Pope washes feet of Muslim prisoner

TG12345 wrote: Most of the inmates were men, so your point is moot.

TG, it's not a matter of numbers.

Pope washes feet of young Muslim woman prisoner in unprecedented twist on Maundy Thursday
"While popes have for centuries washed the feet of the faithful on the day before Good Friday, never before had a pontiff washed the feet of a woman... Catholic traditionalists are likely to be riled by the inclusion of women in the ceremony because of the belief that all of Jesus� disciples were male."

Pope Francis washes feet of young detainees in ritual
"Two of the 12 were young women, an unusual choice... ROME (AP) � Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of a dozen inmates at a juvenile detention center in a Holy Thursday ritual that he celebrated for years as archbishop and is continuing now that he is pope. Two of the 12 were young women, a remarkable choice given that the rite re-enacts Jesus' washing of the feet of his male disciples."

Pope washes women's feet in break with church law
"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... He often involved women. Photographs show him washing the feet of a woman holding her newborn child in her arms."

Pope washes feet of young detainees in Holy Thursday ritual
"The group of 12 young people who had their feet washed and kissed by the pope included two young women - the first time a pope included females in the rite. The ceremony has traditionally been limited to men, since all of Jesus' apostles were men."

Pope Francis' female foot-wash outrages traditionalists










Edited by Rational - 01 April 2013 at 7:27am

Rational wrote: TG12345 wrote: Most of the inmates were men, so your point is moot. TG, it's not a matter of numbers. Pope washes feet of young Muslim woman prisoner in unprecedented twist on Maundy Thursday "While popes have for centuries washed the feet of the faithful on the day before Good Friday, never before had a pontiff washed the feet of a woman... Catholic traditionalists are likely to be riled by the inclusion of women in the ceremony because of the belief that all of Jesus� disciples were male." Pope Francis washes feet of young detainees in ritual "Two of the 12 were young women, an unusual choice... ROME (AP) � Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of a dozen inmates at a juvenile detention center in a Holy Thursday ritual that he celebrated for years as archbishop and is continuing now that he is pope. Two of the 12 were young women, a remarkable choice given that the rite re-enacts Jesus' washing of the feet of his male disciples." Pope washes women's feet in break with church law "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... He often involved women. Photographs show him washing the feet of a woman holding her newborn child in her arms." Pope washes feet of young detainees in Holy Thursday ritual "The group of 12 young people who had their feet washed and kissed by the pope included two young women - the first time a pope included females in the rite. The ceremony has traditionally been limited to men, since all of Jesus' apostles were men." Pope Francis' female foot-wash outrages traditionalists

Washing someone's feet is a show of humility. It shows you are willing to serve the other person, to care and watch out for him. It shows that your status does not make you better than another person.

Jesus instructed His disciples to wash each others' feet, to show that one is not better than another, to show that they are all equal.

In the Catholic church, the Pope is in the highest position of power. I am not Catholic and I do not believe there should be such a hierarchy, but that's how they do things.

For the Pope to wash other people's feet is a symbolic gesture showing that he is no better than anyone else, and that those who are in high positions of power are expected to serve those below them.

The people whose feet he washed are prisoners... people who are often looked down on in society. A lot of them have committed crimes, been involved in the sex trade, have been abused. Many have discarded them. As you may or may not know, in Europe racism is a very real problem (not unlike Canada or US or Saudi Arabia or Israel) and the prisoners who are immigrants or Muslim or Roma face also a racial stigma.

The Pope washing their feet I think also was meant to demonstrate that Christians are called to love and serve those who society hates.


BTW why is this even a problem for you? Why would it bother you how Christians conduct their religious rituals?

TG12345 wrote: BTW why is this even a problem for you? Why would it bother you how Christians conduct their religious rituals?

Because I care about people, non muslims and muslims. Because I hate it when people are being lied to. Because they involved a "muslim" woman (even though i don't belive any of it). Because I don't agree with public in your face team effort feet washing. Because I have a right to an opinion just like you and everyone else. I could ask you the same question because you said that you're not a catholic so why do you care.

Why involve woman?  That's what I'm talking about. Would Jesus (alaihi assalam) wash the feet of daughters of the disciples?  Would he allow that they wash the feet of each others daughters? No of course not. Men do not wash the feet of other woman. This man (pope man) is no different.

I wonder if this man washes the feet of people his age.

Caringheart wrote: I wonder how the woman came to be included in the foot washing, along with the men.... I think the Pope is seeking to revive the spirit shown to us by Christ... the spirit which He wanted us to emulate. People will naturally be uncomfortable with this... this model of change.

I see where you're coming from.... Rules are meant to be broken right?


Edited by Rational - 02 April 2013 at 3:22pm