Priests out of uniform

[PbloPicasso]

Just for cnsideration…

My dad was ordained some 28 years ago, a Deacon within the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Roman Church Sui Iuris. Archbishop Hurley, following with the advice of the USCCB, didn’t allow his permanent deacons to wear the Roman Collar.

Archbishop Schweitz, however, decided, several years in, that my dad has need of a Roman collar… for his prison ministry, as a minimum. So, after 27+ years, Dad finally got permission, and in fact, orders, to get a clerical collar shirt.

The irony: you can’t see the collar past his beard, at least not from the front.

Dad wears it for his prison ministry, and when conducting certain classes.

This is one major reason I am for deacons wearing clerics. It helps the imprisoned laity realize that the Church is looking to minister to them too. It also would be nice to repel some of the anti-Catholicism being spread by Protestant members that proselytize our Catholic brethren. I have several family members I’d end up butting heads with in prison if I get to do it one day. Lord willing.

 

[Matariel]

///What really freaks me out is a lady minister wearing the ‘blacks’. //

Yeah tell me about it. I saw a female bishop on tv, shouted “Noooooo!” and turned the tv off .

Ha, I had the same reaction when I saw a woman Episcopal priestess in clerics. A female wearing a Roman collar is an affront to Catholicism. It’s a “Roman” collar because it belongs to us Roman Catholics. So, please, Protestant denominations, come up with your own priestess apparrel.

 

[mackk]

Clerical dress and religious habits aren’t uniforms, per se. Even if they should be considered as such, would you expect Marines to be in full dress uniform all the time? The official rules and common practices for clerical dress and habits vary wildly between dioceses and religious orders. While clerics and religious, as appropriate to the traditions of their dioceses or orders, should be in distinctive dress when “on the job”, for most of them there is no need to be in clericals or in habits 24/7 or in public. When they’re acting in a clerical/religous capacity, sure. We shouldn’t expect or demand it of them during their “off duty” time. [Yes being a priest or religious is a vocation, not a career, but even the dress/habit requirements per Canon 284 don’t demand round-the-clock wearing of cassocks et al.]

no i wouldn’t expect a marine to be in uniform at all times but if a police officer is in a police car i don’t think he/she should be wearing jeans and t-shirt. i’m very new to the church and i get confused enough, I neeeeed them to be easy to distinguish from other people. besides which the habit should be encouraged to hopefully keep the priest or nun from situations that might cause troubles for them. just think it through … imagine a clean cut guy in nice clothes in a a bad part of town … the police will assume he is there for one of two reasons and neither is good. also imagine meeting a nice clean cut well spoken man who isn’t wearing a ring and getting a crush on him only to find he is married to the church. it really is better for everyone is they wear their habits. i mean a pretty nun out of her habit presents a tempting conquest for young men who might other wise treat her respectful were she in her habit.

 

[ConstantineTG]

no i wouldn’t expect a marine to be in uniform at all times but if a police officer is in a police car i don’t think he/she should be wearing jeans and t-shirt. i’m very new to the church and i get confused enough, I neeeeed them to be easy to distinguish from other people. besides which the habit should be encouraged to hopefully keep the priest or nun from situations that might cause troubles for them. just think it through … imagine a clean cut guy in nice clothes in a a bad part of town … the police will assume he is there for one of two reasons and neither is good. also imagine meeting a nice clean cut well spoken man who isn’t wearing a ring and getting a crush on him only to find he is married to the church. it really is better for everyone is they wear their habits. i mean a pretty nun out of her habit presents a tempting conquest for young men who might other wise treat her respectful were she in her habit.

On the other hand, if Father X takes his family (parents, siblings, nephews and nieces) to the mall, do you expect him to be in clerical garb?

 

[ciero]

And I believe that this will help break the idea that many laity have that a priest is working/oncall 24/7.

A priest is a priest ALL the time, and should therefor dress like one any and every time he is in public. He dosent stop being a priest just because he is taking a day off. Its time our priests stop seeing their priesthood as a job and start embracing their vocation. I remember the days when you would never see a priest who wasnt dressed in a cassock, this degenerated to a black suit with dog tag collar, and now to whatever.

 

[ciero]

On the other hand, if Father X takes his family (parents, siblings, nephews and nieces) to the mall, do you expect him to be in clerical garb?

Yes!

 

[ciero]

Ha, I had the same reaction when I saw a woman Episcopal priestess in clerics. A female wearing a Roman collar is an affront to Catholicism. It’s a “Roman” collar because it belongs to us Roman Catholics. So, please, Protestant denominations, come up with your own priestess apparrel.

First off, what Episcopal priests and priestesses wear is the Anglican collar, look closer next time you see one it is a little different then a roman collar. And what is normally called a roman collar (black shirt with the little white tab in front) is not the roman collar. A roman collar is a white neck piece going completely around the neck covered with a black collar.

 

[ciero]

While these two examples are great, they are not the whole story.

As a religious I respectfully disagree with your opinion.

This thread seems to be just another case of the laity trying to push their wants and needs onto religious rather than respecting us and our ways of life.

Since when is it a vowed religious’ way of life to take off their habits and wear civies?

Sounds like MODERNISM to me.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

On the other hand, if Father X takes his family (parents, siblings, nephews and nieces) to the mall, do you expect him to be in clerical garb?

No! I think it’s interesting how the laiety wants to put everything on the priest, like he is 24/7. Even the Pope says they need to take a day off every week.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Since when is it a vowed religious’ way of life to take off their habits and wear civies?

Sounds like MODERNISM to me.

Wow…your answer sounds disrespectful to me…

 

[GwenL]

While these two examples are great, they are not the whole story.

As a religious I respectfully disagree with your opinion.

This thread seems to be just another case of the laity trying to push their wants and needs onto religious rather than respecting us and our ways of life.

I don’t see anywhere in this thread where the laity is pushing their wants and needs onto religious. I also don’t see anywhere that the laity is showing disrespect for the religious and their way of life.

When I see a religious or priest in habit or collar, in the world, it is a source of great respect and joy for me. I think that wearing a habit or collar is a tremendous witness for Christ in the world.

Please tell me how that is pushing my “needs” onto anybody, or “disrespecting” anybody?

You also said that this thread is “another” case. Where are the other cases?

I know a little bit about wearing a uniform in public. I served 26+ years in the USAF. Despite some things reported on this thread, I was never restricted from wearing the uniform in the U.S. (we were “discouraged” during the start of Desert Storm) and was restricted from wearing the uniform overseas only in specific areas at times of heightened tension. I know what it is like to be stared at, to be “on display,” and to have every move judged critically. Part of the calling, IMHO.

 

[JHow]

I did once run into my pastor in civvies at Borders bookstore. There was that flash of recognition “Father X!” I did not fail to notice that he was in the “Religion” section of the store. I commented, and he laughed and “Yes, I can’t get away from it!”

 

[kozlosap]

no i wouldn’t expect a marine to be in uniform at all times but if a police officer is in a police car i don’t think he/she should be wearing jeans and t-shirt. i’m very new to the church and i get confused enough, I neeeeed them to be easy to distinguish from other people. besides which the habit should be encouraged to hopefully keep the priest or nun from situations that might cause troubles for them. just think it through … imagine a clean cut guy in nice clothes in a a bad part of town … the police will assume he is there for one of two reasons and neither is good. also imagine meeting a nice clean cut well spoken man who isn’t wearing a ring and getting a crush on him only to find he is married to the church. it really is better for everyone is they wear their habits. i mean a pretty nun out of her habit presents a tempting conquest for young men who might other wise treat her respectful were she in her habit.

" i mean a pretty nun out of her habit presents a tempting conquest for young men who might other wise treat her respectful were she in her habit."

No, you really didn’t just type those words!!!

 

[Matariel]

First off, what Episcopal priests and priestesses wear is the Anglican collar, look closer next time you see one it is a little different then a roman collar. And what is normally called a roman collar (black shirt with the little white tab in front) is not the roman collar. A roman collar is a white neck piece going completely around the neck covered with a black collar.

I used to be an Anglican, and their collars looked the same as a Catholic Roman collar.

 

[ciero]

I used to be an Anglican, and their collars looked the same as a Catholic Roman collar.

An Anglican collar is actually taller then the Roman collar and the white part exposed in the from is larger. Similar but different.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Since when is it a vowed religious’ way of life to take off their habits and wear civies?

Sounds like MODERNISM to me.

Show me in the constitutions of my order where what you want is require.

It is getting very tiring of hearing lay people cry about this and try to force us into what they want rather than allowing us to follow our rules, our constitutions, and what the Church allows.

Those are the authority, not you.

Wow…your answer sounds disrespectful to me…

Which is why he has not moved to the ignore list.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I don’t see anywhere in this thread where the laity is pushing their wants and needs onto religious. I also don’t see anywhere that the laity is showing disrespect for the religious and their way of life.

When I see a religious or priest in habit or collar, in the world, it is a source of great respect and joy for me. I think that wearing a habit or collar is a tremendous witness for Christ in the world.

Please tell me how that is pushing my “needs” onto anybody, or “disrespecting” anybody?

You also said that this thread is “another” case. Where are the other cases?

I know a little bit about wearing a uniform in public. I served 26+ years in the USAF. Despite some things reported on this thread, I was never restricted from wearing the uniform in the U.S. (we were “discouraged” during the start of Desert Storm) and was restricted from wearing the uniform overseas only in specific areas at times of heightened tension. I know what it is like to be stared at, to be “on display,” and to have every move judged critically. Part of the calling, IMHO.

You need to read the posts on this thread and also search out this topic on the forum as it is one of the regulars that pops up every couple of months.

But here are a few posts for you.

A priest is a priest ALL the time, and should therefor dress like one any and every time he is in public. He dosent stop being a priest just because he is taking a day off. Its time our priests stop seeing their priesthood as a job and start embracing their vocation. I remember the days when you would never see a priest who wasnt dressed in a cassock, this degenerated to a black suit with dog tag collar, and now to whatever.

ConstantineTG;7345577:

On the other hand, if Father X takes his family (parents, siblings, nephews and nieces) to the mall, do you expect him to be in clerical garb?

Yes!

Since when is it a vowed religious’ way of life to take off their habits and wear civies?

Sounds like MODERNISM to me.

 

[mackk]

On the other hand, if Father X takes his family (parents, siblings, nephews and nieces) to the mall, do you expect him to be in clerical garb?

Try to be patient you all know i’m learning …
but
if i make it all the way thru to the land of Catholicism. and i’m (heaven forbid) in a wreck. does a priest just walk away if it is his day off or will he give me the last rite biznez? if he is in lay clothing how will i know he is really a priest and not some wacko playing pretend ? if I am supposed to just take his word then i can just accept absolution from anybody who claims priest hood? Or do they carry some kind of ID card? if they do in my dieing moment am i expected to check his ID?
i want to be clear that i do not think they should be with out personal time . it’s not that i think they shouldn’t be allowed to wear civies. i just am not sure how i am supposed to know with out the habit
also if went through school to be a priest i would be proud to wear my habit … just as i would be proud to wear my fatigues if i were a soldier or my white robe were i a doctor. I don’t really understand why everyone is acting as if the collar is lined in spikes… i realize there are down sides to wearing a habit but … it is supposed to be an outward sign of your (a priest, nun, monk) devotion to religious life and god isn’t it? .

 

[mackk]

" i mean a pretty nun out of her habit presents a tempting conquest for young men who might other wise treat her respectful were she in her habit."

No, you really didn’t just type those words!!!

I did type those words … please don’t misunderstand i’m not trying to be foul. i’m not sure where you live but that is the world i live in sugar . those are valid fears …
and next time you want to chastise me for saying something please take time to explain yourself …

 

[stormy99]

First post, so I apologize for any mistakes in protocol.

Growing up I used to remember that priests wore their black shirt and white collar all the time, just as nuns did. It distinguished them as officials of the Catholic church and reminded us to be the same. Nowadays, I rarely see this and sometimes am surprised a priest from my parish could be standing in line right next to me and I wouldn’t know it.

What are the rules about the clergy and uniforms outside of the mass and does the Church not encourage that they be worn?

Thanks.

FKB

**One of our parish priest always wears his collar and the other doesn’t…off duty that is…perhaps one thinks he is never off duty and the other one thinks it doesn’t matter what he wears…on duty yes he does…but often wears causal clothes…either way who cares?

stormy**