The following was taken from a statement issued Aug. 22 by the Communications Office of the Diocese of Phoenix:
“Before seminaries, serving at the altar was part of an apprenticeship for priesthood. Fr. Lankeit’s decision was made primarily in response to the shortage of priestly vocations, since serving at the altar points very clearly to the specific vocation of priesthood.”
He cites examples where limiting altar service to boys in the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb., and in Ann Arbor, Mich., has borne the fruit of many priestly vocations. The Diocese of Lincoln is considered a vocations “powerhouse.” In a single parish in Ann Arbor, in 2008, there were 22 new seminarians and five women in formation for religious life.
It’s a fact that we have a priest shortage. Obviously what we’re currently doing isn’t working. This isn’t about abusing girls or degrading them. It’s about respecting natural law. It’s about getting out of God’s way and letting him work in our lives.
If women would act like women, then men would act like men.
Vicki Nace
Lovilia
