Bishops Robert E. Barron and David M. O’Connell have expressed their disappointment following the U.S. Senate's failure to advance the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025. The legislation, which had previously passed the House in January, aims to prevent male students from participating in sports programs designated for women and girls under Title IX.

"The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act is commonsense legislation that would ensure fairness for female athletes," said Bishops Barron and O’Connell. They emphasized that the Catholic Church advocates for "the equal dignity of men and women" and that this legislation would provide a fair playing field for female athletes.

The bishops criticized what they described as an "ideological promotion of personal identity, detached from biological reality," arguing it undermines human dignity and the educational role of sports. They reiterated their support for the Act, encouraging female student-athletes to continue striving for fairness in competitions.

Bishop Barron chairs the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth, while Bishop O’Connell leads the USCCB’s Committee on Catholic Education. They have urged further Senate consideration of the Act through a letter of support available on the USCCB website.

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