientation in some places. A significant portion of the document is dedicated to addressing violence against women, stating that femicide will never be condemned enough. The declaration aims to bridge the gap between those solely focused on defending life at its beginning or end and those neglecting other threats to human dignity, according to Vatican News editorialist Andrea Tornielli. Pope Francis has advocated for an inclusive Church that welcomes all, including LGBTQ+ individuals, despite facing opposition.
In conclusion, the new Vatican document “Dignitas Infinita” highlights the importance of upholding human dignity while addressing controversial issues such as abortion, surrogacy, gender theory, and LGBTQ+ rights. It reflects Pope Francis’ efforts to promote social justice, ecological responsibility, and respect for migrants, while also condemning violence against women. Despite facing resistance within the Church, the Pope continues to advocate for an inclusive and compassionate approach as a way to overcome internal divisions and strengthen the Church’s commitment to human dignity and equality.
