There is nothing concrete that says it is theologically correct to have only male altar servers.But, why is it wrong? All the years when females were not allowed was that wrong? Is there a theological reason it is wrong to only have male servers?
But capability isn’t the issue. Your definition of discrimination is according to US legal code. That is not how the church works. No one has a ‘right’ to be an altar server, so if there is no right, there can be no discrimination. Altar servers serve at the pleasure of the Church, not the other way round.Discrimination: treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit:
Females are just as capable as males when it comes to altar serving. It has been proven for few decades now. There is no turning back the tide. Parishes with all-male altar servers aren’t any more likely to produce a saintly priest than a parish with male and female altar servers.
My goodness, how could that be? They weren’t given permission until when, 1994?Females are just as capable as males when it comes to altar serving. ** It has been proven for few decades now.** ** There is no turning back the tide.** Parishes with all-male altar servers aren’t any more likely to produce a saintly priest than a parish with male and female altar servers.
I am sure that your girls did do a wonderful job. The attitude of the parents is probably the most important aspect in the kids behavior.Oh my! Your interpretation is different than mine.
My own daughters were once alter servers and they were very good! The were very attentive - much more so than some of their male counterparts. And they were by all appearances there out of love and a sense of service to the Church.
In the end I believe only God can read the hearts of these youngsters as they serve.
I agree that altar servers and actually ALL are to serve the pleasure of the Church. My poll is proving just how much some here agree with me. We are ALL here to serve - NOT just women.But capability isn’t the issue. Your definition of discrimination is according to US legal code. That is not how the church works. No one has a ‘right’ to be an altar server, so if there is no right, there can be no discrimination. Altar servers serve at the pleasure of the Church, not the other way round.
Actually you’re wrong.There is nothing concrete that says it is theologically correct to have only male altar servers.
**That is why there are female altar servers today. ** Many understand the correctness of having both male and female altar servers. Unfortunately some continue to hold on to yellowed and fading memories of youth - a time gone by - never to return.
When it comes to lay functions, yes it is. Altar Server used to be a clerical function, but after it became a lay function, there remained no good reason to exclude girls, because lay functions are open to all human beings, as long as they are Catholic. Unless you are going to say that Catholic girls are not human beings? In which case I would refer you to Genesis 1:27.But capability isn’t the issue.
The emperor has no clothesBut the fact that girls can do a good job, does not really prove that they should be doing the job at all.
No one is suggesting that girls bury their talents. And I am certainly not saying that girls are disgusting. Yes, of course girls and women are mdae in the image of God, just as boys and men are.When it comes to lay functions, yes it is. Altar Server used to be a clerical function, but after it became a lay function, there remained no good reason to exclude girls, because lay functions are open to all human beings, as long as they are Catholic. Unless you are going to say that Catholic girls are not human beings? In which case I would refer you to Genesis 1:27.
Girls are created in the image and likeness of God: to look at a girl is to look at an icon of God; therefore to say that girls are “disgusting” (as I have seen people on this forum say) goes against God Himself.
If a lay person (whether male or female) has a talent that can be of service to the Church, it is wrong to “bury” that person’s talent for her, and tell her, oh, your services are not needed; your job is to just sit quietly and look pretty. Remember what happened to the guy who buried his own talent; imagine what would happen to someone who buries someone else’s talent.
This is the same guy who told the Communists where to go, told off the Chinese government, sat Fidel Castro down for a good talking-to, and gave Bishop Oscar Romero what-for, right?No one really knows why Pope JPII allowed female altar servers in 1994. It’s debatable whether he caved to dissenting Catholics who simply used them in defiance of the Church. Could be though.
How many parishes do you know have only boy altar boys?All of the boys I know who are discerning for the priesthood come from parishes where there was a mix of girl and boy altar servers.
Three. So far, none of those particular boys are discerning for the priesthood.How many parishes do you know have only boy altar boys?
I see, new = good, old = bad?There is nothing concrete that says it is theologically correct to have only male altar servers.
That is why there are female altar servers today. Many understand the correctness of having both male and female altar servers. Unfortunately some continue to hold on to yellowed and fading memories of youth - a time gone by - never to return.
And you base this claim on what research?There is nothing concrete that says it is theologically correct to have only male altar servers.
It is not about “little girls”. Who wanted the change the most?This is the same guy who told the Communists where to go, told off the Chinese government, sat Fidel Castro down for a good talking-to, and gave Bishop Oscar Romero what-for, right?
I seriously doubt that he “caved in” to a bunch of little girls.
I think the fact that he said, “yes” to female altar servers means that he considered their argument, and found it to be a good one. Which is a lot different than “caving in.”
No good reason? Is that from Rome?When it comes to lay functions, yes it is. Altar Server used to be a clerical function, but after it became a lay function, there remained no good reason to exclude girls, because lay functions are open to all human beings, as long as they are Catholic.
Their mothers.It is not about “little girls”. Who wanted the change the most?
All lay functions are open to all Catholics in good standing, both male and female. Yes, that’s “from Rome.”No good reason? Is that from Rome?
And their mothers wanted this why?Their mothers.
I have no idea if that is true. I have never seen a reason given by the pope.Seriously, we are talking about housewives and little girls, here. If they didn’t have an absolutely *stellar *argument, he would never have given them the time of day, let alone changed the discipline of the Church for them.