Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana has recently announced a significant change in its admissions policy, stating that it will consider allowing biological males who identify as women to attend the university. The decision was communicated by President Katie Conboy in an email to the faculty, according to the Notre Dame student newspaper, The Observer. The email stated that Saint Mary's College will now consider undergraduate applicants who were assigned female at birth or those who consistently live and identify as women.

The policy change, which is set to take effect in the fall of 2024, is still being worked out in terms of its implementation. However, the admissions process will now include the consideration of transgender applicants. President Conboy has been proactive in addressing related issues, having previously formed a "President's Task Force for Gender Identity and Expression." This task force is responsible for developing recommendations regarding housing, as well as potential educational initiatives concerning both Catholic and women's college identities.

To support the policy change, President Conboy referenced a quote from Pope Francis, emphasizing the importance of love and acceptance for those who are different from ourselves. The email reportedly stated, "Love, then, is more than just a series of benevolent actions. Those actions have their source in a union increasingly directed towards others, considering them of value, worthy, pleasing, and beautiful apart from their physical or moral appearances. Our love for others, for who they are, moves us to seek the best for their lives." This quote highlights the Catholic Church's emphasis on love and compassion towards all individuals.

However, it is worth noting that Pope Francis has expressed reservations about what he refers to as "gender ideology." In an interview with journalist Elisabetta Pique for the Argentine daily newspaper La Naci??n, Pope Francis described it as one of the most dangerous ideological colonizations of our time. He argued that gender ideology undermines the recognition of the inherent differences and value between men and women. The Pope also made a distinction between caring for individuals with different sexual orientations and endorsing the ideology behind gender identity.

Not everyone within the Saint Mary's College community has welcomed the policy change. Current students and some alumni have voiced their concerns and disappointment. One student, Claire Bettag, expressed her dissatisfaction with the decision, stating, "St. Mary's College is no longer Catholic. It is no longer a women's institution. This is fraudulent misrepresentation at best." Bettag called for legal action, suggesting that a class-action lawsuit be filed against the college, claiming it had abandoned its faith and betrayed women by potentially forcing them to share living quarters with men.

Similarly, several alumni have taken to social media to criticize the college's decision. Clare Anne Ath described it as blasphemous and a rejection of Church teachings on gender and sexuality. Shannon Pahls, an education reform activist and alumna, expressed her disappointment, stating, "I chose Saint Mary's because of its mission to serve as a Catholic women's college. This decision is a complete abandonment of that." Shannon Pahls also hoped that other alumnae would join in speaking out against the policy and withholding donations.

It is worth noting that Saint Mary's College has faced opposition from social conservatives in the past regarding transgender issues. The college reportedly denied the foundation of a Turning Point USA chapter due to the conservative group's messaging on biological sex not aligning with the mission of the Catholic institution.

The decision by Saint Mary's College to consider allowing biological males who identify as women to attend the university has sparked a passionate debate within the college community and among its alumni. While some argue that the policy shift aligns with the principles of love and acceptance promoted by Pope Francis, others view it as a rejection of Church teachings and an abandonment of the college's Catholic and women's college identities.