Welcome Women to the Backward Church

I'm hopping mad this morning. Archbishop John Donoghue of Atlanta has banned women from participating in the feet-washing ritual of Holy Thursday. See story.

This ritual symbolizes Jesus washing the feet of the apostles his last hours on Earth. It's a metaphor for the importance of servant leadership and humility.

Catholic women of Atlanta, do not be humble in the face of this latest insult. Since your archbishop does not believe you belong on the altar, show him what would happen if you didn't show up anywhere else, either.

For women who work in parishes -- as staff or volunteers -- how about a one-day (or one-week) strike? Churches cannot function without women, period. This would be the perfect opportunity to make this point. And the whole world is watching! You go, women!

Atlanta Catholics are apparently divided on this. See article. But even some priests there are angry. Don't blame them.

The archbishops views on women are so last century or even earlier. See for yourself in a 1996 talk he gave about women.