Look up at the altar, where are the women?

[47of74]

Phyllis Zagano raised a good point

If you had the chance to attend Holy Week services in person or via television — and I hope you did — you probably noticed the more things change, the more they stay the same. It's a men's church.

The clerics — all vested — are in the sanctuary or at least up front. The rest of us are far away.

Keeping the faithful at a distance was a hallmark of medieval Catholicism, so much so that St. Francis of Assisi tried to do something about it. Unable to bring the people closer to the celebration, he gave them the Gospel. His attitude, still flowering in the world, helps faithful folks assimilate the uncomfortable truth: they cannot be near the sacred. Especially women.

But look around the country and around the world, and you will find more and more parishes installing altar rails, and fewer, if any, removing them. Diocesan cathedrals are the same.

[shenmue]

1. There are some women deacons in the Orthodox church

[Hangingon]

2. Who is installing altar rails?

[Pendrench]

3. Thank you for posting this.

I've been a Catholic my entire life (54 years), and I've never understood why women are not allowed to serve as priest.

In my opinion, adding the experiences and view points of women would only be a plus to the church.

Wishing you well and peace.

Tim

[47of74]

4. It seemed different to me at first to see women presiding when I first swam the Thames

But now it all seems natural to see women presiding. And having their viewpoints adds so much to the church.

I think when +Justin is ready to retire the Anglican Communion needs to give serious thought to making a woman the next Archbishop of Canterbury, no matter how butt hurt it makes some parts of the Communion.