Foot Washing Question

[ChurchTorch]

The bottom of the page from the USCCB states “This is the latest statement of this Secretariat on the question. No subsequent legislation or instructions have necessitated a modification in the statement.” Apparently, the USCCB does not consider the later version of PS a reason to change their statement.

Additionally, my bishop uses the same document from the USCCB to allow the washing of the feet of women as well as men. **I have no doubt that he understands what he is and isn’t allow to change **and he clearly is allowing women to have their feet washed. If you have a problem with that, you should discuss it with him. Daniel Cardinal DiNardo. He is my leader and I will follow him.

Peace

Tim

You bring up an important point. DiNardo is a good man. Some seem to believe that their personal interpretation of Church documents prepares them to make some fairly wild judgments as if men like DiNardo were automatically dissenting which is just not the case. They also clearly have no clue where the authority rests in the Church. * A little information can be a dangerous thing.*

 

[ChurchTorch]

Acolyte is a minor order, one is installed to that office by the Bishop.

Those on the way to the Priesthood are installed first as a Lector, next as an Acolyte, next as a Deacon then finally ordained as a Priest.

Not so. The minor orders were abolished. Acolytes are instituted not installed. One is also ordained a deacon.

 

[kage_ar]

Not so. The minor orders were abolished. Acolytes are instituted not installed. One is also ordained a deacon.

Well, the Bishop installed as Acolyte my dear friend who is on his way to being a Priest.

Canon 230 §1 says: "Lay men whose age and talents meet the requirements prescribed by decree of the bishops’ conference can be given the stable ministry of lector and of acolyte, through the prescribed liturgical rite . . . "

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Well, the Bishop installed as Acolyte my dear friend who is on his way to being a Priest.

Canon 230 §1 says: "Lay men whose age and talents meet the requirements prescribed by decree of the bishops’ conference can be given the stable ministry of lector and of acolyte, through the prescribed liturgical rite . . . "

I would hope in this case that some on this board do not interpret the word “Men” to possibly also include women. As they interpret the word “Men” in other Church documents.

 

[ChurchTorch]

Well, the Bishop installed as Acolyte my dear friend who is on his way to being a Priest.

Canon 230 §1 says: "Lay men whose age and talents meet the requirements prescribed by decree of the bishops’ conference can be given the stable ministry of lector and of acolyte, through the prescribed liturgical rite . . . "

Nope. The bishop instituted him as an acolyte. The ministries of acolyte and lector are instituted ministries for life. The ministries of altar server, EMHC and reader are commissioned ministries for a specific time frame.

 

[Mimi]

The use of female Altar Servers is a pastoral decision. If the woman is a known “dissident” or committs public sin, then, speak to the Pastor. If she continues to promote abortion and continues to serve on the Altar, write the Bishop - but, be respectful and factual in your letter.

"Mrs Mary Slaughter is president of the Abortion Rights Club of Somewhere, USA.

She is currently serving as an Altar Server at Saint such and thus."

Just the facts.

Oh yes; they will hear about this and just add it to the growing list.

Actually, we found out that the way to address complaints in our diocese is to go to one of the “lower” offices, not go directly to the Chancellor or Bishop.

I was happy to see all male servers at the Good Friday service.

Mimi

 

[Orogeny]

I would hope in this case that some on this board do not interpret the word “Men” to possibly also include women. As they interpret the word “Men” in other Church documents.

Unless some on this board are bishops, it is a moot point because the interpretation of anyone else carries no weight. For example, it doesn’t matter how *I interpret the rules about who is to have their feet washed during the Holy Thursday Mass, it only matters how my bishop interprets them. * I follow my bishop, not my reading of the rules. I hope some on this board understand that.

Peace

Tim

 

[Humbled1]

Unless some on this board are bishops, it is a moot point because the interpretation of anyone else carries no weight. For example, it doesn’t matter how *I interpret the rules about who is to have their feet washed during the Holy Thursday Mass, it only matters how my bishop interprets them. * I follow my bishop, not my reading of the rules. I hope some on this board understand that.

Peace

Tim

So you’ve seen an official document from your bishop stating his official position for your diocese?

 

[CatholicLife]

Last Thursday during the mass I saw that out of the 12 people who got thier feet washed 8 where women. Did something similar happen at your church? dont want to sound sexist or anything…

 

[Brendan]

Nope, it was all men at my parish. The pastor washed the feet of the Associate pastor, the two retired priests who live in our rectory, the feet of both deacons, a senior ( high school aged) altar boy, and 6 men from various ministries in our parish.

 

[OraLabora]

Only men, zero women. Three monks, and three guests from the abbey guest house. They sit in the stalls for the washing of the feet, and that’s beyond the cloister gate, where women are not permitted to go.

 

[LoyalViews]

7 women went up to get their feet washed. Only 4 men did (and I am one)!
The priest that was there is usually more traditional, but no
I don’t know why priests do this…they know the rubrics, well they should.
I am usually at the TLM, and I decided to attend the vernacular at the parish, just to see how things were going.

 

[markomalley]

Thankfully, none did this year (the parochial vicar was the celebrant this year vice the pastor, who usually encourages women to come forward )

 

[Schluns]

No women, 12 men of the church, mostly Knights.

 

[sehrwunderbar]

There were no women at my church. I have heard that only men are supposed to have their feet washed, why is this? Is there a thread explaining it?
Thanks!

 

[violetandgandal]

Nine women at our church. Apparently, there were no arrangements made prior to the Mass. Father asked for volunteers. And mostly women responded. Didn’t surprise me at all.

 

[markomalley]

There were no women at my church. I have heard that only men are supposed to have their feet washed, why is this? Is there a thread explaining it?
Thanks!

Jesus washed the feet of the 12 apostles. How many of the 12 apostles were women?

It’s just that simple.

 

[PAboy57]

half of those getting their feet washed were women at our parish.

 

[MarkThompson]

There were no women at my church. I have heard that only men are supposed to have their feet washed, why is this? Is there a thread explaining it?
Thanks!

I think there are about fifteen threads discussing this from all angles and points of view. The very short answer to your question is, the rubric at issue says that the priest should wash the feet of twelve “viri selecti”, that is, “selected men.” The Latin word viri means “men (only),” i.e. fellows, dudes, guys; unlike the word homines which is often translated “men” (in the sense of mankind), and really just means people, individuals.

Why the rubric is written the way it is, whether or not it’s a good idea, whether or not it has to be followed, and, if it does not have to be followed, whether or not it should be followed, are all discussed in other threads.

 

[MarkThompson]

Jesus washed the feet of the 12 apostles. How many of the 12 apostles were women?

It’s just that simple.

It’s not really that simple; after all, Christ gave his body and blood at the Last Supper to men only, but no one doubts that women are to be given Holy Communion.