Basingstoke Transgender priest leaves Catholic church to become a woman

‘I’ve still got God’s support’: Transgender priest, 37, leaves the Catholic church to become a woman after six years of secretly struggling with her identity

  • Alisha Cacace knew she was born in the wrong body from a young age 
  • She struggled for six years with her identity until hormone therapy last year 
  • 37-year-old from Basingstoke is ‘focusing on being a trans girl’ but still practices

A transgender priest who left the Catholic church to become a woman says she still has the support of God after leaving the clergy.

Alisha Cacace, 37, of Basingstoke, Hampshire, felt like she was in the wrong body for as long as she can remember.

Brought up in a religious family she trained to become a priest at a young age despite battling with her identity.

She struggled for six years before a visit to an LGBT bar made her realise she had to be true to herself and she began to transition.

Ms Cacace, who was born male, has been on hormone replacement therapy for a year and says she has never been happier.

Alisha Cacace is pictured when she was living as a man

Alisha Cacace, 37, (pictured before transition right and after left) of Basingstoke, Hampshire, felt like she was in the wrong body for as long as she can remember

Ms Cacace, 37, of Baskingstoke, is pictured at Holy Ghost church in Basingstoke

Ms Cacace, 37, of Baskingstoke, is pictured at Holy Ghost church in Basingstoke 

She said: ‘Once you face that fear, and do it, you feel a lot better in yourself.

‘The best thing I’ve ever done was change over, I don’t think I could ever kind of go back.’

Ms Cacace felt uncomfortable as she was growing up and confesses to falling into the wrong crowd after problems at home. 

Following a ‘dysfunctional’ upbringing she turned to God and decided to train as a priest.

She was deeply committed to her faith but knew there was something wrong. 

The 37-year-old continued: ‘I knew I was a female trapped in a male’s body from a very young age, I was just pushing it to one side,’ she said.

‘Seeing others happy was great and that really set a spark off in my mind.’ 

The trans woman has held on to her vocation, as she is still attached to her faith and regularly practices the Catholic religion

The trans woman has held on to her vocation, as she is still attached to her faith and regularly practices the Catholic religion

At first, Ms Cacace was terrified of leaving her house in female clothes, but the local trans community in Basingstoke have since given her the all-important support she needed throughout her transition.

She cherishes her past time as a priest and has even held onto the priest robes she used to wear – but she’s quick to admit that she has also completely left that part of her story behind now as she enjoys life with her daughter Abbie. 

She said: ‘I’m kind of out of that frame of mind of being a clergy member and into the frame of mind of being a transgender girl and focusing on the new life.’

But the trans woman has held on to her vocation, as she is still attached to her faith and regularly practices the Catholic religion.

‘I’ve still got God’s support, definitely still have God’s support. I can feel that,’ Ms Cacace added.

‘I’m at that point in my life where this is my life. This is how I want to lead it. Go out and be happy.’

Ms Cace is pictured at home in Basingstoke with her daughter Abbie

Ms Cace is pictured at home in Basingstoke with her daughter Abbie 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk