There really isn’t one, modesty is a cultural term to be honest. Some of the largest reasons for Catholic conversions of natives is directly due to the fact that we possess a great appreciation and consumption of other cultural norms. But the brilliance in it is that we keep it all the same, so while you will certainly see different types of music, clothing, singing tone, parish art and appearance. The message is always the same and in the same order.I am searching for an objective and binding teaching on the standard of modesty in dress.
If you know it or how to find it, please post it in a reply to this message along with the binding source.
Thank you.
– Nicole
A judgment of the prudential order is used to decide practical questions such as the particulars of modesty in dress. There is no doctrine that will tell you exactly what the limits are. The Catholic Faith is beliefs and practices (doctrine and discipline), but the practices/disciplines are not set in stone. They can vary from time to time and place to place.I am searching for an objective and binding teaching on the standard of modesty in dress.
You should apply the same principle to your rantings on what is and is not permitted in sexual relations within marriage. Odd that you use prudential judgement here, but present as hard fact in the other threads, activities for which the Church has never clearly defined the limits, other the marital act being open to life.A judgment of the prudential order is used to decide practical questions such as the particulars of modesty in dress. There is no doctrine that will tell you exactly what the limits are. The Catholic Faith is beliefs and practices (doctrine and discipline), but the practices/disciplines are not set in stone. They can vary from time to time and place to place.
Be cautious with the use of this text. this is text that is somewhat outdated in certain respects…and is very casuistic. Can be helpful of course in some…but bear in mind its limitations and the renewal of moral theology called for with Vatican II (authentic renewal of course)i would suggest getting a book called “Moral Theology” by Fr. Heribert Jone, which is a handbook for priests on moral theology,
also check out the books on this site - www.fraternitypublications.com
the book itself does explain on that,Be cautious with the use of this text. this is text that is somewhat outdated in certain respects…and is very casuistic. Can be helpful of course in some…but bear in mind its limitations and the renewal of moral theology called for with Vatican II (authentic renewal of course)
there is more than that. I have and make use the book myself from time to time-- so I do not discount the good in it …but the Church asked for a renewal of moral theology which touches other things as well…the book itself does explain on that,
the changes have only occurred in church disciplinary laws, and have not at all changed in the areas of morality based on natural law and revelation.
so although it’s still good to be careful, there would be no problem in regards to the moral teachings of this book, and as far as the disciplinary actions are concerned, that is always up to the priest to begin with.
But some people would have their sexual appetites stimulated regardless of what you chose to wear, and there’s literaly nothing you can wear that wouldn’t stimulate SOMEONE’s sexual appetite. People have all sorts of fetishes, after all, and some would now actually find the Victorian and Edwardian long flowing dresses and skirts a turnon.As I recall, Jone’s book said that something is not modest if it stimulates others’ sexual appetite. I think this does very well in explaining it. Something that would be modest in one society is not in another. A woman dressed modestly now would get quite a different response from men if she had lived in the Nineteenth Century, when dresses went down to a woman’s ankles. The important standard is what stimulates the sexual appetite of others, when it comes to modesty.