Pinoy priests support Pope's move to include women in foot-washing rite
January 24, 2016 8:08am

Filipino Catholic priests have expressed support to Pope Francis' move to include women in foot-washing ceremonies on Holy Thursday.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the pontiff's move is part of his efforts to make the Catholic church more inclusive.

“Jesus washed the feet [of others] and gave us the example of service…Jesus wants to serve women, children, and all,” Palma said said.

Cagayan de Oro City Archbishop Antonio Ledesma also welcomed the new decree which makes the Holy Thursday ritual “multi-sectoral, multi-generational, and multi-face.”

He said that in city, they also try to make the traditional rite more inclusive by including Muslims.

“In fact in Cagayan de Oro, we would like a washing of the feet for prisoners and even Muslims. I think it will be a very good sign of inclusive faith for others,” he said.

On Friday, Pope Francis issued a decree overturning the rules for the foot-washing ceremony, stating that the ritual should be open to “all members of the people of God,” including women and children.

In the past three years, the Holy Father washed and kissed the feet of some people with disability, women, and even some non-Catholics in his Holy Thursday foot-washing ritual. —ALG, GMA News


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