Could anyone ever imagine a time that the Catholic Church, who prides itself on its rich tradition and excludes women from the priesthood and prohibits priests, bishops and popes from marrying, would embrace the transgender lifestyle and become an “inclusive” body? Believe it or not, that is exactly what is happening. “Tens of thousands of Catholics descend on Los Angeles each winter to sharpen their ministry skills, partaking in dozens of workshops and seminars about liturgy, prayer, Bible, and parish life as part of the LA Religious Education Congress. With close to 40,000 participants, it’s the largest annual gathering of Catholics in North America, a celebration of all things Catholic…But event organizers this year took a cue from popular culture and included a new session, one that attracted a standing room only crowd of 750 people, nearly all of whom jumped to their feet for a sustained round of applause after talks from two young, committed [transgender] Catholics. The name of the session? ‘Transgender in the Church: One Bread, One Body.’”1
One of the speakers, Mateo Williamson, invoked Pope Francis and the year of mercy by stating “Pope Francis’ charity, compassion, and call to mercy, it’s changed the tone in the Church.”2
It is interesting that the speaker used the phrase “change in tone;” it is reminiscent of prophetic statement:
“The pacific tone of Rome in the United States does not imply a change of heart. She is tolerant where she is helpless.”3
“Popery is just what prophecy declared that she would be, the apostasy of the latter times. [2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.] It is a part of her policy to assume the character which will best accomplish her purpose; but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon, she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent.”4
It is evident that the Catholic Church is trying to redefine itself to accomplish her ends; and to do this the church endeavors to erase the past and no longer be characterized by her history of intolerance considered a threat to liberty. The acceptance of the transgender community by the Catholic Church has the self-serving motive of garnering allegiance and homage at the very root of her seemingly softening tone. Thus having the full support of the “marginalized,” largely irreligious groups, in addition to the reverence bestowed upon her by Catholics, evangelicals, Jews, Muslims, and other religious groups, it will be all the more easy for the Catholic Church, under the Pope, to assert itself as an absolute authority in social matters, politics and religion—hence the union of church and state and the subsequent enforcement of a National Sunday Law and a resurgence of her former persecutions for dissidents.
“A large class, even of those who look upon Romanism with no favor, apprehend little danger from her power and influence. Many urge that the intellectual and moral darkness prevailing during the Middle Ages favored the spread of her dogmas, superstitions, and oppression, and that the greater intelligence of modern times, the general diffusion of knowledge, and the increasing liberality in matters of religion, forbid a revival of intolerance and tyranny. The very thought that such a state of things will exist in this enlightened age is ridiculed. It is true that great light, intellectual, moral, and religious, is shining upon this generation. In the open pages of God’s holy Word, light from Heaven has been shed upon the world. But it should be remembered that the greater the light bestowed, the greater the darkness of those who pervert or reject it.”5
Sources
1. http://www.cruxnow.com/life/2016/03/07/transgender-catholics-hope-to-build-bridges-in-the-church/
2. Ibid
3. White, Ellen. The Great Controversy (1911), page 565
4. White, Ellen. The Great Controversy (1911), page 571
5. White, Ellen. The Great Controversy (1911), page 572
