National Catholic Reporter Op-Ed on Transgender Saints Sparks Controversy

The National Catholic Reporter recently published an opinion piece by religious scholar Emma Cieslik that encourages readers to observe Transgender History Month by praying to historical figures she identifies as transgender saints. Cieslik argues that the experiences of modern transgender individuals mirror the persecution faced by medieval saints, framing their presence within the Catholic Church as a form of contemporary martyrdom.

To support her claims, Cieslik cites the 2021 academic collection Trans and Genderqueer Subjects in Medieval Hagiography. The book explores non-binary interpretations of historical figures and religious imagery, including a chapter that discusses medieval depictions of Christ’s wounds. Critics have pushed back against the article, disputing the author's characterization of historical figures who adopted masculine roles for monastic or safety reasons as transgender. The publication of the piece has prompted significant backlash from readers and commentators who reject the application of modern gender identity labels to historical Catholic saints.