News from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arlington... they have finally permitted altar girls to serve during mass at parishes. Previously they allowed girls to be servers in some instances. This just makes their policy more consistent. Though the article doesn't say it, I have been told that the diocese requires male and female altar servers to dress differently so as to make sure people understand the physical distinction between them. Apparently the bishop thinks that allowing females to serve at the altar will increase the number of vocations to the religious life. Maybe it will, but it sure hasn't done that here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, or anywhere else that I can think of for that matter. One thing it does seem to have increased is the desire among certain RCs to ordain women.
Personally, I maintain my general opposition to female altar servers, but believe that women can and should serve in important leadership positions in the local and national church (e.g. vestry, teaching and preaching, diocesan committees, professorships, etc.) if they so desire.
