- Feb 5, 2002
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OSV News) — A Kentucky bishop’s decision to endorse a hermit who publicly identified as transgender has raised a number of questions and concerns — particularly from another diocesan hermit and theologian, who had counseled the bishop in writing nearly two years before that approving the individual as a hermit would “misuse” canon law governing that vocation, and set a precedent that could endanger the future of eremitical life itself.
Sister Laurel M. O’Neal, a systematic theologian, Camaldolese Oblate and professed hermit for the Diocese of Oakland, California, told OSV News she was among those stunned to learn Bishop John E. Stowe of Lexington had received “Brother Christian Matson,” formerly known as Cole Matson, as a hermit — and not only because of Matson’s May 19 public disclosure, made just under a year after profession, of being transgender.
OSV News communicated extensively with both Sister Laurel and Matson over the course of several phone conversations and email exchanges (as well as other experts and those with knowledge of Matson’s vocational pursuit) and is using pronouns referring to Matson as quoted.
Along with writing about eremitical life and its riches on her blog, Sister Laurel has worked with dioceses in discernment and formation for candidates seeking eremitical life, which — although tracing its roots to the third century — was only formally recognized by the universal church’s canon law in 1983.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
Sister Laurel M. O’Neal, a systematic theologian, Camaldolese Oblate and professed hermit for the Diocese of Oakland, California, told OSV News she was among those stunned to learn Bishop John E. Stowe of Lexington had received “Brother Christian Matson,” formerly known as Cole Matson, as a hermit — and not only because of Matson’s May 19 public disclosure, made just under a year after profession, of being transgender.
Potential damage to the vocation of eremitical life
“I don’t think that Cole knows the damage he has done to an authentic and fragile vocation that has been struggling just for 41 years to be understood and to be known by Catholics,” said Sister Laurel, who undertook eremitical life in 1985 and made her perpetual profession in 2007.OSV News communicated extensively with both Sister Laurel and Matson over the course of several phone conversations and email exchanges (as well as other experts and those with knowledge of Matson’s vocational pursuit) and is using pronouns referring to Matson as quoted.
Along with writing about eremitical life and its riches on her blog, Sister Laurel has worked with dioceses in discernment and formation for candidates seeking eremitical life, which — although tracing its roots to the third century — was only formally recognized by the universal church’s canon law in 1983.
Matson’s conversion and love for the creative arts
Continued below.
Diocesan hermit-theologian warned bishop 'transgender hermit' proposal would 'misuse' church law
Sister Laurel M. O'Neal, a systematic theologian, was stunned to learn Bishop John E. Stowe of Lexington had received "Brother Christian Matson," formerly known as Cole Matson.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
