The Vatican has dismissed modern gender theory in a new teaching guide called "Male and Female He Created Them", aimed at helping Catholic school teachers challenge concepts, which "deny the natural difference between a man and a woman".

"It is becoming increasingly clear that we are now facing with what might accurately be called an educational crisis, especially in the field of affectivity and sexuality," the paper, drawn-up by the Roman Church's education ministry, states.

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It added that the current gender theory can "annihilate the concept of nature" and destabilise the family institution.

The Catholic Church "denies the difference and reciprocity in nature of a man and a woman and envisages a society without sexual differences, thereby eliminating the anthropological basis of the family", it said.

Dialogue needed

The Church is trying to promote "dialogue on the question of gender in education", Milan's Gonzague Institute professor Roberto Zappala said in a statement.

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Gender theory "seeks to impose a single school of thought", which determines the education of children, said Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, of the Congregation for Catholic doctrine.

The theory "leads to educational programs and legislative orientations that promote a personal identity and emotional intimacy separated from the biological difference between male and female," Cardinal Versaldi said.

The document, which supports the role of mother and father in a traditional family, outlines "the Christian vision of anthropology (which) sees sexuality as a fundamental component of one’s personhood."

"It is from [their] sex that the human person receives the characteristics which, on the biological, psychological and spiritual levels, make that person a man or a woman."

The document is to be distributed internationally across the Catholic educational system.

Criticism

The document has caused some controversy on social media.

A US-based Jesuit priest, Reverend James Martin tweeted while the paper calls for "dialogue" and "listening", it "sets aside the real-life experience of LGBT people"

The Reverend is worried that it will be "used as a cudgel against transgender people, and an excuse to argue that they shouldn't even exist."

Breaking: Vatican document takes aim at "gender theory." It rightly calls for "dialogue" and "listening," but sets aside the real-life experiences of LGBT people. Sadly, it will be used as a cudgel against transgender people, and an excuse to argue that they shouldn't even exist. https://t.co/UMAIKitD9w — James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) June 10, 2019

A US-based advocacy group for LGBTIQ+ Catholics, the New Ways Ministry, also questioned the document, saying the Vatican remains in the Dark Ages.

"The only truth that the document reveals is that the Vatican remains ill-equipped to discuss gender and sexuality in the modern world," the group said in a statement.