<p>December 18 2017</p> <p>Dear Monsignor Bransfield</p> <p>I am writing to strongly urge that you immediately&nbsp; remove the recently posted Created Male and Female letter regarding transgender children from the USCCB website and issue a statement clarifying that this letter does not represent an official position of the USCCB. This letter signed by only four (4) US Roman Catholic bishops is a dangerous and gravely harmful document that serves only to increase the risk of severe harm to children with transgender and nonbinary gender identities and to add unnecessary stress to the families raising and supporting these precious children.</p> <p>The letter contains information that is disproved by modern medical and social sciences and addresses gender identity as a moral issue. It also presumes that the signers of the letter know the mind of our Loving Creator better than others--an arrogance that causes tremendous division. If followed it will only serve to distance more children and families from our Church--families who need and deserve the recognition that their children are also created in the Divine image and actually teach us something about God's unimaginable creativity and love.</p> <p>We strongly believe that the letter does not reflect the true intent of the vast majority of USCCB members seeking to shepherd their people with gentleness and compassion. Therefore it should not be receiving the validation of appearing on the USCCB website.</p> <p>Thank you for your attention. I look forward to a positive response.</p> <p>Wishing you a hope-filled remainder of Advent and a joyous Christmas season</p> <p>Marianne Duddy-Burke&nbsp;Executive Director DignityUSA</p>