THE VATICAN HAS said that transsexual people are not able to become godparents.

In a response to a Spanish bishop who sought formal clarification on the matter, the church’s hierarchy has made its position clear.

The request was made by Bishop Rafael Zornoza Boy, who resides over the the diocese of Cadiz and Ceuta.

In a statement on his diocese’s website, it is stated by Zornoza Boy that Pope Francis has said on a number of occasions that transsexuals go against the Catholic church’s teaching of what man’s nature is.

Moral standards 

For this reason the Vatican has said that transexual people do not meet the moral requirement to be godparents.

Zornoza Boy said that he asked the question of the Vatican as there had been confusion among his congregation as to what the official teaching is.

The church has specified that its ruling should not be seen as discrimination, but rather an clarification of the requirements to meet the Catholic church’s standard for being a godparent.

Gender Recognition Bill

This follows an announcement by the Tánaiste Joan Burton that she is today signing the commencement order for the Gender Recognition Act 2015.

From next Tuesday, this will allow any transgender person to apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate from the Department of Social Protection and to obtain a new birth certificate that reflects their preferred gender.

Tánaiste Burton has said that the move is, “a hugely significant and historic day for the transgender community, for their families and, indeed, for all of Irish society.”

Read: What do you make of the Pope’s advice to priests on abortion?

Also: Former Archbishop dies before trial for abusing boys