[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish president washes feet of employees in Holy Week 'gesture'

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish president washes feet of employees in Holy Week 'gesture'
By Chris Kirkham, The Times-Picayune 
April 01, 2010, 10:30PM

The ritual of washing feet has a deep-seated tie to Holy Week, a symbol of
the humility Jesus Christ showed in performing the act for his 12 disciples
the day before his death.

St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro took that custom into the
workplace Thursday, 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 Thursday. A reporter was alerted to
the matter by several phone calls from people who had heard from government
employees whose feet were washed.

"It's very uncomfortable to me to take an act of humility and make it a
public statement," Taffaro said, clearly concerned that his actions would be
labeled an attempt at publicity.

The incident does touch on the line drawn between church and state, as well
as the delicate relationship between boss and employee.

Taffaro said employees were not pressured in to having him wash their feet.
But he did say the vast majority of them accepted the offer.

"If they wanted to participate, they could. If they didn't, no problem,"
said Taffaro, who is a devout Catholic. "I didn't keep a list or anything
like that."

He also added that he does not think washing feet in the government complex
is an overtly religious act, but rather a universal symbol of humility.

"It's no different than people who offer to bring Holy Communion to people
who are in federally run prisons," he said. "That would be the same
concept."

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 direct reference in the Bible is the Gospel of John,
which describes Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the time of the
Last Supper.

St. Bernard Parish Councilman Wayne Landry said he did not see the ritual
performed, but heard about it from employees when he arrived at the
government complex Thursday afternoon. He said a few employees told him they
felt uncomfortable with the way it was done. Landry said that it might have
been better if Taffaro had a voluntary gathering for folks who were
interested, instead of going around the building asking if employees wanted
their feet washed.

"Perhaps had it been an invited thing for whoever wanted to come, maybe
those types of comments I received would have been avoided," Landry said.
"On the other side, I certainly wouldn't want to diminish the good will that
was exhibited by the president in the spirit of Easter. I believe his
intentions were good."