Priests Allowed to Wear Earrings?!?!

[loyola_rambler]

Chickamauga:

From what I’ve heard (and I ain’t no expert) it depends on what coast you are on. I’ve heard that the left/right ear thing is reversed depending if you are on the East Coast or West Coast.

Wonder if that explains all the men in Chicago who pierce both ears…

 

[Flluffycat]

I try not to get too judgemental about things that don’t really matter. And I don’t think earrings on a priest are on a par with world peace, war in the middle east, etc.

 

[missionary_mom]

I take an exception to earrings, hula skirts and tangos. I went to a wedding, where the friar, a Franciscan, wore the hula skirt and danced. He was not, wearing his robes. At Mass, he changes the Words of Consecration and is liberal in his views on several subjects not to mention the configuration of the church.
It may not be a sin for a priest or friar to wear earrings, but I think there is something below the surface that may not be healthy.
I do think the Bishop on the motorcycle is too cool!

 

[Antonio_B]

Fortiterinre:

Today I was privileged to witness the election of officers for the Secular Franciscan Order fraternity I am a candidate to join, and it was a moving experience. However, I was annoyed and rather disgusted to notice that the (thank God visiting) Franciscan friar who served as the official witness of the election had a diamond and gold pierced earring stud in his left ear. He was wearing a traditional Franciscan habit as were the other friars, which made the earring all the more glaring. Aside from the obvious question of how someone who publicly professes a vow of poverty flaunts such jewelry, how does he get away with this? I know that I am a dinosaur and that the whole issue of men wearing an earring does not necessarily have the lurid sexual connotation it once did, but I think it is especially gross for a priest to do this. As recently as a few years ago I’ve heard of diocesan bishops telling priests they could not drive sports cars or motorcycles, it just looked bad, and this “looks” ten times worse to me. Has anyone else seen this? I see so much wonderful reform in the life of the clergy that at least this is a rare disappointment in my neck of the woods!

Somehow, I don’t think St. Francis would approved!

Antonio

 

[Mfaustina1]

Why not just ASK the priest why he sports earrings? Last time I checked, that wasn’t a sin. Better to ask than assume.

Briancrane- Your comment on the external changing the internal kindof miffed me but then I think I can understand your concerns. However, I am a female with a full 3/4 “sleeve” of tattoos covering my right arm. I became Catholic AFTER I got them.

Tattoos, earrings, body piercings, NONE of these things are bad in of themselves in my own private opinion. It’s what they represent or say about you since they ARE a form of self-expression that counts. They are not automatic signs of a bad person. Troubled maybe, but probably pretty darned good overall. Trust my opinion on this. -Charitably yours, Mfaustina1

 

[Brian_Crane]

Mfaustina1:

Briancrane- Your comment on the external changing the internal kindof miffed me but then I think I can understand your concerns. However, I am a female with a full 3/4 “sleeve” of tattoos covering my right arm. I became Catholic AFTER I got them.

I know of a priest who has tats all over his arms as well. You can see them during mass. He became a priest late in life, after he acquired them. No problem.

In the same vein, I don’t have a problem with a priest who USED TO wear an earring. But I do have a problem with one who presently chooses to wear it. I definitely would ask this priest why, as you suggest. But what would the reason be other than vanity or heaven forbid, some sexual statement? Some may think its ok for priests to be vain in this manner. I don’t.

Mfaustina1:

Tattoos, earrings, body piercings, NONE of these things are bad in of themselves in my own private opinion. It’s what they represent or say about you since they ARE a form of self-expression that counts.They are not automatic signs of a bad person. Troubled maybe, but probably pretty darned good overall. Trust my opinion on this.

Counts for what? Does God care about us expressing ourselves in this manner? No, he cares if we express ourselves by getting on our knees and worshipping him, and praying for souls. I would dare to say, the more we eschew such self expression, the more He is pleased. I agree, they are not automatic signs of a bad person. Troubled maybe, as you say. But “probably pretty darned good overall”? Come on. You are probably a great person. You may know some people with piercings and tats who are nice people. So do I. I’d like to trust your opinion, but I don’t think you can make a blanket statement that people who do this (or do anything else) are “pretty darned good overall.” We may have a different definition of good. Why not just say then , we are ALL probably “pretty darned good overall?” --Charitably yours as well–BC

 

[BayCityRickL]

Well, we dinosaurs are not extinct, after all.

Why not, in fact, let’s INSIST that all priests be tatooed and have big mustaches and jewelry, by all means.

that’s my answer, all or none.

 

[Teresa9]

Dear friends

A Catholic Priest can give you more than any pastor or minister on this earth, he gives you absolution and Christ in His Real Presence. Why are you worrying about a Priests dress code? I think the heart of a Priest and his vocation of life dedicated to Christ and to the service of God’s children is far more imperative than if he wears an earring. There is so much wrong about this world, that the wearing of an earring is insignificant. The Priests ability to be ‘another Christ’ for you is not impaired by this and you still do infact receive the Real Presence and absolution because of his vocation in the Priesthood; earring or no earring.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa

 

[bones_IV]

All I can say is that ear piercing for men in general is totally out of the question. I personally think that these men do it for personal gratification. Given our free thinking society today people have the roles of men and women confused! Not only that, you also take into account the bad influence of the culture of death with this looking quote “looking bad image” which only promotes hate, violence, destruction. Especially with the pop culture, hedonistic hollywood and the lying media. These days you could a guy wear earrings and you would think he’s a women. As far as earrings on priests goes the answer is simply no! PRAY FOR THESE PRIESTS WHO DO THIS! The church teaches us to respect our bodies and priests wearing earrings is not one of them and is never morally permissable.

 

[Brian_Crane]

Teresa9:

Why are you worrying about a Priests dress code? I think the heart of a Priest and his vocation of life dedicated to Christ and to the service of God’s children is far more imperative than if he wears an earring. There is so much wrong about this world, that the wearing of an earring is insignificant.

Given that there is so much wrong about this world, do you think there should even be a dress code for priests? Is there anything you would consider significant? A nose ring?, a mohawk?, a tongue stud? as long you receive the Real Presence.

I maintain the opposite. The fact that there is so much wrong about this world is precisely the reason that priests should shun such self expression. The priest should be THE ROCK, and the parish should be the sanctuary from the decadent indulgence of the outside world.

 

[ridesawhitehors]

Don’t want to sound scadalous but…

I know a young priest with a soul patch, pony tail, and an earring would fit him well. I would describe him as probably one of the most masculine looking priests I have ever seen and he is very successful in reaching young men.
I don’t have any problem with a modest earring, a tattoo, pony tail, facial hair, etc… if they are orthodox, holy, and love God and the Church.

Generally, I think it is silly to focus on these peripherials.
HOWEVER… a Franciscan monk is a different story. If you are taking a vow to live the lifestyle of St. Francis… a diamond earring is a bit outside of the expression of simplicity.

 

[Caelicola]

Somehow I don’t think I mind an earring for a Franciscan. They aren’t, to my understanding, actually monks per se, but friars. They’re supposed to be out there in the world a bit. Now, I think it would be out of line for a Benedictine.

How is that for splitting hairs?

 

[Teresa9]

Brian Crane:

Given that there is so much wrong about this world, do you think there should even be a dress code for priests? Is there anything you would consider significant? A nose ring?, a mohawk?, a tongue stud? as long you receive the Real Presence.

I maintain the opposite. The fact that there is so much wrong about this world is precisely the reason that priests should shun such self expression. The priest should be THE ROCK, and the parish should be the sanctuary from the decadent indulgence of the outside world.

Dearest Brian

If you are involved in a disaster and you are dying and a Priest comes to you with an earring, will you yell…‘send me a Priest without an earring it is offensive to me?’

Priests are human, they are people and they sin. They are people with a deep love of God who have given up ALL of their life in service to God and His children. If you want to measure the capability of a Priest to serve His vocation based on whether he wears an earring or not, do that, but I personally don’t think it matters.

You seem to think the wearing of an earring is the start of some awful rot within the Priesthood, this is rather alarmist to me. The Priesthood is scrutinised beyond belief and to be honest it must be one of the hardest times for a man to be a Priest in these times. I think rather than blatant criticism, they require more love and support than ever before. These times are times of bringing down of people whatever they do, people are built up and then pulled down just as fast, we see this everyday in the media, this to me is the largest rot and evil in the world. We should be a people of encouragement, not of critcism over something that bears no relevance. Why don’t you ask the Priest what sort of underwear he chhoses to see if that is to satisfaction also? If I sound annoyed, I am. Love, capability and mercy is not measured on the look of a person, it is within their hearts. If you judge by appearance…‘they look Holy enough’ you may well be deceived by that way of seeing things. I suppose someone dirty or with shabby clothes is not good enough either, an ex drug addict with track marks/ an ex alcoholic with obvious physical signs of their past who converts and becomes a Priest, someone poor,without money, someone who’s hair is too long or too short…

I only hope the Lord is not judgemental with people when they meet Him as people are with each other.

God Bless you and much love and peace to you

Teresa

 

[Teresa9]

Dearest all

I am sorry for being annoyed, now I will say…when posting on any topic, it would be better if we…

Post in love or don’t post at all

God Bless you and much love and peace to you all

Teresa

 

[Brian_Crane]

Teresa9:

Dearest Brian
If you are involved in a disaster and you are dying and a Priest comes to you with an earring, will you yell…‘send me a Priest without an earring it is offensive to me?’

No.

Teresa9:

Priests are human, they are people and they sin. They are people with a deep love of God who have given up ALL of their life in service to God and His children.

Agreed (at least most of them, I’d like to think).

Teresa9:

If you want to measure the capability of a Priest to serve His vocation based on whether he wears an earring or not, do that, but I personally don’t think it matters.

I certainly wouldn’t base it solely on the earring, but it would raise warning flags for me. If it wouldn’t for you, so be it.

Teresa9:

Love, capability and mercy is not measured on the look of a person, it is within their hearts. If you judge by appearance…‘they look Holy enough’ you may well be deceived by that way of seeing things.

Agreed.

Teresa9:

I suppose someone dirty or with shabby clothes is not good enough either, an ex drug addict with track marks/ an ex alcoholic with obvious physical signs of their past who converts and becomes a Priest, someone poor,without money, someone who’s hair is too long or too short…

Go sell that **** somewhere else Teresa. I stated before in this very thread that I know a priest who has tatoos on his arms and I have no problem with that. He became a priest later in life. Here is the quote in case you didn’t see it: “I know of a priest who has tats all over his arms as well. You can see them during mass. He became a priest late in life, after he acquired them. No problem.”
Don’t try to make the leap from my views of a priest with an earring, a concious, present day **CHOICE **he made for some reason, to saying that certain people are not good enough for me. I can’t tell you how p.o.'d this makes me.

Teresa, I will ask again. Is there anything about what a priest wears, or how he conducts himself that would give you pause? Anything?

I understand you were annoyed, but at what I’m not so sure. I am annoyed at this moment as well. I will get over it shortly, I’m sure. I wish you peace as well. Pax Domini Sit Semper Vobiscum!

 

[Teresa9]

We do not have to agree on what each other thinks, but we do have to be civil and respect each others opinions whether that opinion a person holds appears to be right or wrong to the other person.

My sincere apologies if I have offended you with my opinion, but I remain resolute in it, that the wearing of an earring does not affect a Priests ministry to the Church and to the people.

Thank you for your comments.

God Bless all of you and much love and peace to you

Teresa

 

[Lurch104]

I think we are all missing the most important point here…The motorcycle shown in the photo is a (gasp ) HONDA, not a Harley.

Lets get our priorities straight here!

Lurch
-Motorcycle Nut at Large

 

[Go_Irish]

I was at the gym one day and this hulking, bodybuilder type was doing lat pulldowns next to me. He actually looked like he was a competitive bodybuilder- big and cut. He was wearing shorts and a small, skin tight white tank. I heard some guys whispering next to me that the guy was a priest. I thought, “no way.” Well, a little while later a young lady walked past him and said, “Hello, Father Graham.” It was Father Michael Graham, the president of Xavier University (Cincy, Ohio). I couldn’t believe it. And, oh yeah, he was wearing an earring too. I was uncomfortable with the image he was putting out there.

Irish: 100
Stanford: 0