Charlotte Bishop: Foot-washing for men only

And, of course, because of the failure to be obedient to liturgical law, some parishioners and priests question why women are being left out. Perhaps, as this optional rite suggests, it is to help recall that evening with Jesus and his Apostles, and the institution of the priesthood and the Holy Eucharist. This detail seems to be forgotten today, especially in an atmosphere of political correctness and "active participation" of the lay faithful...

The head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte is reminding priests that only men's feet are to be washed at Holy Thursday services, a move creating a buzz among many N.C. Catholics this Lenten season.

"I have vowed respect and obedience to my bishop. With sadness, I will obey Bishop (Peter) Jugis, with apologies to the women of St. Ann's parish," the Rev. Conrad Hoover of St. Ann Catholic Church in Charlotte said Thursday.

"I think it's ridiculous," said Jenifer Register, a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte, who describes herself as "fired up" over the issue. "I feel that women are a huge part of the church. The church would not survive without women."

For many, the issue is about "ME"...and for what it is worth, the "ME" should always be last, not foremost in our minds. We cannot follow our Lord's example of being a servant if we are so concerned with ourselves before others.

When the Church reinstituted this rite in 1955, the reasoning was clear. It only became muddied later with priests and bishops who decided they knew more than the Church.

Jugis is following Vatican guidelines in reminding priests that foot-washing is for men only on Holy Thursday, this year on April 13. Holy Thursday, he added, reflects what happened at the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of the 12 disciples, all men, as a symbol of servanthood.
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Bill Ryan, a spokesman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, said bishops in each of the nation's 195 dioceses can set their own foot-washing guidelines.

Mr Ryan is mistaken, but then, he speaks for the USCCB. Perhaps that explains his inability to comprehend the liturgical guidelines.

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