NEW ORLEANS — The ritual of washing feet has a deep-seated tie to Holy Week, a symbol of the humility Jesus showed in performing the act for His disciples the day before His death.
Craig Taffaro, president of St. Bernard Parish, La., took that custom into the workplace April 1, going around the government complex throughout the day to wash the feet of willing employees.
“As the chief executive officer of St. Bernard Parish Government, I thought it was an appropriate gesture to show that I am as humbled as any other sinner in the world, so much so that I would offer to wash the feet of the employees,” Taffaro said.
Taffaro did not publicize his actions. A reporter was alerted to the matter by several phone calls from people who had heard from government employees whose feet were washed. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) responded April 5 with a letter from Executive Director Marjorie R. Esman reminding Taffaro that the Constitution prohibits government officials from imposing religious practices on employees at the workplace. Esman said the ACLU trusts he will refrain from further religious practices in the workplace. The feet washing ritual is often incorporated into Catholic and other Christian ceremonies the Thursday of Holy Week, known as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. The Gospel of John describes Jesus washing the feet of His disciples at the time of the Last Supper.
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