I am male.
I had valid reasons to be an Altar boy (Christ/parish involvement/duty), but I never intended to become a priest. I don’t like anyone thinking that my parents lied to me; they never had any intent to push me towards the priesthood.
When I was in training to be an Altar boy, I was never asked if it was my intent to become a priest. Nor was it ever stated that it was the first step to the priesthood. There were lots of calls for the priesthood in CCD classes, but not in altar boy training.
While becoming an altar boy may be the first step to the priesthood, I have seen nothing that indicates that it is the exclusive reason to be an altar server. As such, calling female altar servers a “lie” is excessive.
In addition, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, confirmed in 1994 that service at the altar is one of the liturgical functions that can be performed by both lay boys and girls. If you believe that the Pope is Peter’s successor and the primacy of Peter, then how can a girl altar server be a “lie” when papal-approved Canon law allows it?
OK ... then nobody lied to you, and I wasn't talking about you personally.
In addition, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, confirmed in 1994 that service at the altar is one of the liturgical functions that can be performed by both lay boys and girls. If you believe that the Pope is Peter’s successor and the primacy of Peter, then how can a girl altar server be a “lie” when papal-approved Canon law allows it?
OK, it's a prudential judgment, by the Pope, and therefore warrants respectful consideration. Upon respectful consideration, I consider the decision to have been unwise. I note historically that those who pushed for girl Altar Boys were the same folks as were pushing for female Priests. That alone is cause for suspicion. To the extent that being an Altar Boy is (perceived to be) a first step toward the priesthood, allowing girls to take that first step is lying to them. It is telling them, implicitly, that one day (when the Church is more "enlightened") they too may be ordained.
I was an Altar Boy from about age 8 to about age 18. I was never asked if I wanted to be a priest (surprising, in retrospect). I thought about it, but did not have that vocation. Still, there was a pervasive understanding that while not all Altar Boys become Priests, virtually all Priests had been Altar Boys. First step? I think so.
Canon Law permits girl Altar Boys. Therefore, they are permitted. The decision is above my paygrade. It is, however, not a doctrinal definition and I am free to think it unwise.