CIM supports the altar servers pastoral in all European countries

We are convinced that the altar servers pastoral is a important part of youth pastoral, a children and youth pastoral, which would be possible in every parish.

The parish is first of all the place where altar servers pastoral has to be done. The parishes accept thankfully the following services given from outside (diocese, region):
Formation of leading, elderly altar servers, formation of heads or assistants of altar servers. Books and other publications regarding altar servers pastoral and liturgical services of altar servers. All about meetings at the deanery, at the diocese, at the own country or all about international meetings, especially concerning the CIM pilgrimage to Rome.

CIM worries about the following points

1. Are altar servers everywhere accompanied in a sufficient way? Which support need national authorities to care about altar servers pastoral? CIM offers interesting impulses and experiences made in different European countries.
2. How to entitle suitably altar servers?
   In Europe exist different names which should be discussed basically:
   "Ministranten" – "Messdiener" – "Akolythen" – "Enfangs de choer" – "Servants de messe" – "Chierichetti" – "Monoguillos".
3. Age of our altar servers
   In certain countries, altar servers have only the age of children. The altar service remains important even at the age of 12 years or older. The altar service is not only a children’s job! How to make sure that altar servers maintain this service after passing childhood?
4. Girls do not rend this service in all European countries. Which are the advantages, which are the eventual disadvantages of female altar servers?
5. Which is the relation of altar servers pastoral to vocations pastoral?
6. Which are the main points and aims of altar servers pastoral in the different countries?
   - liturgy?
   - youth pastoral?
   - vocations pastoral?
7. In these countries, how will be handled the formation, the encouragement, the accompaniment and support of altar servers pastoral? Which improvements can be done?
8. Which would be the easiest way for CIM to collaborate and to get in touch with the different countries?