Article – Altar Servers, Responses

Thank you to all whom have given me feedback about these altar server articles. Many comments have been positive but some are very critical also. Those who disagree make some very good points. I’ll attempt to respond with the following clarifications:

My main point was about what is more appropriate in the Mass because of the sacramental symbolism of the relationship between men and women, rooted in Jesus and the His Bride the Church. The criticisms in general don’t address this but simply object to excluding girls as unjust or “going backwards.”

I very much agree with Pope Francis in giving women more say in the governing of the Church. My one provision would be that they believe the teachings of the Church.

The reason I gave the examples of the female boy scouts and my teacher friend’s experience was to show the gender confusion of our culture. Could not girl scouts go camping and do other activities that boy scouts do? I would highly recommend the article by Fr. Tad Pacholczyk, PhD. entitled “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria and the Tragic Seduction of our Daughters.”

I did not choose any of the images, such as the photo of nuns, that were posted on Facebook along with these articles. I have asked that from now on articles on the internet not include an image, unless it be the one from the shrine bulletin.
It was mentioned that religious orders of women are dying out and in general less people are going to church. This is true, but many religious orders and parishes, who I believe would agree with my reasoning, are flourishing. The reality is that there is a division in the Church, and the world, over what is authentic feminism.

Sexism is a sin because it denies the legitimate rights and dignity of women. These rights, like all human rights, come from God. In truth, only our Creator has rights in Himself, because He is the author of all that exists. He is free to give to each creature different gifts as He sees fit.

One person encouraged me to have an open mind to the changes in the world. I agree and I try to do that. But I’ll close with an important quote from the Second Vatican Council which I believe we should all keep in mind:

“The Church also maintains that beneath all changes there are many realities which do not change and which have their ultimate foundation in Christ, Who is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.” (Gaudium et Spes 10)