‘God is Trans’ exhibit at ‘very liberal’ NYC Catholic Church raises eyebrows for take on gender identity
A new exhibit at a “very liberal” Manhattan church is raising some eyebrows for its religious take on gender identity.
The “God is Trans: A Queer Spiritual Journey” display at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle has some parishioners scratching their heads — and seems to run counter to the Catholic Church’s stance on the transgender community.
“The church should not be promoting this,” one irate parishioner told The Post. “I understand there are transgender people. I pray for all people but enough is enough.
“It seems like they are trying to force the agenda on others,” they said. “Also, when a friend asked a priest about this they didn’t answer. You can’t put this out on the altar and then hide.
“That’s what gets the church in trouble.”
The display by artist Adah Unachukwu is described as a queer spiritual journey in three steps: Sacrifice, Identity and Communion.
According to the exhibit, Sacrifice represents the need to “shed an old life.” Identity is described as “the most impactful part” of the display, asking the question, ‘What does holiness look like?’
Communion places “God and the mortal on the same plane.”
While some took offense, others saw it as representative of the traditionally liberal Big Apple parish.
“I don’t understand the art, but this church is very liberal, which is why I love this church,” said Cherri Ghosh, 80, who stopped by to admire the exhibit on Sunday.
“They are really in the present when others are not,” she said.
Another admirer said he’s been coming to the church for decades — and liked what he saw.
“The queer community has been accepted here for a long time now,” said Bill O’Connor, 79. “It’s wonderful having this here and a wonderful church.
“This is a place of welcome,” he added. “It’s also a place to question one’s own path.”
A spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York declined to comment on Sunday, saying that he was not aware of the exhibit.
The Vatican believes that gender is assigned at birth and opposes gender reassignment, but concedes that the view of the transgender community can vary from parish to parish.
Unachukwu could not be reached on Sunday.
