CHICAGO -- Cardinal Joseph Bernardin refused Thursday to authorize altargirls for Chicago parishes.
Bernardin, responding to a request for clarifiation of doctrine, said the order means Chicago parishes which have allowed girls as altar servers must end the practice.
Chicago is the largest Roman Catholic diocese in the United States.
Bernardin said he does not want to discourage women or girls from participating in church activities.
'I place my confidence in the pastoral guidance of the priests of the archdiocese,' the cardinal said. 'I am confident that, while remaining faithful to the norms and guidelines of the universal church, they will enable each man and woman, each girl and boy, to have a better understanding of the various roles in the celebration of the liturgy.'
