The God Given Roles

(sorry the layout n fonts was kind of a mess, i've already given up with blogger, been spending an hour plus on the fonts and sizes but still the same mess)

I was kinda surprised reading our new Blogfest topic:

Week 3: Female Altar servers, a step too far ahead?

It was exactly the same topic which I discussed with a friend of mine not long ago!
Hee ... =) And I gotta admit, at first it was kinda hard to decide on which side I'm gonna stand.


So, let's start with where Our Church stands presently.

Based of the inclusion of both males and females in Canon Law 230 §2: "Lay persons can fulfill the function of lector in liturgical actions by temporary designation. All lay persons can also perform the functions of commentator or cantor, or other functions, according to the norm of law."

The authentic interpretation from Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on 15 March 1994 (confirmed on 11 July 1992 by Pope John Paul II) said that Canon 230 §2 states that service at the altar is one of the liturgical functions that can be performed by both lay men and women. The circular letter, written by the cardinal-prefect of the Congregation, also clarified that Canon 230 §2 has a permissive and not a preceptive character, that is, it allows, but does not require, the use of female altar servers. Thus it was for each diocesan bishop to decide whether to allow them in his diocese.

A later document made clear that, even if a bishop decided to permit girl altar servers, the priest in charge of a church in that diocese was not obliged to accept them, since there was no question of anyone, male or female, having a right to become an altar server.

(source : Wikipedia)

And here are some comments from Bishop and Priest which support female altar servers.

Now, according to Bishop Paul S. Loverde (Bishop of Arlington, USA), women and girls may also have the opportunity to deepen their faith through serving at the altar at their parishes – “an experience which can facilitate a young woman’s discernment of the Lord’s call to religious life.”
Father Paul deLadurantaye, director of the Office of Sacred Liturgy, said that he doesn’t believe allowing women to be altar servers will diminish vocations to the priesthood. Echoing the bishop’s words, Father deLadurantaye said, “Young girls could also be helped to discern a call to religious life.”

(source: Catholic Herald)


As for me, (personally) I'm NOT at all in opposition of female altar servers. Yet, (again, personally!) I would PREFER that altar servers are reserved for boys only.

But WHY?


I would like to try supporting my stand with below quote from Pope John Paul II Apolostic Letter on 22 May 1994, Ordinatio Sacerdotalis.

3. Furthermore, the fact that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, received neither the mission proper to the Apostles nor the ministerial priesthood clearly shows that the non-admission of women to priestly ordination cannot mean that women are of lesser dignity, nor can it be construed as discrimination against them. Rather, it is to be seen as the faithful observance of a plan to be ascribed to the wisdom of the Lord of the universe.


It is obvious that above quote was stating about priestly ordination and not altar servers. Yet, (personally) I would PREFER to extend the scope into altar servers. By allowing ONLY males as altar servers, it CANNOT mean than females are of lesser dignity, nor can it be construed as discrimination against females.

The next question is again, WHY? And on WHAT ground?

(Personally) I do believe that God created man and woman with their own unique ROLES, which sometimes could not be substituted by the other. I would call these as God Given Roles.


For instance, naturally ONLY women could become pregnant and give birth. (I do feel that this is one of the noble roles given by God specially for women)

Since men could NOT naturally become pregnant and give birth, it does NOT mean that men are of a lesser dignity than women, ain't it?

Hence, I simply feel the same way towards priesthood, as one of noble roles given by God specially for men. The fact that Catholic Church does NOT ordain women as Priests does NOT mean that women are of lesser dignity than men.

In the same context, about the altar server, (personally) I view altar server as one of the special role given by God to men.

Yes, it is absolutely true that Catholic Church has already opened the opportunity to both males and females to be altar servers. In this I have NO doubt and I'm NOT at all oppose the idea. Yet, (personally) I would PREFER (note: PREFER) that altar servers are reserved for males only.



~All images were taken from Google images~