Priests in clericals

[ozmatt]

I’m aware that this may just be a regional thing, (I’m based in Australia) but I dont think I’ve ever seen a priest (other than those elevated to the episcopate) wearing clericals in public. Certainly never in cassock/soutane outside of official portraiture. My local bishop is in fact the only priest I’ve seen wearing the roman collar in public. They’re always well dressed in collared shirts with inconspicuous crosses or crucifixes, but never dressed in roman collar or cassock in public, even at church events or in hospitals.

Is this the case elsewhere? I know most forum members are based in the states. I guess for practicalities sake cassock is not always the best idea, especially in warmer climes. Furthermore, Christianity is not really worn on the sleeve here as much as it is in the States and elsewhere: we’re relatively much more secular.

I guess my second question is: is this at all worrying/saddening/disconcerting to people? That for whatever reason, our priests are unwilling to make a profound physical expression of their vocation in terms of dress? Indeed this puts them at the possible risk of insults etc, but at the same time I would see it as an expression of their willingness to be “on duty” all the time, and people who need help and identify them by their dress will be able to speak to them. I think dressing in clericals is an opportunity for enhanced ministry which our priests are missing out on. What are your thoughts?

 

[lak611]

Most priests around here wear a suit (black) with a clerical shirt and Roman collar. A few wear a cassock. The former associate pastor at my parish reported to duty in a cassock with a biretta. He has since been transferred to another parish. He is a wonderful priest. I went to Confession to him when I had been away from the Church for 5 years (not practicing any religion). I was scared, but he said “welcome back”. Since that time, I have taken adult education classes, joined a Bible study, volunteered at an ecumenical mission meal for the poor and become an EMHC. This priest helped me to do all of these things. :bible1:

 

[Unexpected_Dawn]

Most priests I’ve seen at least wear clerical shirts and Roman collars. Some wear suit jackets as well. I recently saw a young priest wearing a cassock in public (in an airport food court, of all places)! It made me feel so happy! I admired how he witnessed to his faith–not only by his dress, but by his demeanor and the way he blessed himself and his food. He had a very peaceful and dignified presence. On the other hand, it also made me aware, and rather ashamed, of all the times I’ve tried to hide my faith.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Soneone once pointed out that when a police officer stops you he walks up to your car in a spotless uniform with shining leather boots and belt, a large shiny badge, an array of things in his belt. Would you be as impressed if he wor a torn tee shirt, jeans and ripped up sneakers?

A judge is much more impressive sitting at the bench in a black robe than sitting behind a desk in a sports shirt.

When I worked in Aerospace research I always wore a tie and had a jacket at hand in case a customer showed up. I needed to come across as a professional, not a mad scientist.

Authority must show it symbols if it wishes to be respected. That’s why the symbols are there.

 

[zagjames]

Most of the Jesuits at my school dont wear the collar on a regular basis. Some do, but most just wear a sweater or a dress shirt. We have one Dominican here who likes to wear his clericals from time to time, but also will dress as a lay person sometimes too.

Seeing Priests wearing Clericals, Nuns wearing Habits, etc. is really great, it reminds you you need to witness your faith in public.

 

[acadian]

My previous pastor, I have only seen twice in “regular clothes” during the 5 years or so I knew him at our parish. My current pastor, I have only seen in clerics. However, we rarely see them outside the context of church or church business. We have taken our previous pastor to eat a couple of times, but it has always been immediately following Mass. He still has his clerics on, though he might unbutton the collar and be a little more inconspicuous.

With all the hours I have spent at WalMart and the grocery store, I have NEVER seen a priest (in clerics) in those locations. Surely priests shop? Or maybe I’ve just never noticed them because they’re wearing street clothes??

 

[turtle18]

I saw my pastor the other day wearing a beret and leather jacket & I’m sure if I saw him out in public, I would remember because there are very few men in my city that dress like that.

 

[jmcrae]

I’m aware that this may just be a regional thing, (I’m based in Australia) but I dont think I’ve ever seen a priest (other than those elevated to the episcopate) wearing clericals in public.

Ours do, when they are around the Church and when they are doing Church-related work, or attending a Church-related function. Not when they are out gardening, or going shopping, etc., though.