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pinctor
Guest
Fifty and more years ago secular clergy (though not religious) were forbidden to attend theatrical events. This rule held in England. Is it still in force? If not when was it relaxed?
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april32010
Guest
they can go as long as they wear their cassock.
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ConstantineTG
Guest
Why? I am pretty sure they do not.
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Cat
Guest
I 'm pretty certain that priests are allowed to attend the theater. Our priest is an orthodox, conservative priest in a diocese that is also orthodox and conservative. In October, he’s leading a group of people on a bus tour to see The Screwtape Letters, a one-man play that he has seen before.
Such a rule might have existed back in the 1800s or earlier, when the theater had a sordid reputation.
Such a rule might have existed back in the 1800s or earlier, when the theater had a sordid reputation.
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Mrs_Sally
Guest
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triumphguy
Guest
Talk about a dry sense of humour!
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Corki
Guest
Each Bishop sets his own rules regarding clerical dress for the secular priests in his diocese. Priests in our diocese are never required to wear a cassock.
As for the theater, yes, priests are allowed to go to the theater.
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JReducation
Guest
That was probably a local regulation. It certainly has never been a universal regulation. At one time, the theater was viewed as vulgar, especially in England. It was commonly known that the upper classes went to the theater to see and be seen, especially during the Regency period. They usually sat in their boxes and mingled during the intermission.
The common folks sat on the orchestra level. It was usually a place where women would peddle their wares and men would pay the price.
No one paid particular attention to what was happening on stage.
Gradually, the theater recovered its dignity as an art form and theaters were no longer places where the rich went to display their wealth and the lower classes to display their “you know.” There was good reason for bishops to prohibit the theater.
This regulation never existed in the USA. Theater in the USA is younger than in Europe. By the time that it takes hold here, the vulgarity of the audience has waned.
Remember the rule of thumb. A secular priest is a secular Catholic. The Church has no more authority over his personal life than it does over any other employee of the Church.
I think that we get confused in dealing with secular priests become we see them as consecrated men, which they are not. We tend to look at them as not being part of the secular world, which they are, as is any non religious Catholic. We tend to interpret the theology of the priesthood as meaning that the priest is someone who is no longer allowed to enjoy the good things that the world has to offer, which is not what theology says at all.
While a priest is someone who is set apart by God to sanctify his people, preach and govern in Persona Christi, he is not deprived of the normal things of life. It’s really up to him how much he wants to sacrifice.
Take two wonderful examples of priests who loved the theater and other performing arts: Bl. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. Both have been enthusiastic patrons of theater. Very often, plays are put on at different basilicas in Rome or at the Vatican and the popes attend them, as well as operas, which are another form of the performing arts. They don’t attend the physical theater for security reasons.
These regulations do not apply to religious communities or secular orders. Each has its own statutes on the matter.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, FFV
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april32010
Guest
Br.JR,but what about the cassock?These regulations do not apply to religious communities or secular orders. Each has its own statutes on the matter.Fraternally,Br. JR, FFV
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april32010
Guest
apologies for the off topic banter 
, was in reference to this thread , forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=9740005#post9740005
, was in reference to this thread , forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=9740005#post9740005
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JReducation
Guest
The cassock? That may be a good day to send it to the dry cleaners.Br.JR,but what about the cassock?
Fraternally,
Br. JR, FFV
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TrueLight
Guest
A priest told me a beautiful story about how he and a few other priests went to see For Greater Glory in full cassocks.
After the movie ended, when the lights came on, the moviegoers, noticed the priests sitting in their chairs.
Quite a number of them (mostly young people) came up to them and ask if they could confess.
So right in the theater, a confession line formed. The priests pulled out their small stoles from their pockets and began hearing confessions.
Finally, one of the theater staffed came over and said, “Um…excuse me but we have to like… clean the theater before the next showing.”
And thus ended the confessions.
How awesome!
After the movie ended, when the lights came on, the moviegoers, noticed the priests sitting in their chairs.
Quite a number of them (mostly young people) came up to them and ask if they could confess.
So right in the theater, a confession line formed. The priests pulled out their small stoles from their pockets and began hearing confessions.
Finally, one of the theater staffed came over and said, “Um…excuse me but we have to like… clean the theater before the next showing.”
And thus ended the confessions.
How awesome!
J
JReducation
Guest
What a great story. Thanks for sharing it.A priest told me a beautiful story about how he and a few other priests went to see For Greater Glory in full cassocks.
After the movie ended, when the lights came on, the moviegoers, noticed the priests sitting in their chairs.
Quite a number of them (mostly young people) came up to them and ask if they could confess.
So right in the theater, a confession line formed. The priests pulled out their small stoles from their pockets and began hearing confessions.
Finally, one of the theater staffed came over and said, “Um…excuse me but we have to like… clean the theater before the next showing.”
And thus ended the confessions.
How awesome!
Fraternally,
Br. JR, FFV
M
Mrs_Sally
Guest
What a wonderful story!A priest told me a beautiful story about how he and a few other priests went to see For Greater Glory in full cassocks.
After the movie ended, when the lights came on, the moviegoers, noticed the priests sitting in their chairs.
Quite a number of them (mostly young people) came up to them and ask if they could confess.
So right in the theater, a confession line formed. The priests pulled out their small stoles from their pockets and began hearing confessions.
Finally, one of the theater staffed came over and said, “Um…excuse me but we have to like… clean the theater before the next showing.”
And thus ended the confessions.
How awesome!
Now when folks talk about accidently genuflecting when entering the row at a theater, we can all assume they thought they were going to confession!
J
JReducation
Guest
This reminds me of one of our Capuchin friars. The tradition among Capuchin Franciscans is not to genuflect, but to gon down on one knee and kiss the floor. There was a very old friar who was taken to a movie. As soon as they located their row, the went down and kiss the theater floor.What a wonderful story!
Now when folks talk about accidently genuflecting when entering the row at a theater, we can all assume they thought they were going to confession!
Fraternally,
Br. JR, FFV
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