Questions to the Moralist - Personal Web Server - Boston College

If you'd like something more on the nature of "conscience" you might look at Chapter 4
of my latest book, "A Morally Complex World," (Liturgical Press, 2004) which tries to
present the notion of conscience more globally (though I do NOT take up sex change
operations in this chapter).
I've looked through my files and notes on transgender articles and the best one I can
come up with is one originally written by one of my own transgendered students as a
course paper some years ago. I looked for a copy of the article, and while I'm still
convinced I have it somewhere, I honestly couldn't put my hands on it, so I can't send it
to you. But you could request a reprint. Here's the citation:
Kolakowski, Victoria S. “Toward a Christian Ethical Response to Transsexual Persons.”
Theology and Sexuality 6 (March 1997): 10-31.
The author is a post-operative transsexual who offers this well-written account of
some of the ethical issues involved in reflecting on the meaning of transsexuality.
Hope this is of some help,
Fr. Jim Bretzke
Received October 4, 2004
Dear Fr. Jim,
First, let me say "Congratulations" on your new post at the university! God's best to you
while there!
Now, for the reason I am writing. Have just read "Theologians discuss criteria for voters
when candidates back abortion" by Jerry Filteau in CNS. The article is of considerable
help and it especially pleased me to read the words through which you were quoted.
As you (know full well), for those of us who see abortion as an evil act, living in a
society wherein abortion is legal is a very difficult matter. However, here is the rub when
taking the "pro-life" stance: We must grapple with the need to protect the dignity and
well-being of women. I struggle in thinking about women who: 1) are poor, and unable to
choose birth control for that very reason, and 2) would not see it as immoral to use
contraceptives if they could have access to them. There is no choice for these women not
to have children, unless they are sterile, which is unthinkable to wish on any woman.
Yes, such woman could carry the child to term and offer it for adoption, but only if her
circumstance allows her to do so. Husbands or other male partners (and fathers) can
make life intolerable for a woman--even harm her and cause the death of her child. And,
this is more common than people realize.
Psychological abuse by itself can destroy a woman's life in such case as she has no "out"
from a marriage or relationship wherein she is endangered. Those of us who are in
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