In Anticipation of Holy Thursday...

Paths to Rome: Washing of Feet on Holy Thursday
By Father Jerry Pokorsky

"For I have given you an example, that you also should do"

On Holy Thursday, in parishes throughout the United States, twelve men and women will assemble in the sanctuaries during the Mass of the Lord's Supper to have their feet ritually washed by a priest. Although many Catholics -- both men and women -- are disburbed by the practice of washing women's feet, probably most barely take notice.

Almost no one will be aware that, despite documents approving the practice from the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy (BCL), there is no clear evidence that the Vatican has confirmed the practice of ritually washing women's feet on Holy Thursday. Actually, there is only evidence to the contrary.
...
The liturgical innovation of ritually washing women's feet on Holy Thursday demonstrates the persistence of those promoting the feminist ideology at the highest levels of the Church's liturgical establishment in America. If the Holy See allows traditional liturgical practices such to be changed for merely "pastoral", sociological or ideological reasons, the Church may discover that not all of the paths lead to Rome -- or to Christ.

And of course, despite the clear and unabiguous rubrics in the Missal, countless parishes will engage in 'political correctness' and change the liturgy to suit its whims...But then, refusal to abide by the instructions and directives of the Holy See has become all too commonplace - one would think that this attitude of rebellion and disobedience is to be expected, even praised by those who engage in subverting the authority of the Church to regulate the liturgy. How few are those priests and parishes who are faithful? Pray that more priests and bishops will find the courage to be obedient...

The link to Fr. Pokorsky's article is here.