Priests out of uniform

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StTommyMore said:
The issue was your bragging about your scapular, and your FUS shirt, etc. I guess you have your reward.
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What in the world are you talking about. I’m saying something that you aren’t getting, obviously. Never mind my wearing of scapulars. You going to write a letter to my bishop to take “my reward” as you put it? Bazaar behavior in my book. I just got carried away in the list. I could have bragged about the job I gave up or the blah blah blah blah blah to seek ministry or something, but I didn’t even though you think I did. It’s interesting how someone can think a username somehow identifies me as someone boasting about and now losing a “reward”. I’m not looking for a reward. I love God with all my heart and expect Him to judge me on the basis of my heart, not what I’m wearing. If you want to claim this this priests and bishops should not wear their 'garb". It is boastful then. So we know that that foolish talk and therefore a Catholic has no standing in arguing like this. It’s beyond silly. It’s embarrassing.

You attacked me. I actually was very gentle considering how insulted I was with your comments, as self-righteous and judgmental sounding it was [bad English, but who really cares] Drop it and move on to topic only. Stop attacking me. Attack the “Cleric Uniform” topic with zeal. I would say grow up, but what’s the point. You’re probably 20 years my senior. I really don’t get it. You love just making people angry?
 
padreb said:
I have been reading this forum for a few years now, but have never posted before.

After reading this particular post and thinking about it for a few day I felt the need to coment.

I have been a priest for over 25 years, and with all due respect to Br. David OCD I must disagree with him. A priest or religious should always wear his habit or clerical dress. For over 25 years now I have never gone out in public without a cassock or at least a suit with Roman collar. A priest or religious is never off duty, that is the difference between a vocation and a job. In my opinion over the last few decades more and more priests have started seeing the priesthood as just another job. How many times have I heard from parishoners that Fr. X could’nt come to offer the last rites because it was his day off. I’m not saying that a priest or religious should never have a day off, but even on that day off they are still a priest or religious and should dress as such.

If you are going somewhere where clerical attire is not approprate maybe you should’nt be going there.

I would’nt agree with the previous poster who said it is modernism, but 50 years ago you would never see a priest or religious without their clerical dress.

Just my $.02 from many years in the trenches.

Blessings during this Holy Advent season.
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(Fr.) Padreb,

I strongly agree with you. I am a young Catholic, but find it strange to see priests, brothers, sisters, and nuns dressed in regular layman’s attire.

If a stranger on the street has no idea who you are, and who you work for (God), and are in dire need of spiritual counsel, how will they readily receive this?

This isn’t like a priest going for a swim, or skiing, yes that is different, but out on the street, I prefer to know who you are, because one day I might be that one stranger whose soul requires an emergency confession or just a few divinely inspired words of advice.
 
PbloPicasso said:
What in the world are you talking about. I’m saying something that you aren’t getting, obviously. Never mind my wearing of scapulars. You going to write a letter to my bishop to take “my reward” as you put it? Bazaar behavior in my book. I just got carried away in the list. I could have bragged about the job I gave up or the blah blah blah blah blah to seek ministry or something, but I didn’t even though you think I did. It’s interesting how someone can think a username somehow identifies me as someone boasting about and now losing a “reward”. I’m not looking for a reward. I love God with all my heart and expect Him to judge me on the basis of my heart, not what I’m wearing. If you want to claim this this priests and bishops should not wear their 'garb". It is boastful then. So we know that that foolish talk and therefore a Catholic has no standing in arguing like this. It’s beyond silly. It’s embarrassing.

You attacked me. I actually was very gentle considering how insulted I was with your comments, as self-righteous and judgmental sounding it was [bad English, but who really cares] Drop it and move on to topic only. Stop attacking me. Attack the “Cleric Uniform” topic with zeal. I would say grow up, but what’s the point. You’re probably 20 years my senior. I really don’t get it. You love just making people angry?
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By bragging, you have already gotten your reward. Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). If you think I am opposed to priests and religious wearing the Roman collar or habits, then you have not read my posts. Put your ego in check and actually read the thread.
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
I have heard at least one priest say - this being Massachusetts - that they are terrified to go to a men’s room while wearing clericals. All that’s needed to ruin their life is for some teenage boy to decide to come out and claim that “the priest touched me,” and it would be all over.
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That is also another side to the issue. While I don’t worry too much about out of the blue false accusations, it is out there. Ironically I was actually in Boston a few weeks ago for a even at a downtown hotel. It was a formal event so I was dressed in collar. And when I went to the washroom you can feel the awkwardness of others. I just made a joke about nature’s call sometimes being greater than God’s but, you’re right, a collar in a men’s room these days is sometimes bit awkward. I always make darn sure to never use a urinal next to a minor.
 
I know this is anecdotal but it helps to form my opinion.

A priest I know used to wear his collar all the time. He was meeting another priest for dinner and as he walked into the restaurant he was passing a man with a young child. The man grabbed the child by the arm and pulled him away saying loudly to stay away from priests as they are all child molesters.

This priest friend of mine now does not wear his collar that often when not performing some ministry task.

It is sad but it is a fact of life. Also the possibility of being accused of something, like suggested here being alone in a public bathroom with a child/teen is something to be worried about. Once a priest is accused that goes with him for life even if it is shown to be unproven.

In my formation during my novitiate we watched a series of videos put out the Council of Major Superiors of Men. In it was a religious who told a story of how he would go out to dinner with his sister. He would wear his habit. He would always be called into his superiors office days after the dinner as someone would always call to report that this religious was having an “intimate” dinner with a woman.
 
ByzCath said:
I know this is anecdotal but it helps to form my opinion.

A priest I know used to wear his collar all the time. He was meeting another priest for dinner and as he walked into the restaurant he was passing a man with a young child. The man grabbed the child by the arm and pulled him away saying loudly to stay away from priests as they are all child molesters.

This priest friend of mine now does not wear his collar that often when not performing some ministry task.

It is sad but it is a fact of life. Also the possibility of being accused of something, like suggested here being alone in a public bathroom with a child/teen is something to be worried about. Once a priest is accused that goes with him for life even if it is shown to be unproven.

In my formation during my novitiate we watched a series of videos put out the Council of Major Superiors of Men. In it was a religious who told a story of how he would go out to dinner with his sister. He would wear his habit. He would always be called into his superiors office days after the dinner as someone would always call to report that this religious was having an “intimate” dinner with a woman.
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This is why a priest should not be required to wear his collar at all times. He should follow his personal conscience along with the directives of his superior.
 
StTommyMore said:
This is why a priest should not be required to wear his collar at all times. He should follow his personal conscience along with the directives of his superior.
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Which is also my opinion.

I also find it hard to believe that a priest who is following what the Church Teaches and what his superior (be it a bishop or a religious superior) directs, as well as any rule/constitutions he must follow, can in any way not be considered traditional.

I do not understanding a definition of “traditional” that would exclude someone who follows the Church authorities.
 
ByzCath said:
Which is also my opinion.

I also find it hard to believe that a priest who is following what the Church Teaches and what his superior (be it a bishop or a religious superior) directs, as well as any rule/constitutions he must follow, can in any way not be considered traditional.

I do not understanding a definition of “traditional” that would exclude someone who follows the Church authorities.
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It is my experience that some consider “traditional” only those in agfreement with theor own opinions.
 
If you guys had actually read the posts in this thread, it has already been made perfectly clear that this is personal opinion. Just because you don’t like our thoughts and opinions doesn’t give you a right to attack us. You are exhibiting exactly the uncharitable attitudes that I encounter all the time from people on this forum, whether Catholic or else. I’ve found anonymity to produce much more hostile responses.

I’d like to ask that you be more respectful and stop hiding behind anonymity and threatening to report others because you don’t like it when people try to resolve conflicts. It’s time to find the big chairs boys and girls. Treat others like the adults we are.
 
A priest I know used to wear his collar all the time. He was meeting another priest for dinner and as he walked into the restaurant he was passing a man with a young child. The man grabbed the child by the arm and pulled him away saying loudly to stay away from priests as they are all child molesters.
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I can appreciate the anecdote, but even the Catholic laity are called to carry our crosses when we are known to be part of a group of “child-molesting clergy”. We are called bigots, because we march against same-sex unions and abortions. Our co-workers, friends, and the some in the people snicker because they believe we practice idolatry. The uniform we wear is our faith, displayed proudly and without regret.

And in spite of some in public who may persecute our priest, when true Catholics see a priest in uniform (one we may not know), we will greet you with a smile, convey utmost respect, and should you need any help, would gladly stand by you. You are our shining example, the elite among us, and you make us proud for setting the example of Christ.

God bless our Clergy.

FKB 👍
 
fkb said:
I can appreciate the anecdote, but even the Catholic laity are called to carry our crosses when we are known to be part of a group of “child-molesting clergy”. We are called bigots, because we march against same-sex unions and abortions. Our co-workers, friends, and the some in the people snicker because they believe we practice idolatry. The uniform we wear is our faith, displayed proudly and without regret.

And in spite of some in public who may persecute our priest, when true Catholics see a priest in uniform (one we may not know), we will greet you with a smile, convey utmost respect, and should you need any help, would gladly stand by you. You are our shining example, the elite among us, and you make us proud for setting the example of Christ.

God bless our Clergy.

FKB 👍
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It’s very possible the person pulling his child away was molested by a priest as a child. I had a similar reactions, minus the outward comment, with my oldest child once coming out of mass. I was intertaining my wife’s search for a “church home” and ultimately led me to digging deeper and deeper into history since I used to be Catholic and believe everyone in that place would burn in you know where one day since it had been beaten into me most of my life from more than half of my family. I was Catholic against most of my family, was molested and ended up running. I wouldn’t judge the “anti-Catholic” rhetoric too harshly. This is why we should not only “preach the gospel always, and if necessary use words”. To some people they find it suspicious. If more priests wore their clerics publicly they’d see that the overwhelming majority of them are not only mentally healthy and chaste, but also very manly men. It takes a real man to be chaste. That’s one of the draws for my wife. She adores the very charitable nature of our pastors and the fact they don’t call on the father-in-law to help cannive against you. Truth is from our experience, in bible only evangelical fundamentalist congregations many of the members are comprised of family leaderships and members - even the big ones. We know first hand. That’s less likely with the mainstream Protestant faiths, Methodists, Anglican/Episcopalian, Lutheran, etc.
 
SKWill said:
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?
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No, but I’d darn sure expect them to wear their dogtags – and that’s what the clerical collar is for a priest. Nobody is saying they should wear full priestly garb as though they were celebrating Mass, but it’s a reasonable position to suggest that priests should at least be visibly priests. Fr. Serpa once said that he always wears a cassock when he’s out in public, and on more than one occasion has been approached by someone who wanted to give a confession. As he pointed out, there’s no mistaking a man in a black cassock for a Methodist minister. 😉

Peace,
Dante
 
If a priest has a day off, can’t he go to the store or anywhere without wearing his clerics?
 
DanteAlighieri said:
No, but I’d darn sure expect them to wear their dogtags – and that’s what the clerical collar is for a priest. Nobody is saying they should wear full priestly garb as though they were celebrating Mass, but it’s a reasonable position to suggest that priests should at least be visibly priests. Fr. Serpa once said that he always wears a cassock when he’s out in public, and on more than one occasion has been approached by someone who wanted to give a confession. As he pointed out, there’s no mistaking a man in a black cassock for a Methodist minister. 😉

Peace,
Dante
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Are marines expected to wear them always? When I was a soldier in Canada we were not supposed to wear them around town out of uniform/off duty.
 
PbloPicasso said:
Wonder what? The person asked me if I wore a “Dad” shirt. And you’re doug gone tooten that I brag about my wife and kids. I’m proud of my vocation. What’s wrong with that? Maybe I could have worded it better. But why give a well thought out response to something so dense anyway. The lady that posted “against” me posed in an uncharitable way. I thought my post was funny. Sorry you don’t get it. I’m also upset over something else and that may be running over in the form of nuance embedded in adverse feelings over feeling like I wasted my time becoming Catholic to be told that my sacrifice was in vain because no one really wants to answer the Universal Call to Holiness or The New Evangelism. I was told tonight that my vocation to the diaconate was not important. That might as well be saying my vocation to marriage is unimportant.
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Excuse me…I was not uncharitable to you. Go back and read it. I just thought that the comparison you were trying to make was not a valid one. A priest is ALWAYS a priest. A dad is ALWAYS a dad. That’s not what you were saying. What I got from your post was that the priest was inferior because they shouldn’t think they get a vacation or a day off because you don’t from being a dad. But this post was “priests out of uniform” I was mearly pointing out the as a dad you don’t have a uniform and you do have other people that help out. My smilely face was because mom’s do end up doing a lot of the work…usually. Sorry if you can’t take a little tongue in cheek about that…

You said that if you kid was misbehaving or was in trouble…you are a dad. Well…but do you have a uniform? My priest will answer my emails on his day off (something even the Pope encourages–having a day off). Do I care if he is wearing his collar while he is doing it…no. I’m sure that if he need to administer what used to be the Last Rites…he would do it on his day off…sort of the same as you rushing to your kids aid.

I take offense at you saying that I responded in an uncharitable way…but there is always a couple in every crowd…:rolleyes:
 
DanteAlighieri said:
No, but I’d darn sure expect them to wear their dogtags – and that’s what the clerical collar is for a priest. Nobody is saying they should wear full priestly garb as though they were celebrating Mass, but it’s a reasonable position to suggest that priests should at least be visibly priests. Fr. Serpa once said that he always wears a cassock when he’s out in public, and on more than one occasion has been approached by someone who wanted to give a confession. As he pointed out, there’s no mistaking a man in a black cassock for a Methodist minister. 😉

Peace,
Dante
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Hmmm…my husband was in the Air Force…he didn’t wear his dogtags all the time…
 
DanteAlighieri said:
No, but I’d darn sure expect them to wear their dogtags – and that’s what the clerical collar is for a priest. Nobody is saying they should wear full priestly garb as though they were celebrating Mass, but it’s a reasonable position to suggest that priests should at least be visibly priests. Fr. Serpa once said that he always wears a cassock when he’s out in public, and on more than one occasion has been approached by someone who wanted to give a confession. As he pointed out, there’s no mistaking a man in a black cassock for a Methodist minister. 😉

Peace,
Dante
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The equivalent of the dogtags isn’t the collar. It’s the Clergy Card in his wallet, that shows his incardination.
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
Excuse me…I was not uncharitable to you. Go back and read it. I just thought that the comparison you were trying to make was not a valid one. A priest is ALWAYS a priest. A dad is ALWAYS a dad. That’s not what you were saying. What I got from your post was that the priest was inferior because they shouldn’t think they get a vacation or a day off because you don’t from being a dad. But this post was “priests out of uniform” I was mearly pointing out the as a dad you don’t have a uniform and you do have other people that help out. My smilely face was because** mom’s do end up doing a lot of the work…usually.** Sorry if you can’t take a little tongue in cheek about that…

You said that if you kid was misbehaving or was in trouble…you are a dad. Well…but do you have a uniform? My priest will answer my emails on his day off (something even the Pope encourages–having a day off). Do I care if he is wearing his collar while he is doing it…no. I’m sure that if he need to administer what used to be the Last Rites…he would do it on his day off…sort of the same as you rushing to your kids aid.

I take offense at you saying that I responded in an uncharitable way…but there is always a couple in every crowd…:rolleyes:
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I didn’t get your tongue in cheek. resolved. However, I am a stay at home dad by choice while I return to school. We don’t have family to take up any slack. Priest too are not always available either. I was a seminarian and lived in a rectory for a bit, enough to have done things with priests like friends. My best friend is a priest. I don’t expect them to wear the clerics, I just expect them to always act like a priest. I always act like a dad, because that’s what I am. Pope John Paul II said the same thing. He said that if the clergy had been acting like the fathers they are the scandals would not be so overwhelming - crude paraphrase. I know our pastor doesn’t wear his garb on his day off. It’s only clothing to me. The clerics do not make the priest no more than my dad shirts make me a dad. I’d be perfectly content if the norm was for them to wear normal clothing like the rest of us. But that’s not the norm. I just think priest should be proud to wear their clerics. I also think that the true conversion is interior, not the exterior - clerics. I missread your post just as my posts have been misinterpreted, whether my fault or others.
 
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