Boston archbishop defends his record on women

Published: 2004-04-30

BOSTON (CNS) -- Boston Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley defended his record on women April 30 and clarified a negative comment on feminism he made during Holy Week, saying he was sorry if Catholic women were upset by the controversy that resulted. He also defended his decision to wash only the feet of men on Holy Thursday. He said that is the rubric of the church and he has followed it since he was ordained a priest 34 years ago. When he goes to Rome this August for his "ad limina," or official five-year visit, he said, "I will raise the question of the foot-washing ceremony for a clarification." Archbishop O'Malley commented on the Holy Week controversies in his column in the April 30 issue of The Pilot, his archdiocesan newspaper.

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