Posted on 03/30/2013 5:32:33 PM PDT by SkyPilot
In the short time since Pope Francis became leader of the Catholic Church, his every move has been scrutinized for signs of what his plans could be for his rule. And while his focus on austerity and the world’s poor has excited many who thought the Church was too out of touch with reality, traditionalist Catholics have been devastated. Francis’ decision to wash the feet of two girls, including a Muslim, during a traditional Holy Thursday ritual “has become something of the final straw,” writes the Associated Press. For traditionalists, it was a clear sign that Francis has no intention of continuing Benedict XVI's efforts to roll back reforms that were brought in after Vatican II.
The Thursday incident is seen as particularly serious because Francis flouted Church law when he washed the feet of the two girls. The traditional foot-washing ceremony reenacts the way Jesus washed the feet of his 12 apostles during the Last Supper, and the Church has long said women can’t participate because the apostles were all men. Some were quick to question whether the move could be seen as the first step in opening up the Church to women’s ordination, although the Vatican has cautioned against reading too much into every little move. Yet there is no getting around the fact that until Francis, no pope had ever washed the feet of a woman, or a Muslim for that matter, on Holy Thursday, notes the Wall Street Journal.
The pope washed the feet of two Muslim teenagers Thursday—a boy and a girl—in a move that observers quickly said could mark the beginning of an openness toward the Muslim world that could change how the Vatican is perceived, points out the AFP.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
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Let's not do what God incarnate said to do and did Himself, let's listen to the "Church Traditionalists."
Sheesh.
Pope Francis needs to continue to do what he is led to do by the Holy Spirit. Those who want to be critical are no different than the Pharisees of Christ’s time.
thank you for posting that: “Unless I wash you, you shall have no part with me”...beautiful...thank you.
This will be an interesting Papacy.
there is not one reference or mention of who these “traditionalists “are that are “livid”.
BS article..inaccurate, unfounded with no evidence of its title claim.
I spend a fair amount of time around a group of guys who attend the Tridentine mass, I've yet to hear a bad thing about Pope Francis from any of them.
The First Century Church must necessarily have engaged in foot washing ~ at least that's a fairly widespread Protestant belief based on a clear reading of the Bible and noting jesus actions.
It seems the Catholics are still divided on the matter.
Jesus had many women followers that believed in him. Note it says he washed his disciple’s feet not his Apostle’s feet.
“Jesus had many women followers that believed in Him...”
Going back to my Catholic school days... I was taught that Jesus was “beyond His years” with respect to women. For example, when He met the women at the well and spoke to them. Not a big deal nowadays; however, as it was explained to me... not the way men acted at the time. The washing of feet has always been a sign of humility and servitude. Not a big deal to me at all that Pope Francis chose to wash the feet of women and other faiths. Just my opinion...
True humility, I admire this man.
Another article on FR cited a traditionalist blog called Rorate Coeli. I looked. They are pretty angry about it. But they’re also a fringe, even among traditionalists.
Same here. I’m not Catholic but I foresee this Pope being a true inspiration for Christians the world over.
Here is another article about it:
This will be a lousy pope... Involving muslims in a Christian tradition (unless baptism) can only serve to water down Christianity and will be interpreted as submission by the muslims. This is a sign of further political correctness to come instead of someone who will set Christianity first.
I’m really getting sick and tired of non-Catholics critiquing my church.
Maybe their feet were really dirty. And he was there. Bad da bing. Bad da bang....clean feet.
omg ~!!!!!!!!!!! HE WASHED A WOMAN’S FEET!!!!!!!!!!!!
BURRRRRNnnnnnnnn HIMMMMMMM~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not acting very ‘christian’ are these people?
What’s wrong with these folks that they can’t wash their own feet?
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