Pope breaks rules as he washes feet of disabled people in pre-Easter ritual

CBS News ^ | April 18, 2014 | CBSNews.com

[Biggirl]

ROME - Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 disabled and elderly people Thursday - women and non-Catholics among them - in a pre-Easter ritual designed to show his willingness to serve others like a "slave."

[twister881]

The Roman Catholic Church is one of the few remaining Christian bulwarks standing against the tidal of Evil washing over the planet. As a traditional Anglican who was deserted by the radical Episcopal Church, I worry about that which might weaken Catholicism. The Pope has made worrisome statements and taken concerning actions, however, washing the feet of women and non-Christians, to me, is not included. Bringing the beauty and power of the message of Salvation through Christ Jesus to everyone is commanded, not optional.

[marshmallow]

The headline implies that washing the feet of "disabled people" is contrary to Catholic "rules".

"Rules" were indeed broken at this event but that wasn't one of them.

I guess they could have told the truth and inserted the word "women" in the headline but that doesn't have the quite the same "gotcha" factor as "disabled people" so they opted for a little journalistic hanky panky.

[Biggirl]

Maybe, just maybe his doing just that, witnessing in a silent way to the Gospel of Jesus to everyone, even to the news reporters via washing the feet.

[Biggirl]

He could be in a silent way, witnessing to the Gospel for the conversion of all to Christ by doing simple footwashing.

[cloudmountain]

The Roman Catholic Church is one of the few remaining Christian bulwarks standing against the tidal of Evil washing over the planet. As a traditional Anglican who was deserted by the radical Episcopal Church, I worry about that which might weaken Catholicism. The Pope has made worrisome statements and taken concerning actions, however, washing the feet of women and non-Christians, to me, is not included. Bringing the beauty and power of the message of Salvation through Christ Jesus to everyone is commanded, not optional.

You are 100% correct.

The Catholic Church has survived some really AWFUL popes, bishops and priests. So, this action by Pope Francis will NOT bring about an end to our beloved Church.

He also took on the name of Francis (of Assisi) which was new. He is Francis I. Pope Francis I is unusual but he is a good man who is doing his best to bring "the beauty and power of the message of Salvation through Christ Jesus to everyone."

At Mass there is a point where we state our "intentions" of the Mass, right after the Gospel reading. We ALWAYS and ALWAYS pray for the pope, bishops and priests who were given the absolutely awesome authority to say the words that bring down the Holy Spirit to change bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus.

[marshmallow]

The headline is completely misleading.

It should read...."Pope Breaks Rules as he Washes Feet of Women in Pre-Easter Ritual"

My previous post questioned the journalistic standards of the copy editors at CBS, not the Pope's reasons for doing this.

[Salvation]

Not again?

[ebb tide]

But bishops know something else: they know that virtually every time a provision of liturgical (not divine) law has been challenged in recent decades (by people who love the Church, or otherwise) on such topics as Saturday Mass of anticipation, Communion in the hand, female altar servers, regular distribution of Precious Blood, lay service as extraordinary ministers—the list goes on and on—virtually every time, I say, that such restrictions have been challenged, Rome has changed the rule after a lot of hard feelings were generated in trying to defend it.

Dr. Edward Peters, Canon lawyer

http://www.canonlaw.info/a_footfight.htm

[ebb tide]

Just like Nancy, right?

[Biggirl]

You bring it up, now me.

[Biggirl]

Editing correction:

You bring it up, not me.

[ebb tide]

Just pointing out that Pope Francis’ public flaunting of Church law is about as much of a “silent witnessing” as is Pelosi’s.

[pbear8]

In the photo, Nancy is in an Episcopal church with an Episcopal bishop.

[ebb tide]

In this photo, Cardinal Bergoglio is in a Jewish synagogue, lighting a menorah with a Jewish rabbi.

What's the difference between this photo and that of Pelosi?

[twister881]

Yes, the traditional Anglican liturgy is quite similar to that of the Roman Catholic Church, wherein the prayers of the people are offered for the world, the nation, our leaders, the clergy, and the state of the Christian Church universal. Always a very meaningful part of the service/Mass to me, particularly where prayers are requested for the members of our Armed Forces, and then the names of those of the congregation who are serving are read.

[kearnyirish2]

“Maybe, just maybe his doing just that, witnessing in a silent way to the Gospel of Jesus to everyone, even to the news reporters via washing the feet.”

Whatever his goal, he should understand how confusion can result from this.

[cloudmountain]

Yes, the traditional Anglican liturgy is quite similar to that of the Roman Catholic Church, wherein the prayers of the people are offered for the world, the nation, our leaders, the clergy, and the state of the Christian Church universal. Always a very meaningful part of the service/Mass to me, particularly where prayers are requested for the members of our Armed Forces, and then the names of those of the congregation who are serving are read.

===================================

That last part is something we don't do.

There is also a book to the side of the altar where we can request prayers, etc., for whomever we want.

We can also light candles.

Thanks for your input.

A blessed Easter to you and yours!

[cloudmountain]

The Roman Catholic Church is one of the few remaining Christian bulwarks standing against the tidal of Evil washing over the planet. As a traditional Anglican who was deserted by the radical Episcopal Church, I worry about that which might weaken Catholicism. The Pope has made worrisome statements and taken concerning actions, however, washing the feet of women and non-Christians, to me, is not included. Bringing the beauty and power of the message of Salvation through Christ Jesus to everyone is commanded, not optional.

Ah yes, I remember the split. We felt it here on the West Coast. I had a friend for years who chose the radical Episcopalian Church. She waxed poetic about her pregnant minister and I was surprised as how uncomfortable I felt picturing the very pregnant minister waddling around the altar during the service.

I feel the same about women rabbis. An old squash partner had her daughter's bat mitzvah performed (if that's the correct word) by a VERY pregnant rabbi. It was even done in a church which was used by several groups of faiths. There was even a cross (not a crucifix) in the church.
It felt very strange to me.

Priests washing women's feet hasn't been ever done in my parish but I know it's been done. I don't quite equate that with female rabbis and ministers, but it's definitely veering from what Jesus did.
I don't remember our parish priest doing any washing of any feet. I wonder if I simply BLOCKED the entire thing. That is possible. :o)

Jesus took the Jewish path, that is, male rabbis. The Catholic Church took the Jewish path, that is, male priests.
Jesus MUST have had a reason for doing that. I have always wondered why some Jews and many Protestants took the path they did and ignored the male-only path of Jesus for clergy.

[ebb tide]

Is Pope Francis a bad example to Catholics?