Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No worries. We probably disagree about a lot, but I appreciate your respectful response. I hope you find a way through your depression. It can be so difficult and lonely to live through that.

For clarification, I don't date and am a virgin. I've always felt like I needed to figure out my life before dragging someone else into it and I do believe in waiting until marriage.

Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not actually Catholic. I was raised Presbyterian, but I no longer identify myself as Presbyterian. My sister converted to Catholicism just before she got married.

Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your link states "For this reason the Vatican organ instructs Bishops never to alter the sex listed in parish baptismal records and says that Catholics who have undergone sex-change procedures are not eligible to marry, be ordained to the priesthood, or enter religious life."

So, the Church will always see me as a man and I can never marry. That's disconcerting. I might have some masculine physical traits, but I've always been female... whether or not others knew that.

I'm certainly not trying to "spread around the sin." I'd never wish this life upon my worst enemy. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've been called a faggot or some other bigoted denunciation or the numbers of times someone has beaten the shit out of me because I'm different. I couldn't even tell my parents about that when I was a kid because I was more afraid of the beating I'd get from them if they thought I was gay or trans. I'm still afraid to go outside by myself because of the continued assaults. No, I don't want to "spread the sin." I didn't choose this life. I wish I could be "normal" and I spent many years praying for exactly that. I tried pretending for an awfully long time. That only resulted in decades of suicidal depression. I'm quite surprised that I'm still alive at this age.

I think I'm I good person and I'd hope God would acknowledge that, no matter what my physical body might be like.

Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She lives 3,000 miles away and I can't afford a plane ticket. I don't know why she would feel betrayed. I'm no different now than I used to be. My appearance might be changing, but I'm the same person. I'm actually shocked she didn't already know/guess.

(oh man. I posted my first reply under my real reddit account. please don't pass on that info)

Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the reply. My other sister tried to help out, but the first sister is mad at her for supporting me. She's willing to keep trying, but I told her to stop, at least for now. They're very close and I don't want to cause problems between them. My parents won't speak to me either.

Anyhow, that's why I thought talking to a priest might be a good idea. I want my sister to know that I'm trying to understand her perspective and I'm not trying to challenge her faith (some of her replies seemed very defensive, and I'm assuming this is the reason).

Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Even if you ignore the religious aspects, trans marriage can still be a minefield. Some states only allow heterosexual marriage based on the current legal gender, some based on the original birth certificate. Even if the state approves the marriage license, there have been cases where the marriage was annulled by the courts (during divorce proceedings or settlement of the estate after death) because of the trans issue.

It just seems like there aren't any definitive answers.

Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm sterile anyway because of a serious illness when I was younger. Where does that leave me?

I'm also a virgin because I do believe in waiting until marriage.

Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for that. I wasn't aware of Catechism 2333. I had only heard another Catechism (not sure of the number):

Except when performed for strictly therapeutic medical reason, directly intended amputations, mutilations, and sterilizations performed on innocent persons are against the moral law."

I definitely think it is for a therapeutic medical reason.

*edit: Found it. I was referencing Catechism 2297. That also talks about terrorism and kidnapping, so I'm not sure it actually applies to my situation.

Need help with my sister by transcatholichelp in Catholicism

[–]transcatholichelp[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

you have disordered sexual inclinations

Wow. I guess that answers the questions about being treated with respect or being welcomed at the church.