Christian Matson, a Catholic monk and diocesan hermit in Kentucky, recently came out as a transgender man with the permission of his bishop. He stated that the Catholic Church will have to accept and deal with transgender individuals who refuse to compromise their identity for their faith. Matson may be the first openly trans person in his role in the Catholic Church, although this claim has not been verified. He transitioned in college and converted to Catholicism four years later, hoping that his coming out would spark meaningful conversations on a controversial topic within the community.
In his message to the church on transgender Catholics, Matson emphasized that God has called them into the church and they have to be dealt with accordingly. He criticized the Vatican for its lack of engagement with the science of transgender issues in its official documents, such as the recent treatise “Infinite Dignity” that described gender theory as an attack on humanity’s connection with God. Matson has reached out to the Vatican multiple times, requesting more engagement with trans individuals and their experiences. Despite facing rejection from several communities, he found a place in Kentucky after consulting a canon lawyer who advised him that becoming a diocesan hermit would be the best option.
Bishop John Stowe of the Diocese of Lexington, a leading voice for LGBTQ+ people in the Catholic Church, received a letter from Matson in 2020 and oversaw his vows in 2022. Stowe noted that hermits, although a rarely used form of religious life, can be either male or female, which allowed Matson to find a place where he could serve the church. Matson, who also has a doctorate in religious studies, renewed his vows in 2023 after spending a year primarily in prayer and working at a local theater. He emphasized that his goal is to serve the church without any hidden agenda, and people can choose to believe him or not.
Matson’s decision to come out as a transgender man comes at a time when the Catholic Church, and the Vatican in particular, has been facing increased scrutiny over its stance on LGBTQ+ issues. Despite the challenges he has faced in finding acceptance within the church, Matson remains steadfast in his commitment to serving the church and advocating for the inclusion of transgender individuals. His story highlights the struggles that many LGBTQ+ individuals face in reconciling their identity with their faith, and the importance of creating spaces within religious communities that are welcoming and affirming for all individuals.
Overall, Matson’s coming out as a transgender man represents a significant step towards greater visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Catholic Church. His bravery in sharing his story and advocating for the rights of transgender Catholics demonstrates a commitment to fostering more inclusive and compassionate communities within religious spaces. As conversations around gender identity and sexuality continue to evolve, individuals like Matson play a crucial role in challenging and changing deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes within institutionalized religion.
