Female Altar Servers

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It doesn’t matter what the gender, if people are willing to serve God, then let them do it in whatever way pleases them. Not allowing females alter serve or be preists is racism in religion! So we are all equal with God’s love, yet only males can serve God? If you said yes, then you a bigot and a racist. What would God think, turning people down from the service of Holy Orders? The only reason that tradition started was because women didn’t have any rights back then.
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
What comes from Rome IS law. Call it an instruction, call it a guideline, call it an indult. It’s all the same: the final word on what is allowed or not allowed.

Now, you yearn for the “WHY”. And that’s ok. But when you do not get it, you have to simply submit to the fact that there will not be a “why”, and leave it at that.

As for leaving the discretion up to the individual bishops of the dioceses of the world, that will always be done on these such matters. It’s kind of like the Church’s version of “state’s rights”. The Church will always give the most authority to individual bishops to determine what is best for their diocese.
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No. The Church has laws, as codified in the Code of Canon Law. It also has teachings, instructions, etc. – each different and not interchangible.

Not explaining this change (which was sure to upset and confuse people) was an example of very poor leadership. It is these types of practical matters that erode people’s faith in the Church and that’s terribly sad. It’s also unnecessary and it also emboldens those who feel they can change the Church via force or disregard.

I really don’t know the reason(s) for the change – I’m not sure many do, but it’s sad to see people wailing away at those they feel provoked the change when in reality they may have well had nothing to do with it.
 
scylla said:
…The reasons behind the actions are what is wrong and what is right or more faithful should be promoted.

Is it preferable to only have boys serve, the Church says yes…

God Bless
Scylla
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You do not know the reason(s) the Church now allows female altar servers. If there is indeed a Church document that explains the reason for the change, please let me know as I would like to read it.

Also, the Church does not say it is “preferable to only have boys serve.” Read the language…
 
blacktiger057 said:
It doesn’t matter what the gender, if people are willing to serve God, then let them do it in whatever way pleases them.
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That is is a very good idea. I know of a few people that would love to kill me because they think that God would get them in heaven with 72 virgins just for doing that.
blacktiger057 said:
Not allowing females alter serve or be preists is racism in religion!
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Gender not race. Big difference
blacktiger057 said:
So we are all equal with God’s love, yet only males can serve God?
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The Catholic Church says that ALL human beings must serve the Lord.
blacktiger057 said:
What would God think, turning people down from the service of Holy Orders?
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After reading His instructions to Peter, I assume that He would be pleased that the Church follows His instructions when it comes to holy orders.
 
Yes said:
No. The Church has laws, as codified in the Code of Canon Law. It also has teachings, instructions, etc. – each different and not interchangible.
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Quibble on semantics if you wish; The point is what the Church says is the final word.
 
THurifer2 said:
First to say sorry here. I have done so as well “behind the scenes”.

I feel really bad for making comments about anamchara’s daughters server garb. A lesson learned. I have a hunch those young ladys are going to be model Catholics.
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Thank you TH, we are very proud of her. 🙂 This is sweet and kind post.
 
Brendan said:
And once again, I’ll repeat my challenge.

Does anyone have an example of such a priest at a parish that has altar girls and 4 or more men in the seminary.

I can think of 3 priests in Detroit that have that, but they also have strictly altar boys only.

None of the other 280 priests in the Archdiocese have been able to match what these 3 have done in their ‘all male server’ parishes.

Any thoughts as to Why?
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I admit that I’m coming in a bit late to this conversation so I want to make sure I understand you: are you suggesting that the exclusion of female altar servers would cause more boys to seek vocations?
 
Strummer said:
I admit that I’m coming in a bit late to this conversation so I want to make sure I understand you: are you suggesting that the exclusion of female altar servers would cause more boys to seek vocations?
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No, my question is exactly was was stated.

Can anyone here provide a link to a parish that has both altar girls and 4 or more seminarians.

Every parish I’ve encountered that has 4 or more seminarians has also been a parish with only male altar servers.

I’m not claiming causality, I’m just investigating if the same parish mindset that results in vocations within a parish, would necessitate or inspire the mindset that discourages the use of altar girls within that parish.

So far, I haven’t had any takers. 😦
 
Brendan said:
I didn’t say that this was a primary reason. I didn’t even imply causality at all.
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Uh, indeed you did, sir:
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Brendan:
But look at the LARGE majority of priests, they got THEIR inspiration from altar service.
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I am relieved to see you recanting that stance now.
Furthermore, I see you looking toward the environmental factors that contribute to encouraging vocations which I believe is the right place to look. I would, at this time, disagree that such an environment necessitates the exclusion of female servers as there is insufficient data. Additionally, it’d be interesting to somehow measure the quality of vocations arising out of different environments. How many lead all the way to ordination? What percentages remain in the priesthood? What kind of works do priests from these different environments succeed at?

I do not mean to impugn in the slightest the quality of Brendan’s church’s young men. Far from it. I’m just wondering what effect different experiences in the vast world of Catholicism have on the kind of priests that arise out of them.
 
Whenever I have read a vocation story, it is usually said that the influence came from family and the pastor. Never have I seen a comment that one became a priest because they were an altar server. OTOH, I have heard tales from a number of altar servers who are not practicing their faith.

There was something on the PunkPriest thread from a young adult boy who was so deeply influenced by this priest that he BECAME an altar server, lector, and spent time in ministry in the Appalachians, among other things. If our priests were of the caliber of St. John Vianney, or St. John Bosco, etc., we might see many more vocations. But to attribute them solely to having been a male altar server is truly naive at best. (or a bit braggadocious 😛 )

There is another huge factor I haven’t seen under consideration. Couldn’t one expect a greater number of potential vocations from a parish of 5,000 as compared to one of 500? In fairness, shouldn’t the tally be prorated?

Two cents, folks.
 
anamchara said:
Thank you TH, we are very proud of her. 🙂 This is sweet and kind post.
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I am very proud of her too. Thank you for sharing. My daughter has served at our prior church for years…and although I do think that serving on the altar can lead on (perhaps) to religious life…it doesn’t diminish a girl’s worth. God leads everyone to different tasks…should girls turn down such a message? My daughter felt that she was serving God.

I think that if it really were of paramount importance, the Pope would put an end to it. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
Brendan said:
Can anyone here provide a link to a parish that has both altar girls and 4 or more seminarians.

Every parish I’ve encountered that has 4 or more seminarians has also been a parish with only male altar servers.

I’m not claiming causality, I’m just investigating if the same parish mindset that results in vocations within a parish, would necessitate or inspire the mindset that discourages the use of altar girls within that parish.

So far, I haven’t had any takers. 😦
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A fair question. Though to quote Donald Rumsfeld: “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” However, on the other side, can one presume that a single glaring example that contradicted Brendan’s hypothesis would be sufficient to answer this question once and for all?

Let us hope so.

I found this at the USCCB’s website:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville, Tenn., is vocations-friendly. For priests, staff and families there, helping parish youth find their calling is a year-round project.
…
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The young Knoxville Diocese currently has 19 men studying for the diocesan priesthood. They come from parishes of all sizes, including Christ the King Parish in Tazewell, which has just 35 families.
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Sounds like a vibrant, vocation-rich parish & diocese, no? So, the question now is “Do they allow girls to serve at the altar?” Let’s go to their website and look up FAQ sheet on their altar server program. Note the response to Question #2 [emphasis added]:
  1. How does a child sign up to be an altar server?
    Training is usually held on a Saturday morning during the fall and is announced in the Sunday bulletin. Once trained, a child is automatically placed on the schedule unless he **or she **requests not to be.
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Yup, looks like they allow girls to serve.

So, clearly we have a parish with female altar servers which also is discerning a large number of vocations. Let’s hope we can put that particular argument to rest now.
 
As silly as this may sound here is the deal…I have written the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Dicipline of the Sacraments on this very issue at the urging of a cleric friend.

I have found that perhaps the use of Female altar servers is likely an abuse is contrary to Vatican wishes.

…How about everyone weigh in her as to what their opinion would be if Benedict 16 issued a decree forbidding Female Altar Servers…I have a hunch that B16 is not a fan of female altar servers.

Also what is everyones opinion on Alice Von hildebrands disdain for Girl Altar boys.?
 
THurifer2 said:
As silly as this may sound here is the deal…I have written the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Dicipline of the Sacraments on this very issue at the urging of a cleric friend.

I have found that perhaps the use of Female altar servers is likely an abuse is contrary to Vatican wishes.

…How about everyone weigh in her as to what their opinion would be if Benedict 16 issued a decree forbidding Female Altar Servers…I have a hunch that B16 is not a fan of female altar servers.

Also what is everyones opinion on Alice Von hildebrands disdain for Girl Altar boys.?
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Does this mean you received any response yet? If so, what exactly did they say?
 
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