Priests out of uniform

[fkb]

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

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

The Code of Canon Law says this.
Can. 284 Clerics are to wear suitable ecclesiastical dress, in accordance with the norms established by the Episcopal Conference and legitimate local custom.
I believe that most would consider it a “local custom” that they must dress this way while ministering. That when they are “off the clock”, so to speak, that they are not required to dress in this manner.

 

[catholictiger]

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

i don’'t know if this is in cannon law but Its my personal opinion anytime you will be in public meaning you should be wearing your uniform whatever that may be. There could be minor exceptions but mainly if you are going into a public place you sould be wearing your uniform again what ever that may be.

 

[Rascalking]

Great question.

I remember seeing a priest enter a hospital to preform last rites in blue jeans and a polo shirt. I thought it was odd, but he was still a priest, so whatever.

 

[SKWill]

i don’'t know if this is in cannon law but Its my personal opinion anytime you will be in public meaning you should be wearing your uniform whatever that may be. There could be minor exceptions but mainly if you are going into a public place you sould be wearing your uniform again what ever that may be.

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.]

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

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.]

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

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

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

WARNING! PERSONAL OPINIONS BELOW!!!

When a priest receives his ordination he is saying that he is giving his life, his entire life, to God for God’s use. I think that priests should look more to someone like St. Vianney and less to Protestant preachers for “personal time” allowances.

Again, personal opinion only and thus, weightless statements, but they are mine and I like them

 

[HAnne]

This topic interests me highly in general - but allow me to point out a particularly successful parish during the late 1990s/early 2000s from my home area in the midWest.

At the time, I was the half-sister and daughter of 2 Catholics, very active in the parish of my father and brother despite not being Catholic myself, and engaged to a Catholic man. This is the story of my “beginnings” at that parish and will explain how I eventually became involved. Were it NOT for this positive experience, I would not even remotely be pursuing becoming a Catholic now.

I will never forget Father Brian of that parish. I met him not as a priest, but a fellow human being at a social gathering for the kids where we were raising money for the parochial school. He was wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt (that the kids had made especially for him for the event). He was laughing and enjoying the festivities of the day. I had NO idea who he was, he looked like someone’s grandpa and was having a wonderful time. I was working at a booth for my brother’s class taking my Dad’s shift as he was called out on an emergency fire call.

The gentleman in question came over to my booth and purchased tickets for some of the events. We didn’t bother with introductions, just talked and laughed about the kids and how much fun everyone was having. It wasn’t until later in the evening when he was “announced” and brought up on the stage that I found out he was the parish priest.

Father Brian and I became friends that day. He was the first Catholic outside of my father and brother to not put up a “Protestant” barrier. He encouraged me to be part of their lives, dried my tears when my grandmother died later that year, and held my family’s hand when my husband deployed to Iraq. I will never forget him.

I don’t know if that connection would have been made if he hadn’t been in that tie-dyed t-shirt…but I thank God that on that day I met a priest who would become a lifelong resident of my heart.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Well, its hard to play tennis or golf in clerical attire so there are some exceptions that make common sense.
The other is that while its easy to say “they gave their entire life to Christ so they must always dress in clerical attire” its also an easy way to burn out a priest. If I go out to dinner with someone and I’m wearing my collar then every table around me is listening in on my conversation. If I go to the grocery store in my collar people look in my cart to see what I’m buying. If I walk into the mall in a collar people stare and several people might engage me in crazy conversations. If I go the movies in a collar there’s always going to be someone who will decide that anything not rated PG is inappropriate for a priest.
Essentially it causes the priest to feel like he’s always “on display” and “in question” whereever he goes and whatever he does. If you think that doesn’t cause stress and frustration then you’d be wrong.
I learned fast when I was newly ordained that if I want to do anything without feeling like I was on display then I need to leave the collar at home. But I’m also always “on call” so if my cell phone rings with an emergency then I might show up at the hospital in my jeans and polo shirt to anoint someone. On the rare occasions that that’s happened none of the families have ever complained.

Priests love being priests. But every human being needs “personal space.”

 

[jpjd]

This topic interests me highly in general - but allow me to point out a particularly successful parish during the late 1990s/early 2000s from my home area in the midWest.

At the time, I was the half-sister and daughter of 2 Catholics, very active in the parish of my father and brother despite not being Catholic myself, and engaged to a Catholic man. This is the story of my “beginnings” at that parish and will explain how I eventually became involved. Were it NOT for this positive experience, I would not even remotely be pursuing becoming a Catholic now.

I will never forget Father Brian of that parish. I met him not as a priest, but a fellow human being at a social gathering for the kids where we were raising money for the parochial school. He was wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt (that the kids had made especially for him for the event). He was laughing and enjoying the festivities of the day. I had NO idea who he was, he looked like someone’s grandpa and was having a wonderful time. I was working at a booth for my brother’s class taking my Dad’s shift as he was called out on an emergency fire call.

The gentleman in question came over to my booth and purchased tickets for some of the events. We didn’t bother with introductions, just talked and laughed about the kids and how much fun everyone was having. It wasn’t until later in the evening when he was “announced” and brought up on the stage that I found out he was the parish priest.

Father Brian and I became friends that day. He was the first Catholic outside of my father and brother to not put up a “Protestant” barrier. He encouraged me to be part of their lives, dried my tears when my grandmother died later that year, and held my family’s hand when my husband deployed to Iraq. I will never forget him.

I don’t know if that connection would have been made if he hadn’t been in that tie-dyed t-shirt…but I thank God that on that day I met a priest who would become a lifelong resident of my heart.

That’s a beautiful tribute to a good priest. Thank you for sharing that, HAnne.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Well, its hard to play tennis or golf in clerical attire so there are some exceptions that make common sense.
The other is that while its easy to say “they gave their entire life to Christ so they must always dress in clerical attire” its also an easy way to burn out a priest. If I go out to dinner with someone and I’m wearing my collar then every table around me is listening in on my conversation. If I go to the grocery store in my collar people look in my cart to see what I’m buying. If I walk into the mall in a collar people stare and several people might engage me in crazy conversations. If I go the movies in a collar there’s always going to be someone who will decide that anything not rated PG is inappropriate for a priest.
Essentially it causes the priest to feel like he’s always “on display” and “in question” whereever he goes and whatever he does. If you think that doesn’t cause stress and frustration then you’d be wrong.
I learned fast when I was newly ordained that if I want to do anything without feeling like I was on display then I need to leave the collar at home. But I’m also always “on call” so if my cell phone rings with an emergency then I might show up at the hospital in my jeans and polo shirt to anoint someone. On the rare occasions that that’s happened none of the families have ever complained.

Priests love being priests. But every human being needs “personal space.”

Our parish priest is mostly in the collar however I do know that on his badly needed ONE day off…he doesn’t always wear it. To me there is nothing wrong with that. All Saints Day was on his day off…but he came in to say a Mass…and I notice that he had brown shoes…and jeans…under his vestments. It only made me smile to myself…they are human after all.

I certainly would not expect him to be in a collar when he is washing his car after all…

 

[ConstantineTG]

Priests love being priests. But every human being needs “personal space.”

Awesome post Father! Also Jesus did withdraw from the crowds many times and seeked solace in the mountains. Even Jesus needed personal space for some quiet prayer time.

 

[fkb]

Similarly an opinion: as a member of the laity with a zeal to see more “religiosity” in our world, I would add the following:

1. Even non-Catholics can identify with the “uniform”, whether it be a habit or the collar, and what it represents – a religious individual.
2. I view the priesthood as a vocation too, a full-time job that deserves great respect and admiration.
3. When I see a priest in uniform, whether I know him or not, as a Catholic am proud to see and greet them. It reminds me to live a similarly holy life.
4. When I see them out of uniform (someone I know), it’s just weird, like something is missing…
5. Nuns wear the habit all the time in public; why would the same standard not apply.
6. Like a scapular, the uniform can remind the clergy to act accordingly no matter where they are at.
7. In a society that pressures everyone to follow the trend, shouldn’t our blessed priests stand out as an example to all that we need to be the light of the world, the salt of the Earth.

Just to highlight how this practice can easily degenerate, I remember my son’s first communion practice in church and how our pastor gave the instructions at the front of the church in shorts. It just doesn’t seem right.

I love my faith and its clergy and want both to shine above reproach.

FKB

 

[fkb]

And of course Father is right (NewEnglandPries), there are obvious occasions like sports where dressing down is appropriate. I also greatly appreciate his post, because I was not aware of personal perspective shared.

I guess it just seems that the wearing of the collar is more the exception than the convention and I would venture to guess that most people would agree with this assessment.

FKB

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

Well, its hard to play tennis or golf in clerical attire so there are some exceptions that make common sense.
The other is that while its easy to say “they gave their entire life to Christ so they must always dress in clerical attire” its also an easy way to burn out a priest. If I go out to dinner with someone and I’m wearing my collar then every table around me is listening in on my conversation. If I go to the grocery store in my collar people look in my cart to see what I’m buying. If I walk into the mall in a collar people stare and several people might engage me in crazy conversations. If I go the movies in a collar there’s always going to be someone who will decide that anything not rated PG is inappropriate for a priest.
Essentially it causes the priest to feel like he’s always “on display” and “in question” whereever he goes and whatever he does. If you think that doesn’t cause stress and frustration then you’d be wrong.
I learned fast when I was newly ordained that if I want to do anything without feeling like I was on display then I need to leave the collar at home. But I’m also always “on call” so if my cell phone rings with an emergency then I might show up at the hospital in my jeans and polo shirt to anoint someone. On the rare occasions that that’s happened none of the families have ever complained.

Priests love being priests. But every human being needs “personal space.”

I apologize if I came across judgmental. That was not my intent. To help understand my opinion perhaps a bit of my own story might help.

The (very very) short version is that I am a convert that fought the Church for years, and when I finally gave up my futile struggle I didnt wade across the Tiber, I shot myself out of a cannon. That being the case, I have had to fight for the faith pretty my whole time coming into and being in the Church and that has resulted in me becoming… Combative (thats a nice word to describe it) about the faith. I cannot tell you how much I love seeing a priest in clerical garb outside the Church. I cannot tell you that I understand the toll that takes on the man, but I love the fact that he is putting himself on display (sort of…) as a priest of Christ and, in some sense, inviting scrutiny. I do not expect that all priests will be that way (heck St. John Vianney was a VERY unique priest) but I enjoy it when Priests are willing to do that for us laity.

Again, if I offended you I apologize. I hold priests in very high regard and would not want to come across as having been or as being derogatory towards a member of the clergy.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

I guess it just seems that the wearing of the collar is more the exception than the convention and I would venture to guess that most people would agree with this assessment.

FKB

Hmmm…not me. Most of the time I see our priest…it is in a collar. But I do understand the need for down time.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

1. Nuns wear the habit all the time in public; why would the same standard not apply.

Unlike a nun and other religious a priest is a secular person and does not have a constitution or rule of life to follow. They follow Canon Law which I posted very early in this thread.

Also not all female religious orders wear habits.

(just a note on language too, nuns are cloistered so you seldom see them in public, sisters are the female religious that are active)

I would add, that even though I am a religious, I do not wear my habit (or clerics) all the time. I wear them when I am working in ministry or at any Church event. On my personal time I am usually in jeans and a tee shirt or sweat shirt (depending on the weather).

My constitutions and rule do not say that I have to be in the habit only.

Now I will tell you that I am contemplating wearing my habit more when I return to school, that is wear my habit to school (theologate). We are not required to (and there are some who frown upon those who chose to do so) but by then I will also have two habits. Right now I only have one. So when it needs cleaning I have to wear clerics (which I would not wear to school (theologate) as that is a secular priestly candidates garb and I have been told by my superior that I may wear clerics when I am ministering but given no other times that I may wear them so I take that omission as a no).

 

[fkb]

Unlike a nun and other religious a priest is a secular person and does not have a constitution or rule of life to follow.

So if one is a diocesan priest (i.e. secular), the rules of the the public uniform (if any) would be dictated by the general guidelines of Canon Law and the local bishop?

FKB

 

[zab]

Where I live, there seems to be a renewed desire over the past couple of decades among the priests to wear their clerical clothing when out in public. It was a welcome sight about 22 years ago when the pastor at that time wore his cassock around the parish outside of the Mass. At the time, I hadn’t seen that in years. And It is still not unusual today to see my present pastor wearing his cassock around the parish or walking down the street to the rectory or to events like the blessing of the women’s shelter in which he wore a surplice over his cassock. He also wears his collar to the store and around town. But I have also seen him in regular clothing while on a picnic or other leisure events that include some sporting events.

 

[ConstantineTG]

So if one is a diocesan priest (i.e. secular), the rules of the the public uniform (if any) would be dictated by the general guidelines of Canon Law and the local bishop?

FKB

Yes