Christian Matson, a Catholic diocesan hermit in Kentucky, came out publicly as transgender this month during the Christian holiday of Pentecost.

“I was seeing young trans people take their own lives because they felt rejected by their communities, including their religious communities,” Matson said. “I could no longer sit in the safety of being stealth and not raise my voice to say, ‘This is wrong.’”

Matson and one canon lawyer believe he is the first openly trans person in his position in the church. Based on his appearance and behavior, Matson describes himself as “passing” for a cisgender man, which he considers a privilege. No one knew he was trans unless he told them. While seeking a vocational role in the Catholic Church, he was open about his gender transition with various spiritual directors and religious communities in hopes that they would accept him.

“From a child, I wanted to be a ‘knight for Christ,’ going around doing good,” he said. In his mid-20s, he said, he felt a call to Catholic religious life during a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. By that point, he had already transitioned four years prior.

Matson consulted with a canon lawyer, someone who specializes in Catholic law, and reached out to multiple religious communities for over a decade hoping one would accept him. He said these conversations went one of two ways: They would either immediately say no or approach a superior, which also resulted in a no.

“They would say something along the lines of, ‘It’s clear you have a vocation, but our community is just not ready to grapple with the complexity of this situation,’” Matson said. Another reason they gave was a Vatican-issued instruction from 2000 that said trans people could not enter religious life due to “mental instability.”

Matson, 39, said he did not feel this instruction applied to him because he, like many trans people, feels healthier since transitioning.

“It was difficult to have one’s hopes raised and then shattered over and over for years,” he said. “But I had confidence that if I just kept knocking, a door would open somewhere.”

In 2020, that door was opened by the Rev. John Stowe, the third bishop of the Diocese of Lexington in Kentucky.

“I felt immense relief and gratitude,” Matson said. It was through the approval of Stowe that Matson was able to profess himself to religious life as a diocesan hermit.

Though rare, diocesan hermits are part of a Catholic vocation that involves a life of solitude under the direction of a spiritual director. Their role is hard to define because it can vary depending on the diocese, but traditionally, they take a vow of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Matson said he writes and prays in the mornings, attends Mass daily, and cultivates “an ongoing relationship and ‘being’ with God throughout the day.” To support himself financially, he works at a theater in the afternoon.

The Diocese of Lexington released a statement on May 21 regarding Matson’s public coming out two days before.

“Brother Christian has long sought to consecrate his life to Christ in the Church by living the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience,” the diocese said. “He does not seek ordination but has professed a rule of life that allows him to support himself financially by continuing his work in the arts and to live a life of contemplation in a private hermitage. Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., accepted his profession and is grateful to Brother Christian for his witness of discipleship, integrity, and contemplative prayer for the Church.”

Daniel Quinan, a canon lawyer for almost 10 years who publishes research on the intersection of canon law and LGBTQ issues, said the statement from the diocese was “a bold statement of support for transgender Catholics.”

He said that it is too soon to know what impact Matson’s coming out will have on the church, but that “success” will be measured in how well the theological and pastoral elements are upheld by the diocese.

“In my own view, the praiseworthy elements are strong and can be well defended, yet I also recognize the legitimate concerns of those who would disagree for various reasons,” Quinan said.

Because Catholic law holds no concept of “gender,” Quinan said there are no vocational paths that are off-limits for being transgender. However, an important distinction is made in how the church defines “man,” which in Catholic law is strictly tied to assigned biological sex.

“Matson appears to have found a potential pathway to threading that needle,” Quinan said. “By discerning a rare, individual vocational path that is canonically open to both biological sexes, and simultaneously committed to a radical form of celibacy.”

Quinan said he is not aware of any other openly trans people who hold a profession in the Catholic Church and suspects Matson is the first. His decision to make his transition public comes at a time when the Catholic Church has been under scrutiny for recent decisions regarding LGBTQ people.

In April, the Vatican released a 20-page document that declared gender-affirming surgery a violation of human dignity. Pope Francis also sparked controversy in December when he updated Vatican policy to allow for priests to bless same-sex couples, a historic change that received mixed responses from inside the church.

Since coming out, Matson said he has received strong negative reactions online and especially on the social media platform X. But the people closest to him, most of whom didn’t know he was trans, have all reached out in support.

Many of the negative responses have framed Matson as opposing the church or trying to infiltrate it with his “agenda,” but he said these claims are false.

“My only agenda is the Gospel,” Matson said. “I believe, both from my own experience and from the scientific evidence, that it is possible for a person to have an innate gender identity that does not match their other markers of sex.”

He added: “This is not a question of ideology. It is a simple disagreement as to what the facts are about the complexity of the human person.”

Matson's coming out has opened a broader discussion on the role of transgender individuals within religious contexts, especially within the Catholic Church, which has traditionally held conservative views on gender and sexuality. His story highlights the intersection of faith and identity, challenging longstanding norms and encouraging a reevaluation of inclusivity in religious communities.

The public support from the Diocese of Lexington and Bishop Stowe signifies a potential shift in the church's approach to LGBTQ issues, though it is likely to face opposition from more traditional factions within the church. Matson's journey also underscores the importance of resilience and perseverance in the face of systemic barriers and personal challenges.

As Matson continues his life as a diocesan hermit, his experience will likely inspire and empower other transgender individuals seeking acceptance and fulfillment within their religious faith. His story serves as a testament to the evolving understanding of gender identity and the ongoing struggle for acceptance and equality in all spheres of life.

Moreover, Matson's journey demonstrates the potential for progress within religious institutions that have historically been slow to embrace change regarding gender and sexuality issues. His story could pave the way for greater acceptance and inclusion of transgender individuals in religious roles, potentially influencing other religious communities to reconsider their positions on LGBTQ matters.

Matson's decision to come out publicly as transgender during Pentecost—a time symbolizing transformation and renewal in the Christian faith—adds a profound layer to his narrative. It symbolizes a personal and spiritual rebirth, aligning with the themes of the holiday and underscoring the importance of authenticity and truth in one's spiritual journey.

As Matson's story gains attention, it has the potential to foster dialogue and understanding among both religious and secular communities. His experience challenges misconceptions and prejudices, offering a powerful example of faith and identity coexisting harmoniously. Through his courage and commitment to his faith, Matson is not only advocating for himself but also for countless others who may feel marginalized or misunderstood within their religious communities.