Mother Miriam on EWTN states that women should not be in the Sanctuary

[Lenny]

Until it isn’t.

https://www.catholicnews.com/update-bishops-from-us-central-america-participate-in-meeting-on-immigration/

 

[Dovekin]

I actually read what she says as being much narrower: simply that women shouldn’t be doing the “priestly” tasks in the sanctuary. Obviously she’s fine with them teaching everywhere else, she does it herself and the founder of EWTN also did it.

I read her comments more broadly, as she is making a claim to determine how the Eucharist may be offered. She is echoing the teaching of priests, but to the extent that she is presenting her own opinion on how the Eucharist should be celebrated, she is crossing a line.

I am fine with that, but only because I disagree with her. If I agreed with her that women should not take on responsibility for the Eucharist, then I would not accept her taking on responsibility for the Eucharist.

That may be too subtle a point. There is something to the prohibition she supports that feels to me like she should be silent herself. Idk.

 

[dochawk]

Would you please post a news story where a woman was ordained as a Deacon in the Catholic Church?

He didn’t say “deacon”, but “deaconess.” The two have been distinct groups for two millennia . . .

That said, I have yet to hear of the installation of an RCC deaconess.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

In the Byzantine Tradition, women are not allowed into the sanctuary/altar area period.

1. Admittance to the sanctuary is reserved to priests, deacons, clerics and servers. Laymen who do not partake in the divine worship have no place in the sanctuary, much less women, regardless of reason or their status.

Source: Berko, Rev. M., translator. Order for the Celebration of Vespers, Matins and the Divine Liturgy According to the Ruthenian Recension. A translation of “Ordo Celebrationis Vesperarum, Matitutini et Divinae Liturgiae Iuxta Recensionem Ruthenorum”, published by the Sacred Congregation for the Eastern Church (sic), Rome, 1944. 1958, Washington, D.C., published by Redeemer’s Voice, Yorkton, SK, Canada, p. 10.

 

[Bill_B_NY]

She may be saying that allowing women to take liturgical role is a mistaken policy and should be changed if it is permitted. She’s free to say that and she may contribute to a change if successful. I’ve been in Byzantine parishes that do not permit women behind the iconostasis. And women are not permitted in the Roman EF liturgy.

 

[thistle]

Here in the Philippines women are not permitted to be altar servers or EMHC’s.
They are allowed in the sanctuary to be readers.

 

[Bill_B_NY]

I hope the policy will change someday to the practice of men-only in the sanctuary. Perhaps Mother Miriam can influence that kind of thing.

 

[thistle]

I hope the policy will change someday to the practice of men-only in the sanctuary.

The Church allows female servers but leaves it up to each country’s Bishops Conference to decide if they will allow them.

 

[Bill_B_NY]

I am encouraged that many younger priests are opposed to permitting it. Someday we may have more bishops like them. I hope.

 

[Traddy1962]

It is starting to become a common thing in my diocese at the NO. Girls are slowly being removed from service at the altar in a lot of parishes. They still read, but male only altar servers are being encouraged, and rightly so.

 

[ChemicalBean]

Well that’s a steaming pile of sadness.

 

[PennyinCanada]

This is an iconostas which is found in the Orthodox and Eastern rite churches. The altar is behind the ‘fencing’ of saints. The center has the royal doors that the priest goes through, the deacons enter through the side doors, as indicated with red arrows.
This is the wonderful reminder to the faithful that indeed, we have heaven that has come down to earth. Article…http://orthochristian.com/96581.html

I don’t know what proper reasoning would be to completely erase the idea of the holy of holies. Our faith is strengthened when this truth is solidified in our minds and hearts, to go out into the world and bring the Gospel.

We need more of this, not less.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[Servant31]

It is starting to become a common thing in my diocese at the NO. Girls are slowly being removed from service at the altar in a lot of parishes. They still read, but male only altar servers are being encouraged, and rightly so.

I disagree. I think females wherever possible makes the church a better place overall.

 

[Traddy1962]

Well considering the long standing tradition of the church is for women to simply participate through prayer within the mass speaks volumes. I think I’ll stick with the tradition of the church, rather than some exceptions that have run amuck for around 50 years.

Women do play very important roles within the church, and always have. However, I think the topic of discussion is within the mass itself. Hence my above statement. Not saying women aren’t important or haven’t been.

 

[Pitcairn17]

Well considering the long standing tradition of the church is for women to simply participate through prayer within the mass speaks volumes. I think I’ll stick with the tradition of the church, rather than some exceptions that have run amuck for around 50 years.

Women do play very important roles within the church, and always have. However, I think the topic of discussion is within the mass itself. Hence my above statement. Not saying women aren’t important or haven’t been.

Another long-standing Church tradition that only changed within the last century or so was the reception of Communion just once or twice a year. Do you observe that tradition as well?

 

[Servant31]

Well considering the long standing tradition of the church is for women to simply participate through prayer within the mass speaks volumes. I think I’ll stick with the tradition of the church, rather than some exceptions that have run amuck for around 50 years.

Women do play very important roles within the church, and always have. However, I think the topic of discussion is within the mass itself. Hence my above statement. Not saying women aren’t important or haven’t been.

I just disagree, I don’t see how it’s beneficial to limit roles that broadly. I think it puts too much emphasis on gender. I’m not against traditions, but some traditions change.

Blockquote

 

[Traddy1962]

I see what your saying. Jesus, however, put that emphasis on gender. That’s why the tradition of the church is for men to participate more openly during the liturgy, in the clerical state and the lay state to serve. That’s why he chose only men to carry on the work of his church with HIS authority. Service at the altar also helps to foster vocations to the priesthood, which girls can not participate in.

 

[Traddy1962]

No, because Pope St. Pius X in his wisdom promoted more frequent reception to fortify the church on earth from the onslaught of the world and the devil. The topic at hand is women in the sanctuary during mass and service at the altar. We Very plainly know from tradition and the word of God that the work of Christ(which includes the Holy Sacrifice of the mass) and the authority given to his Apostles is a masculine duty. Look at the Saints throughout history, the women weren’t serving at the altar. The priests, deacons, and lay men(if there weren’t the ordained acolytes) were serving God in that capacity.
When the church started allowing women into the sanctuary it was considered the exception(still is) and was only to be temporary.

 

[Bill_B_NY]

It is starting to become a common thing in my diocese at the NO. Girls are slowly being removed from service at the altar in a lot of parishes. They still read, but male only altar servers are being encouraged, and rightly so.

That is good news. I hope it will continue in other dioceses.

 

[Bill_B_NY]

The topic at hand is women in the sanctuary during mass and service at the altar. We Very plainly know from tradition and the word of God that the work of Christ(which includes the Holy Sacrifice of the mass) and the authority given to his Apostles is a masculine duty. Look at the Saints throughout history, the women weren’t serving at the altar. The priests, deacons, and lay men(if there weren’t the ordained acolytes) were serving God in that capacity.
When the church started allowing women into the sanctuary it was considered the exception(still is) and was only to be temporary.

That’s a great response. God gave a masculine role in the liturgy and leadership of the Church.