URGENT PRESS STATEMENT.
I was delighted to read the news article with different headlines in todays' several newspapers " Pope washes women's feet , breaks church rule" Pope Francis has set the tone and lived by example by this gesture on women empowerment which needs to be accelerated in the church of today. I recall a personal episode in the late 1990's when the Late Fr.Hugh Fonseca, one of the few activist Priests during his time, was the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Orlem, Malad West and I was the Chairman of the Parish Pastoral Council of the said Parish. Fr. Hugh Fonseca also thought many of us the role activism has to play for a just society and always guided and supported us in taking stands against injustices of every kind. At the Parish Council meeting it was decided that on Maundy Thursday ritual, during the Mass the Priest would wash the feet of the 12 Female House Workers. We had located the 12 female house workers from the Parish and on the appointed day when we reported early, Fr. Hugh Fonseca said : "I knew this would happen" Some Parishioners had complained to the Bishop about this and Fr. Hugh Fonseca was told by the concerned Bishop that washing of the Female House Workers was against the Cannon Law and was directed to abandon such a move. Fr. Hugh Fonseca was much ahead of his time and while he relented keeping in mind his obedience to his Bishop, he washed the feet of the 12 Male House Workers at the altar. But directed me to wash the feet of the selected Female House Workers at the same time in the midst of the community below the altar. Holy Father's actions at the Holy Thursday ritual sets an example and a message to ensure that women are given their due place in the church of today. Dolphy Dsouza - 9820226227 Immd. Past President THE BOMBAY CATHOLIC SABHA 43, Kalina, Santacruz East, Mumbai 400 029. Email: [email protected]
