Foot Washing on Holy Thursday to Include Women

BOSTON, Massachusetts, MARCH 20, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Sean O'Malley has decided that this year he will wash the feet of women and men during the Mass on Holy Thursday.

The archbishop angered some Catholic women last year by only washing the feet of men, the Boston Globe said.

The archbishop consulted with Vatican officials about the Holy Thursday practice, the newspaper said.

The Vatican responded that although the "liturgical requirement is that only the feet of men be washed at the Holy Thursday ritual," he could make whatever decision he thought was best for Boston, said Ann Carter, a spokeswoman for the archbishop.

The rubrics for Holy Thursday, written in Latin, clearly state that the priest washes the feet of men, "viri," in order to recall Christ's action toward his apostles. Any modification of this rite requires permission from the Holy See.