Laity wearing a biretta

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TrevorKSorensen

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Is it be acceptable for a member of the laity to wear a biretta in public? Are there specific rules on its use?
 
It could be seen as impersonating a clergyman, which is an excommunicable offense.
 
TrevorKSorensen said:
Is it be acceptable for a member of the laity to wear a biretta in public? Are there specific rules on its use?
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You need to be a priest, bishop or cardinal to use one. In some dioceses, deacons are allowed to use it along with clerical clothing. Anyone else shouldn’t. Even a priest who is laicised (defrocked) can’t use any clerical clothing anymore.

Presumably Halloween or plays with costumes is an exception.
 
PazzoGrande said:
You need to be a priest, bishop or cardinal to use one. In some dioceses, deacons are allowed to use it along with clerical clothing. Anyone else shouldn’t. Even a priest who is laicised (defrocked) can’t use any clerical clothing anymore.

Presumably Halloween or plays with costumes is an exception.
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Some seminarians may also wear them if assisting at Mass.
 
Why would anyone want to wear that funny looking hat? At the very least, it would be a sin against good taste to wear it with ordinary clothing.
 
I personally think that a priest looks more like a priest wearing one. I am surprised more priests don’t wear them.

As for a layman wearing one… I wouldn’t. Whether it is expressly forbidden or not - I think that’s ground best not trod upon.
 
TrevorKSorensen said:
Is it be acceptable for a member of the laity to wear a biretta in public? Are there specific rules on its use?
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What would your reason / purpose / goal be in doing this? Among other negatives, it would look ridiculous with normal lay clothing.
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
What would your reason / purpose / goal be in doing this? Among other negatives, it would look ridiculous with normal lay clothing.
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I agree with you. It would be like wearing a Rosary as a headband. Not sinful but pretty stupid.
 
Since a biretta is not a customary head cover for a lay person, I think it would be just plain weird for a lay person to wear one in public.
 
rfournier103 said:
I personally think that a priest looks more like a priest wearing one. I am surprised more priests don’t wear them.

As for a layman wearing one… I wouldn’t. Whether it is expressly forbidden or not - I think that’s ground best not trod upon.
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So is that a bit like women who wear high button shoes look more like women? 😃
 
otjm said:
So is that a bit like women who wear high button shoes look more like women? 😃
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Yes; women who wear the garbs of women look more like women just as priests who wear the garbs of priests look more like priests.
 
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