Vatican Statement on Gender Theory in Education: Creating Competing Interests in Catholic Schools

• Published in: Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 150 - 164
• Main Author: Sellers, Kathleen M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Accreditation (Institutions); Case Studies; Catholic Educators; Catholic Schools; Catholics; Churches; Communities of Practice; Curriculum Development; Ethics; Family Relationship; Gender Differences; Gender Issues; Institutional Mission; Instructional Leadership; Interdisciplinary Approach; LGBTQ People; Mentors; Philosophy; Religious Education; Scientific Research; Secondary School Teachers; Sexual Identity; Systems Approach; ecological systems theory; school counselors; communities of practice; gay-straight alliances; Catholic schools; ethical leadership; gender theory
• ISSN: 1555-4589; 1555-4589
• DOI: 10.1177/15554589231164065

In June 2019, the Vatican published its first-ever document on gender theory. This document was directed at Catholic educational institutions and draws on theology and philosophy, while excluding science on gender identity and testimonies from transgender people, to suggest gender theory is an ideology endangering the family. The case of Jane, a practicing Catholic and teacher–leader in a Catholic secondary school, contributing to cross-disciplinary curriculum development, school accreditation, and student mentorship, is used to anticipate problems of practice which may emerge as this document’s guidance is applied at the school level. Ecological systems theory and communities of practice theory are used to analyze this case.