Pope Francis washes women's feet in break with church law
"In his most significant break with tradition yet, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of two young women at a juvenile detention center a surprising departure from church rules that restrict the Holy Thursday ritual to men.
No pope has ever washed the feet of a woman before, and Francis' gesture sparked a debate among some conservatives and liturgical purists, who lamented he had set a "questionable example." Liberals welcomed the move as a sign of greater inclusiveness in the church.
Speaking to the young offenders, including Muslims and Orthodox Christians, Francis said that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples on the eve of his crucifixion in a gesture of love and service.
"This is a symbol, it is a sign. Washing your feet means I am at your service," Francis told the group, aged 14 to 21, at the Casal del Marmo detention facility in Rome..."
http://news.yahoo.com/pope-washes-womens-feet-break-church-law-002454620.html
bluedave
(366 posts)HurricaneWarning
(220 posts)but I am pleasantly surprised. I think it looks promising, but I might be a cock-eyed optimist.
goldent
(1,582 posts)It is driving the anti-Catholics mad
47of74
(18,470 posts)IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)Yes, he will make it even harder for anti-Catholics to bear us! Still brand new, and already he's my favorite Pope ever. I hope he lives a lonnnng time, because he's exactly who and what we need.
demosincebirth
(12,550 posts)back a little.