Altar girls - how to raise issue with priest

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SianTeresa

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I could use some advice on how to raise an issue diplomatically with my Priest. We now have a female altar server at the Sunday evening Mass. I am under the impression that this is an illicit practice and that it is not authorised by the Church. I have read the information given on CAF about the issue and have reached this conclusion, but please correct me if I am in error. The thing is, I am not “hot” on these issues: I consider it my obligation to be as well informed as I can be but I am just a member of the laity and cannot speak with much authority on the issue. I would like to arm myself with the facts and raise the issue with the Priest, however, because I do not think that anyone else will do so.

I’d like some tips on how to go about it. My plans were to a) do my research, b) be diplomatic and Christlike in raising the issue. But I think that in response to whatever I say I may be told that “such and such a document says this” or that “the Bishop allowed it”. He is usually faithful to the doctrines, ordinances and traditions of the Church so I feel a bit out of my depth raising the issue. Is it possible that the practice is, in fact, licit, and I am letting my personal views get in the way of Truth? Just wanting to check with you guys that I am in the right here.

I am seeking clarity but not polemic. Thank you in anticipation of your response.

Yours,
Sian
 
Female altar servers are allowed. It’s up to the bishop to decide for his diocese and if he allows them it’s up to the pastor to decide for his parish.

Redemptionis Sacramentum says:
[47.] It is altogether laudable to maintain the noble custom by which boys or youths, customarily termed servers, provide service of the altar after the manner of acolytes, and receive catechesis regarding their function in accordance with their power of comprehension.[119] Nor should it be forgotten that a great number of sacred ministers over the course of the centuries have come from among boys such as these.[120] Associations for them, including also the participation and assistance of their parents, should be established or promoted, and in such a way greater pastoral care will be provided for the ministers. Whenever such associations are international in nature, it pertains to the competence of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments to establish them or to approve and revise their statutes.[121] Girls or women may also be admitted to this service of the altar, at the discretion of the diocesan Bishop and in observance of the established norms.122]
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Female altar servers are permitted at the discretion of the pastor and celebrating priest. The pastor has the right to not use females, and so does the celebrant, but they also have the right to use them.

I don’t think it’s a good idea, but your pastor is not violating any rules. Many parishes now use female severs.

God Bless
 
SianTeresa said:
I could use some advice on how to raise an issue diplomatically with my Priest. We now have a female altar server at the Sunday evening Mass. I am under the impression that this is an illicit practice and that it is not authorised by the Church. I have read the information given on CAF about the issue and have reached this conclusion, but please correct me if I am in error. The thing is, I am not “hot” on these issues: I consider it my obligation to be as well informed as I can be but I am just a member of the laity and cannot speak with much authority on the issue. I would like to arm myself with the facts and raise the issue with the Priest, however, because I do not think that anyone else will do so.

I’d like some tips on how to go about it. My plans were to a) do my research, b) be diplomatic and Christlike in raising the issue. But I think that in response to whatever I say I may be told that “such and such a document says this” or that “the Bishop allowed it”. He is usually faithful to the doctrines, ordinances and traditions of the Church so I feel a bit out of my depth raising the issue. Is it possible that the practice is, in fact, licit, and I am letting my personal views get in the way of Truth? Just wanting to check with you guys that I am in the right here.

I am seeking clarity but not polemic. Thank you in anticipation of your response.

Yours,
Sian
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As others have said, female altar servers are allowed and have been for many years. You find them in most parishes across the US. While some dioceses and parishes do not have them, they are in the minority. I support the practice and hope it continues for many years as the girls doing it grow spiritually in so many ways. 👍 :cool:
 
Ok. That’s fine. I wanted to check. I am not going to raise the issue if the matter is simply a personal viewpoint - as always I go with the Church.
 
** I am under the impression that this is an illicit practice and that it is not authorised by the Church.**

Your impression is mistaken.
 
I can confirm that it is a general practice in the UK as well. Our cathedral in Liverpool uses them, so it must be approved by our archbishop, for instance.
Good job you checked before raising it with the priest!
 
It is fine - I don’t need tact, I need clarity. It is a great kindness to point out to me when I am wrong. I needed truth and you presented it to me, so thank you. Although a little more tact would only have increased the kindness of your act.
 
SianTeresa said:
It is fine - I don’t need tact, I need clarity. It is a great kindness to point out to me when I am wrong. I needed truth and you presented it to me, so thank you. Although a little more tact would only have increased the kindness of your act.
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No, no. It was unacceptable. CAF is known around the Internet for having a hostile circle of regulars.
 
SianTeresa said:
It is fine - I don’t need tact, I need clarity. It is a great kindness to point out to me when I am wrong. I needed truth and you presented it to me, so thank you. Although a little more tact would only have increased the kindness of your act.
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Hi Sian–you might be interested in some additional threads on this subject. The topic has come up quite a bit, with a lot of varying opinions–but the threads are always informative…and if nothing else, lively.😃 I hope you choose to check them out…just wanted to share that with you…God bless:)
 
** Originally Posted by bpbasilphx View Post
** I am under the impression that this is an illicit practice and that it is not authorised by the Church.**

Your impression is mistaken.
Could you have used less tact here?**

Easily. May I send you a private message to illustrate?
 
As others have pointed out, they are now allowed, but not required, in the OF. The most one could do is try to convince the priest not to use that option. As whatevergirl pointed out, there are plenty of other threads with information about this topic.
 
Unless the priest is allowing it despite the pastor or bishop forbidding it. The Diocese of Lincoln, NE is the only diocese in the US that still forbids altar girls, but it is up to the pastors in other dioceses. (Answering a question that wasn’t asked, a vicar can refuse to let an altar girl serve at his Mass, even if the bishop and pastor allow it.)
 
porthos11 said:
I don’t like it, but it’s permitted at the Bishop’s discretion, so it’s something I can’t complain about.
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Why can’t you complain about it? If you think it is wrong and have some good reasons why, complain away.

I keep telling our sacristan, when he asks my wife to be an altar server, that I don’t think women should server at the altar.
 
ICXCNIKA said:
Why can’t you complain about it? If you think it is wrong and have some good reasons why, complain away.

I keep telling our sacristan, when he asks my wife to be an altar server, that I don’t think women should server at the altar.
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Because it’s not a matter of right or wrong, merely preferences, and this is something Rome has given the Bishops power over. I hate it really, but I won’t complain to my Bishop over something he has authority over.
 
porthos11 said:
Because it’s not a matter of right or wrong, merely preferences, and this is something Rome has given the Bishops power over. I hate it really, but I won’t complain to my Bishop over something he has authority over.
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I wonder, though, if enough people in your diocese feel the same way, what might happen if you all approached the Bishop with your well reasoned concerns. Might he change his mind?
 
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