Abstract

How can detransitioners—individuals who stop or reverse their gender transition—enter or return to the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church? This paper uses the Church’s teaching on transgenderism to suggest that detransitioners, even if still medically transitioned, may enter or return to the Church through the sacraments of baptism or reconciliation. However, when receiving Communion, detransitioners must discern alongside a spiri­tual director whether doing so publicly would cause scandal. If so, they should abstain from public reception of the Eucharist until they physically appear as a member of their authentic sex, per the standard established in St. Paul’s 1 Corinthians. This approach offers a path for detransitioners toward integra­tion that empowers them to fully participate in the Church’s sacramental life over time.