Vatican will not ban altar girls, say English, Welsh bishops

Published: 2003-10-23

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican will not ban girls and women from serving at the altar during Mass, the bishops of England and Wales said after a meeting with the Vatican office responsible for liturgical matters. "Altar girls are to keep the backing of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments," said an Oct. 21 press release from the British bishops' conference. The bishops, making "ad limina" visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses, confirmed earlier reports that a draft document from the congregation, which originally appeared to discourage the use of altar girls, was being rewritten substantially. Bishops will "remain free to authorize the ministry of altar girls in their dioceses," said Father Allen Morris, liturgical adviser to the bishops of England and Wales.

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