See how America Magazine mis-represents Vatican II

In a post dated October 10th 2011 (it's only October 3rd as I write) entitled Save the Altar Girls, the editorial reports on the decision by the rector of Ss Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona to restrict serving at the altar to boys. This, of course, was always the Church's practice until a 1994 decision to permit girls to serve.

Now, the Second Vatican Council was concluded in 1965 and it made no mention of allowing girls to serve at Mass. Yet America Magazine writes:

These moves to limit laywomen’s access to the altar threaten to drag the church back into the pre-Vatican II world. One wonders if next the altar rail will return, another barrier between the priests and the people.

Where was the removal of altar rails mentioned in Vatican II? It wasn't.

This is a so-called "Spirit of Vatican II" article which bears no resemblance to the letter of the Council.

The editorial makes the following case:

The key issue is the status of the baptized: that the laity may be called by the Spirit to offer their talents in various roles. The rejection of altar girls disregards the counsel of the Second Vatican Council that the charisms of the baptized “are to be received with thanksgiving and consolation.” By virtue of baptism, the council reminds us, “there is neither male nor female. For you are all ‘one’ in Christ Jesus.” There is “a true equality between all with regard to the dignity and activity which is common to all the faithful in building up the Body of Christ” (“Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,” Nos. 12, 32).

But this argument could be used in support of a campaign for the admission of women to the ranks of the priesthood, yet this is clearly not possible. There is no distinction between male and female in terms of their equal dignity before God, but male and female not only have different physical attributes (only one can be father/husband and only the other mother/wife), they have distinct sacramental attributes to, signs of Christ as bridegroom and the Church as bride respectively.

Clearly America magazine is worried that the Phoenix decision might lead to a trend, and I think they are right to be worried as many of the innovations made over recent decades are being re-examined and rolled back. Whatever their views on girls and altar serving, they should not be invoking the spirit of Vatican II. Altar rails are making a come back too.

Altar Servers' Day at St. Columba's, Selsdon, 10th April 2011

My brother, Father Stephen Boyle, writes:

Thirty eight altar servers attended an afternoon in Selsdon organised by Fr. Stephen Boyle. Tom Caluori from Virgo Fidelis parish, Upper Norwood,
started the day with excellent ice breaking games. He also led one of the group discussions after the excellent presentation by Fr. Behruz Raf'at
which centred on the processional cross.

There was the opportunity for confession during the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament as well as the compulsory requirement of a football match. Thanks to Fr. Barry Hughes for hosting the day, and to the altar servers of the home parish who turned out in impressive numbers.

Altar Servers meet up every term for these days. There will be one next term at a venue to be decided.

Altar Servers Day at Good Shepherd Church, New Addington

My brother, Father Stephen Boyle, Pastor/Parish Priest of Good Shepherd Church, New Addington, writes:

Here is a photo of our altar servers day on 8th January. It was a reunion of servers who went to Rome in October, but also served as a day for servers who had attended any previous events. Input was given on the sites of Rome, including a mention about the visit to the congregation of the doctrine of the faith with Mons. Burke. The Italian theme continued with pizzas eaten after the Mass. Fr. Behruz Raf'at helped out at the day.

Southwark Servers Rome Trip

From my brother, Father Stephen Boyle:

In the October half term a group of 43 pilgrims made up of altar servers and parents led by Fr. Stephen Boyle, the chaplain of the guild of St. Stephen, went on the annual three day visit to Rome.

In the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

On the Wednesday the group saw the Holy Father who many had only recently seen in Hyde Park. It was very moving for all to see Pope Benedict so refreshed after his visit to England and Scotland, and to get so close to him.

The first Mass of the trip was celebrated in the splendid Martyrs Chapel in the Venerable English College. Mgr Hudson, the Rector, gave a guided tour of the tribune where paintings give a potted history of English Catholicism, up to and including the martyrdom of former alumni.

At the Trevi Fountain

On the Thursday Mass was fittingly celebrated on the tomb of St. Pius X, who was instrumental in letting younger children receive communion. The morning also included praying at the tomb of Pope John Paul II.

Foodwise, general distrust of pasta was for the most part overcome by real “cucina romana”, and nothing beat an Italian ice cream as a third course.

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Altar Servers Day at New Addington

Just discovered from the Southwark Archdiocesan website that my brother Father Stephen Boyle hosted another altar servers day.

Here's the blurb:

On Saturday, 23rd October 2010, forty-one altar servers gathered at the Good Shepherd Church, New Addington. They enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new ones.

The day was an opportunity for them to deepen their faith with a talk and discussion on the theme Evolution and the Mass. There was also time for prayer with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and six priests were available for confessions. The free time was taken up with sport, card tricks and the usual fun ice-breakers. The day ended with the Mass at 6:30 pm.

There will be another altar servers' day next term at a date and venue to be decided.

The priest wearing the gold coloured vestment is Father Behruz Rafat.

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Southwark Servers Summertime

Another activity I always help out with when I am in England is the Southwark Diocese Altar Servers Summertime activity organised by my brother, Father Stephen (pictured on the extreme right of the above photo). You can see some photos and a report at the Southwark Diocesan website.

I am pleased that three youngsters from my beloved former parish, St Simon Stock, South Ashford attended.

Do keep all the young people in your prayers.

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Altar Servers Day at Addiscombe

Yesterday four young parishioners of mine attended an altar servers youth day at the parish of Our Lady of the Annunication, Addiscombe. Thanks for Father Joe O'Connor for being our host. The usual mix of ice breaking games, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with Rosary and Confessions and Benediction, games (on a somewhat wet afternoon in a nearby park), superb pizza and drinks provided by the parish, talk on 'Reasons to be Catholic', discussion groups and Mass. As you can see, everyone was in a happy (and some in a silly) mood.

The talk, given by my brother Father Stephen, concluded with this excellent film:

The kind of 'Sleep Over' I approve of

This morning the cousin of one of our altar servers came to Mass. He is a young parishioner and server at St Margaret's, Canning Town, which is entrusted to the pastoral care of the Community of St John. So I invited him to join the team of servers at the Mass.

Altar Servers Trip to Rome

As mentioned earlier a group of altar servers and some of their parents went on a pilgrimage to Rome Tuesday to Thursday led by Father Stephen Boyle, the diocesan spiritual director of the Guild of St Stephen. The trip is kept at a budget price by spending just two nights but having three full days in Rome by taking the first easyJet flight out from Gatwick to Fiumicino on Tuesday morning and the last flight back on Wednesday night.

Day one consisted of a visit to the Vatican museums including the Sistine Chapel.

The group on the spiral staircase in the Vatican Museums.

This was followed by a visit to the Venerable English College for Mass celebrated by Fr Stephen. We were welcomed at the door by Southwark student Matthew O'Gorman. Following the Mass the rector, Mgr Nicholas Hudson who also is a priest of the Southwark Archdiocese, gave the youngsters a brief tour of the College, decribing the martyrdom of the priests who trained that the College during the reign of Elizabeth I only to return to Britain to face certain death. He recalled how, whenever news reached the College that another former-student priest had been martyred, the seminarians gathered to sing a Te Deum. He also said how a priest being executed would think of his brothers at the English College who would be singing the Te Deum when news of his martyrdom reached them.

Click on picture to see gruesome images of hanging, drawing and quaertering.

Mgr Hudson didn't fail to remind the youngsters that in the previous reign of Mary Tudor, protestants had been killed and that we must pray that Christians never do these things to one another again.

We were very pleased to meet some of our Southwark seminarians at the Venerable English College, including Luke dePoulford who is pictured below with Wonersh seminarian Samuel Davey and Fr Stephen.


Day two took us to St Peter's for the Wednesday audience with the Pope. We were the first of the English language groups to be mentioned.

Servers awaiting the arrival of Pope Benedict.

Following a brief shopping period and a welcome lunch, it was off to St Mary Major's for Mass celebrated by me and guided tour by Fr Stephen.

Following that, an evening visit to the Collosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona. Take-away pizzas, ice creams, milk shakes, smoothies etc. were consumed en route.


An amazing event took place at the Trevi Fountains. One of our party had lost his wallet with money and NHS health card. Although we thought there probably wouldn't be any point in re-tracing steps, assuming the wallet had been taken by a pick pocket, we nevertheless went back and found that the wallet had been handed to the police who were still on duty there. We met the young man who had handed the wallet in, extremely appreciative of his honesty and integrity.

The group at the Trevi fountain.

Day three saw us getting up very early for Mass in St Peter's Basilica celebrated by Fr Stephen on the altar of Blessed John XXIII. I suggested - tongue in cheek - that it would surely be most appropriate to celebrate the Mass using the Missal which Pope John left to the Church in 1962, but that suggestion was not taken up. In the basilica, however, many priests were obviously celebrating Mass in the extraordinary form.


The Mass was followed by a visit to the grottoes of the Popes. The group then went up the cupola for fine views of Rome, followed by a short period of prayer in the by now crowded Blessed Sacrament Chapel and a tour of the basilica.




We then had a visit to the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith courtesy of Mgr Patrick Burke (pictured left below) who took the group to the roof of the building for a close up view of St Peter's.




Then it was off to the catacombs of St Callistus and a slap-up lunch before returning to our hotel to collect luggage and transfer to the airport, and arrival back to London after 11pm. All tired, but having had a great trip.

Off to Rome tomorrow

with altar servers from various parishes of the diocese. Trip organised by my brother Father Stephen. It'll be a quick one: first flight out of Gatwick tomorrow, last flight back on Thursday. Your prayers for a good trip and the spiritual benefit of all concerned would be appreciated. Thanks!

Possible Blogging Interlude

No sooner have I started a new blog than my postings will become rather intermittent.


Today I am off to help with an Altar Servers Summertime (2006 group pictured above) at Woldingham School in Surrey until Friday, and then I am off on holiday. Amongst those I am looking forward to visit is the one who describes me as 'notorious' or 'infamous' depending on the state of what I hope is only a wicked sense of humour. In spite of such comments I shall bring him a supply of Marmite which he seems desperate for.

I hope to blog occasionally while I am away if anything interesting happens or occurs to me.

Father Piotr (Peter) Kaczmarek (pictured right below) is in the parish and supplying for me while I am away.