We’re not talking about the Commandments or the Natural Law. We’re talking about the liturgy.
Obviously, the Pope thought there was a good reason to wash the feet of women. He has the authority to make such a judgment.
Just as obviously, this decision is fraught with risks—primarily the risk of encouraging what is, when done by others, illicit. Is it news that the Pope exercises authority that is not exercised by others?
There is a reason that Popes’ liturgies are traditionally models of formality and correctness—to avoid precisely the kind of misunderstanding—firestorm, even—that has followed the Pope’s Holy Thursday liturgy.
I think Fr. Z’s comments in the last few days—and the comments of Dr. Edward Peters—have been the most enlightening and balanced.
“He has the authority to make such a judgment.”
And where does he derive that authority from? And what did that Supreme Authority do on the first Holy Thursday?
P.S. The former Cardinal Bergoglio not only disobeyed his Pope, he bad-mouthed him.