U.S. Catholic Bishops Officially Ban Gender-Affirming Care at Hospitals

Thu Nov 13 2025 03:29:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a decisive vote, U.S. Catholic bishops have formalized a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender patients, impacting numerous communities reliant on Catholic hospitals for healthcare.

During a recent conference in Baltimore, U.S. Catholic bishops voted overwhelmingly to ban gender-affirming care for transgender individuals in Catholic hospitals. This decision updates the ethical and religious directives for Catholic healthcare institutions, which serve a significant portion of the U.S. population. The move, supported by conservative views within the Church, has drawn criticism from major medical groups and progressive religious voices advocating for transgender rights and inclusion.

U.S. Catholic bishops voted Wednesday to make official a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender patients at Catholic hospitals. The step formalizes a yearslong process for the U.S. church to address transgender health care.

From a Baltimore hotel ballroom, the bishops overwhelmingly approved revisions to their ethical and religious directives that guide the nation’s thousands of Catholic health care institutions and providers.

More than one in seven patients in the U.S. are treated each day at Catholic hospitals, according to the Catholic Health Association. Catholic hospitals are the only medical center in some communities.

Major medical groups and health organizations support gender-affirming care for transgender patients, but most Catholic health care institutions have taken a conservative approach, not offering such care, which may involve hormonal, psychological, and surgical treatments. The new directives will formalize that mandate, allowing bishops autonomy in enforcing these changes in their dioceses.

“With regard to gender ideology, I think it’s very important the church makes a strong statement here,” said Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota’s Winona-Rochester diocese during the public discussion of the revised directives.

The Catholic Health Association expressed gratitude for the bishops listening to their feedback, emphasizing that Catholic providers will continue to treat transgender individuals with dignity and respect consistent with Catholic social teaching.

In a related context, progressive religious voices such as those from various denominations have spoken in favor of supporting transgender rights, emphasizing the dignity and inclusion of all individuals, including those identifying as transgender.

The updated guidelines build on previous Vatican documents addressing gender identity, showcasing the divergent views within the Catholic community over transgender healthcare.

As the bishops addressed these issues, they also released a statement on immigration, highlighting their concern for vulnerable populations affected by U.S. policy, showing a broader commitment to social issues alongside matters of health care.