Latin Priests and the Pectoral Cross

[nysacerdote]

This custom is seen more in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Rite Churches, but would it be permissible for a Latin Rite priest to wear a pectoral cross?

Current custom for the Latin is that the pectoral cross is restricted to bishops. If I understand correctly, in the Eastern rites, priests can only wear a pectoral cross if it awarded to them by their bishop. Would a Latin Rite priest be able to wear one without the permission of his bishop or ordinary, is permission required, or is simply not done?

Of course the pectoral cross is not necessary, and given the tendency of the Holy Father, I would suspect that if this is allowed, it would now be frowned upon. I was just curious about this matter.

 

[L_Marshall]

This custom is seen more in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Rite Churches, but would it be permissible for a Latin Rite priest to wear a pectoral cross?

Current custom for the Latin is that the pectoral cross is restricted to bishops. If I understand correctly, in the Eastern rites, priests can only wear a pectoral cross if it awarded to them by their bishop. Would a Latin Rite priest be able to wear one without the permission of his bishop or ordinary, is permission required, or is simply not done?

Of course the pectoral cross is not necessary, and given the tendency of the Holy Father, I would suspect that if this is allowed, it would now be frowned upon. I was just curious about this matter.

It depends precisely how one would interpret “pectoral cross.”

If we’re speaking of a large, metal cross, I think this is not allowed. This is a sign of the episcopacy (not including some religious orders), and should be avoided.

Some priests wear much smaller, wooden crosses which fit tightly around the collar of the shirt. While this is not as objectionable, I still think that this is not the best practice, it looks very Protestant in my opinion.

 

[nysacerdote]

I spoke of the former.

 

[TimothyH]

It depends precisely how one would interpret “pectoral cross.”

If we’re speaking of a large, metal cross, I think this is not allowed. This is a sign of the episcopacy (not including some religious orders), and should be avoided.

Some priests wear much smaller, wooden crosses which fit tightly around the collar of the shirt. While this is not as objectionable, I still think that this is not the best practice, it looks very Protestant in my opinion.

The wooden cross without the corpse is often worn or carried to remind the wearer that the body which belongs on the cross is their own.

*When you see a poor wooden Cross, alone, uncared-for, and of no value… and without its Crucified, don’t forget that that Cross is your Cross: the Cross of each day, the hidden Cross, without splendour or consolation…, the Cross which is awaiting the Crucified it lacks: and that Crucified must be you.

• St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way 178*

Many members of Opus Dei carry small black wooden crosses sans corpus in their pocket. It is not Protestant at all. It reminds the wearer to take up his own cross. Think lent and Holy Thursday…

-Tim-

 

[twf]

The wooden cross without the corpse is often worn or carried to remind the wearer that the body which belongs on the cross is their own.

When you see a poor wooden Cross, alone, uncared-for, and of no value… and without its Crucified, don’t forget that that Cross is your Cross: the Cross of each day, the hidden Cross, without splendour or consolation…, the Cross which is awaiting the Crucified it lacks: and that Crucified must be you.

• St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way 178

Many members of Opus Dei carry small black wooden crosses sans corpus in their pocket. It is not Protestant at all. It reminds the wearer to take up his own cross. Think lent and Holy Thursday…

-Tim-

Not only that, but it is also a Franciscan tradition to have unadorned crosses in their houses for the same reason. St. Josemaria’s quote above actually strikes me as very Franciscan.

The ancient Assyrian / Chaldean tradition also favors an unadorned cross - though I believe many Chaldean Catholics today do have crucifixes, but this is more of a Latinization.

 

[janeway529]

Many priests in the tropical countries like Philippines and those in Latin America wear small crosses sans corpus over their nice shirts (not clerical ones).

 

[Filii_Dei]

Many priests do wear a small cross or crucifix, but I don’t consider them the same as they are worn around and close to the neck - and should be called a ‘cervical cross’ if anything - as opposed to a pectoral cross which is much larger and hung right in front of the chest. Because of their size and position, they are visually very different and there should not be any source of confusion.