In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Francis Etheredge on his book Transgenderism: A Question of Identity (September 9, 2025)
We live in difficult times as there are enormous advantages to the internet and, at the same time, profound problems with its use. Is it a distorting mirror or is a true reflection of who we are? On the one hand world class scholarship, news, philosophy and documents of the Catholic Church are available as we type and touch a button. And, indeed, we are encouraged to be ‘media literate’, critical, thoughtful, capable, not just of debate but of seeking the truth. On the other hand, however, if a person is vulnerable owing to his or her time of life, sufferings, just beginning to read and to think, but not really grounded in philosophy, formed in a faith-community, or generally aware of what kind of ideas are abroad, their sources and their purpose, then the wrong keys can be jammed into the questions about “who and what I am”.
This book, then, begins with a survey of some of the difficulties of our time, ranging from how we can lose a connection with each other, can isolate and “stay in”, die alone, or commit suicide. There are many cross-currents in our society, most of which are like tidal waves, involving so many types of suffering: the tragic statistics of marital breakdown, runaway children, the chemicalization of our bodies through drugs, contraception, and the taking of human life through abortion, whether by pill or by operation. Thus for there to be one more suggestion that the answer to our disorientation about our sexuality is just another set of drugs or operations is all too easy to believe. And, as the book progresses, we see that there is amidst this maelstrom of difficulties a black hole which is dangerous, directing us into dark places. Thus, given the power of the long-term anti-population strategies, it is possible to be on the receiving end of those who, while claiming to help, are advancing enclosed groups, estranging us from others, using unusual words, making us look at a distorting mirror and believe that we are misshapen. In order, however, to help young people to see the good of man and woman, we have to look afresh at all that could cloud or clear our vision. Given the providence of God, there are many signs of the presence of the truth in our lives, our families, our culture so that, as Pope Francis says, there is a hope that will not disappoint – but we have to be willing to see that we need help and the help we need is the truth about ourselves, what exists, and the God who loved us into existence and has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us and to bring us into His Church.
Unless, then, there is a restoration of our relationship to reality, to evidence, to truth and to God, there is little hope for the restoration of our relationships to each other. Let us, therefore, be willing to re-explore the fullness of human being and life that our Savior, Jesus Christ, seeks for all of us: “I come to give you life and life to the full” (Jn. 10: 10).
Transgenderism: A Question of Identity by Francis Etheredge | En Route Books and Media