Arlington bishop expands use of female altar servers, Tridentine Mass

Published: 2006-03-22

ARLINGTON, Va. (CNS) -- New policies announced in March by Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington allow for greater use of female altar servers and expand the availability of the 1962 version of the Latin Mass in the diocese. The decisions were announced in separate letters to Catholics in the diocese. "Recognizing the riches which the 1962 Latin Mass offers, I pray that the spiritual needs and aspirations of those drawn to this liturgy will be met," Bishop Loverde said. In 1984 the Vatican gave permission for limited use of the pre-Vatican II Mass, known as the Tridentine Mass, as revised in 1962. Bishop Loverde said he reached the decision on female altar servers after months of reflection and consultation during the Year of the Eucharist, which concluded in October 2005. "Since 1994, our diocese has permitted girls and women to serve at the altar in several settings: university campuses, convents, nursing homes, retreat houses, hospitals, and home Masses," he wrote in a March 21 letter. "In desiring to make available those legitimate options endorsed by our church, I am expanding our previous permission to include our parish and high school communities."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .