"A transsexual, who had also undergone hormone treatment and sex reassignment surgery, can receive baptism, under the same conditions as other faithful, if there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating public scandal or disorientation among the faithful. In the case of children or adolescents with issues of a transsexual nature, if well prepared and willing, they can receive baptism". This is what the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith ruled in response to questions - which arrived last July 14 - through a letter from Monsignor José Negri, Bishop of Santo Amaro in Brazil, with some questions regarding the possible participation in the sacraments of baptism and marriage by transgender and homoaffective persons. The response letter is countersigned by the Pope. Another question asked whether a transgender person can be a witness in a marriage. "There is nothing in current universal canon law that prohibits a transgender person from being a witness to a marriage," was the response from the former Holy Office.