As dusk fell outside the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Cardinal Justin Rigali stood up from his thronelike cathedra and handed his ornate crozier to a priest.A pathetic soul.
He stripped off his outer vestment, wrapped a linen towel around his waist, bent to his knees, and washed the feet of 12 young seminarians.
Footwashing is a Holy Thursday rite in many Christian churches. But despite the somber dignity of last night's ritual, Rigali's decision to wash only men's feet was a potent symbol to some Catholics of women's restricted roles in the church.
Yesterday morning, for example, as Rigali gave his homily at the annual Chrism Mass marking Jesus' establishment of the priesthood, a white-haired woman marched up the center aisle, demanding aloud that the church "ordain women now."
Two seminarians hustled Gabriela Assagioli of Penn Valley away as she sang "We Shall Overcome."
Story is here.
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