Pope Francis: papal feet washing sparks fears over women priests

[cali]

Pontiff shocks devotees by washing women's feet, prompting some to question whether he may consider ordaining women

Traditionalists in the Roman Catholic church have expressed concern after Pope Francis became the first pontiff to wash the feet of two women during a Maundy Thursday mass, a move liberals welcomed but some conservatives feared set a worrying precedent.

At the Casal del Marmo youth detention centre on the outskirts of Rome, the Argentinian pope washed and dried the feet of 12 inmates as part of the traditional rite representing Jesus's final act of humility towards his disciples.

He had surprised the Vatican with his decision to wash the prisoners' feet – a move that echoed the early years of John Paul II, who once performed the rite in the St John Lateran basilica with a dozen homeless men.

But it was his inclusion of two young women, as well as Muslims, in the ceremony that was the most dramatic break with tradition. It even caused some traditionalists to wonder openly whether Francis, who is doctrinally a theological conservative who has explicitly stated he is against female ordination, might one day be willing to open the priesthood to women.

<snip>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/29/concern-pope-francis-feet-washing

[caraher]

1. Next thing you know, he might ordain Muslims!

After all, he washed their feet, too...

And of course the next question: if women become priests, the calamity that ensures is... what?

It just goes to show you how scary you can make the world if you adopt a paranoid conservative mindset.

[eridani]

2. Skipping over the inevitable snark about foot fetishes, this is a really good thing, IMO n/t

[Hekate]

3. This *worries* them? Jesus had female disciples, too

The thing I would most like to see Pope Francis do, because I think it would have the most far-reaching ripple effect and would be most likely to succeed, is to let priests marry. The RC church already admits married Episcopalian priests who have decided to convert to Roman Catholicism. So yes there are already, by a roundabout way, married RC priests.

Just do it!

[cali]

4. good point.

This Pope will be an interesting figure to watch.

[Hekate]

5. I really think he will be one to watch

And in a good way.

[TalkingDog]

6. If he lasts long enough.

[susanr516]

7. Although I still have big problems with the RCC hierarchy

I like several of the decisions Pope Francis has made.

[undeterred]

8. This is the kind of controversy I like.

This pope actually seems like he is interested in following the example of Jesus. That's what a Christian should do.