Apparently the Vatican is adopting some hard line rulings of the Taliban. A rule to remember: Religion and the Military are just big boys clubs (He-Man woman hater clubs).

From correspondents in the Vatican City
September 23, 2003

THE Vatican is about to publish a series of interdictions banning altar girls and forbidding joint services with Protestants, the Catholic monthly Jesus said today.

The magazine said the Vatican would issue 37 specific measures this year or early in 2004. They were foreshadowed in Pope John Paul II's encyclical letter Ecclesia de Eucharistia on the Catholic Mass published April 17.

In a measure that is certain to arouse a polemic in the ecumenical movement, the magazine said Roman Catholic priests would no longer be allowed to celebrate the Mass with ministers of other Christian denominations, unless this is authorised by higher authorities.

Nor, it said, will girls be able to serve at the altar. Readings from texts other than the Bible will be forbidden, as will applauding during religious services. No reasons were given for any of the various edicts.