Departure from tradition.
IANS
In a departure from an age-old custom and putting into practice a papal decree, bishops at the Holy Thursday service in two Latin diocese churches in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, Kerala for the first time washed the feet of women as part of a ritual earlier performed only on males.
Christians on Thursday commemorated Holy Thursday — that recalls Jesus washing the feet of his 12 apostles before having the Last Supper.
The change in the ‘feet washing’ ritual on ‘Maundy Thursday’ is in line with a decree issued in January by Pope Francis, saying the rite should no longer be limited to men and boys, but also include women and young girls.
“The decision to extend the ritual to women and girls was taken after the church discussed it at various levels,” a spokesperson of Latin Church’s diocese told IANS.
Archbishop M. Soosaipakiam washed the feet of six women, including two physically challenged women, and six men on Thursday evening at the St. Joseph’s cathedral in the state capital, the spokesperson said.
The Latin Church is in communion with the Roman Catholic Church headed by the Bishop of Rome, more popularly known as Pope.
Along with the Syro Malabar Church and the Syro Malankara Catholic Church, it accounts for Kerala’s Catholics who make up about half of the 61.41 lakh Christians in the state.
Washing of the feet is the most important ritual on Maundy Thursday.
The change, Pope Francis had said, was “an attempt to improve the method of implementation, to express the full meaning of the gesture performed by Jesus at the Last Supper”.
While the Latin Church diocese here decided to make the change, other dioceses have decided to take it up next year.
The Syro Malabar Church also decided to look into the matter next year.
Leading the service in Kochi, Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, the head of the Syro Malabar Church, however, washed the feet of 12 men only.
“Today (Thursday) this did not happen in our churches,” Paul Thelekkat, a senior priest of the Syro Malabar Church, told IANS.
The Syro Malankara Catholic Church also decided to keep the change in ritual in abeyance, pending discussions at all levels.
Before becoming Pope, Francis, as a bishop, used to wash the feet of not only women but also non-Christians in the rituals in his home country Argentina, Thelekkat said.
“Now the Pope has made a change in the ritual. But as far as oriental Catholics (Syro Malabar Church and the Syro Malankara Catholic Church) are concerned, ritual changes are made not by the Pope, but by the synod of bishops of the particular church. I hope these two churches will look into it,” said Thelekkat.
‘Synod’ refers to the governing body of a particular church.
Non-Catholic churches in Kerala continue to hold the ritual, limited to only men and boys.
1 Comment
You are the tree and cardinal bishops are trunk and we are branches.Then why we lay people rights are not considered by Mumbai church
Govt gives receipt for every penny paid the Holy Fathern why Church do not give receipt for contribution to Mass,Donation Certificate issued etc
From last several years I am fighting for transparency in Funds collected by Church .Mumbai Church is full of news about land selling to builders,demanding donations,Not giving records of fund collected
Why Holy Father instead of giving instruction does not come heavily on those who go against Church teachings.Why we are tutored like child that God is merciful and we can go on sinning The first trunk part that will crack is Mumbai archdiocese.
My Church Nativity of Lord kandivali east Mumbai collects building fund of rs two lacks from public every month .The priest refuses to give balance sheet showing where cores from last seven years or more kept .We want to know which banks hold this money .We want expenditure /income details from start of fund.This father has completed five years then why he is not transferred .Should I believe their are God Father?Our Church is closed full day on Monday ,No mass.Why one assistant not given to this church as we have seven hundred families.
We take morcha,candle light ,pray ,posters ,pilgrim walh then why not one soul speaks when priest go wrong
The contribution to fund is voluntary but they have made compulsory by closing nose saying no minority/baptism /marriage certificate be given unless latest receipt of contribution to fund is shown
Holy father has to act against Arch bishop as my letters fall on deaf ear
Father This same priest shouts against corruption of Govt but what he is doing by hiding facts.We can preach many good but can we be hypocrit
WE can arrange yearly picnic yearly party and what not then why not annual general body meeting to discuss accounts and other agenda
POSTED BY FRANCISLMONTEIRO