Should priests wear their clerics when out grocery shopping? Getting a haircut? Seeing a movie? Walking the dog? Away on vacation?

[RobbyS]

A priest in his collar or a nun in her habbit are like walking billboards saying ‘I beleive in Christ and the Church he founded’.

So IMO, they should be worn as often as possible.

The two exceptions: if they are engaged in activities which would dishonor their commitments; or activities that are morally acceptivle but would be severly restricted [scuba diving. say] by such clothing.

A priest who goes about his day to day life in his ‘civvies’ is missing a marvelous opportunity to preach without useing words.

Priests should wear a collar on the same occasions like thopse where a layman wears a coat and tie.

 

[THurifer2]

I don’t see anything in the Bible to suggest that they should be required to wear a collar at all, so I’d have to say if they want to wear a collar, then they should wear a collar. If they don’t, then they shouldn’t.

Sola scruptura is false doctrine and not from God…using the “its not in the bible” doesn’t work for the One true Church.

By the way its us Catholics that compiled the scriptures into whay you call the bible.

 

[JonathanEdwards]

Sola scruptura is false doctrine and not from God…using the “its not in the bible” doesn’t work for the One true Church.

When Jesus confronted Satan in the wilderness, did He do so by saying “it is written…” or by saying “the Catholic church has declared…”?

By the way its us Catholics that compiled the scriptures into whay you call the bible.

I don’t recall anyone saying otherwise.

 

[nannygirl]

If I’m a non-Christian and I see a Catholic priests wearing a collar, how does that communicate the Gospel to me?

I used to manage a pharmacy right next to a Catholic church and the priests and nuns used to come in all the time. I can honestly say that their strange clothing never once caused me to think about God.

Hmm…even when I was a reformed Baptist, seeing a priest dressed “priestly” always made me think of the Gospel and God.

 

[JonathanEdwards]

Hmm…even when I was a reformed Baptist, seeing a priest dressed “priestly” always made me think of the Gospel and God.

Not me. It just makes me think of the Pharisees.

 

[Lepanto]

Not me. It just makes me think of the Pharisees.

Why? Did they “act” like Pharisees in some way? Did they try to curry any favors?

If not, then I think the problem lies elsewhere.

 

[JonathanEdwards]

Why? Did they “act” like Pharisees in some way? Did they try to curry any favors?

If not, then I think the problem lies elsewhere.

The Pharisees often wore ornate robes, thinking their clothing would make them appear holy and give them the aire of spiritual authority.

 

[Lepanto]

The Pharisees often wore ornate robes, thinking their clothing would make them appear holy and give them the aire of spiritual authority.

Typical clerical attire is far from ornate.

And were they wearing said clothes in order to appear holy as the Pharisees did? If so, how do you know their motivations?

Well…yes, priests and religious ARE spiritual authorities. Why would you have a problem with their legitimate authority unless they try to lord themselves over you? Did they try to lord themselves over you in any way?

 

[nsper7]

The Pharisees often wore ornate robes, thinking their clothing would make them appear holy and give them the aire of spiritual authority.

A) According to both Roman Catholic and Anglican views, Priests do possess a certain level of ‘spiritual’ (really ecclesiastic) authority and that that authority comes from Christ through His Church. The Pharisees thought they possessed spiritual authority and were hypocrites to boot.
B) I think it depends on the motive of the Priest. I must admit, as one who is discerning a call to Holy Orders (either Anglican or Roman Catholic…leaning towards RC because of how liberal and divisive Anglicanism has gotten), is a part of me that thinks it will be cool to wear clerics (cassock, collar, etc.), but one also realizes the gravity of such garb. After all, you are proclaiming to represent Christ and His Church (whether the Roman or Anglican expression in my case) so it should force one to truly behave in a manner worthy of their Office and their Lord (after all, you are a visible representation of Christ’s Church). Remember that Jesus also commanded to let your light shine before men (Matthew 5:16).
C) Do you wear a cross or any other Christian symbols (i.e. a themed t-shirt or something)? Do you have Christian bumper stickers or anything? If so, why? Are you not also, in your own way, proclaiming your righteousness before men?

 

[Sam_Maloney]

I’m old enough to remember when little kids [and not just Catholic kids] were told “If you get lost, talk to a policeman or a priest: they will help you”.

In those days, there were a lot more priests around, and you could actually spot them in a crowd.

 

[crenfro]

My two cents is, yes!

It’s like when St. Francis said something like: always preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words.

Wearing their ID as priests is a way of spreading the Gospel.

And anyway, black is always fashionable.

 

[JonathanEdwards]

It’s like when St. Francis said something like: always preach the Gospel and if necessary, use words.

That makes about as much sense as saying “Feed starving children. If necessary, use food”.

Wearing their ID as priests is a way of spreading the Gospel.

If I’m not saved, then how does seeing somebody with a strip of cloth around their neck communicate the Gospel to me?

 

[CatholiCommit]

In my opinion, I think it is nice touch to see priests wearing their clerics, as a parishioner of the church, I do not think it makes a big difference whether should or should not, and It should not not turn into a battle of whether they should or should not, after all these men made the choice to become priests. I think instead of complaining we should be thanking them for doing the job the called to do by God himself.

Where I go to church we have two priests and sometimes when I go to the church on a week day for any reason sometimes they wear their clerics and sometimes they do not. At this point I think it really depends on the Priest.

When we are in public you can not tell if one man is a pastor or if he does another job by what he wears in public, most people go on about their daily lives and do not notice who is who unless they are dressed a certain way.

 

[kristie_m]

That makes about as much sense as saying “Feed starving children. If necessary, use food”.

Think outside the box a little, my friend. St. Francis was talking about presenting ourselves as Christians not only in words, but in our deeds as well.

 

[JonathanEdwards]

Think outside the box a little, my friend. St. Francis was talking about presenting ourselves as Christians not only in words, but in our deeds as well.

But some people, as evidenced in this thread, believe that doing something as superficial as wearing a strip of cloth around someone’s neck is preaching the Gospel.

 

[ethelzguy]

But some people, as evidenced in this thread, believe that doing something as superficial as wearing a strip of cloth around someone’s neck is preaching the Gospel.

I often wonder if those who would impose their will on the Church and it’s clergy as shown in this thread, are as discerning when they look in their respective mirrors?

 

[Lepanto]

But some people, as evidenced in this thread, believe that doing something as superficial as wearing a strip of cloth around someone’s neck is preaching the Gospel.

Well, that superficial strip of cloth around someone’s neck broke your train of thought and made you think of God at least momentarily, didn’t it? That’s a good start for receiving the Gospel.

 

[JonathanEdwards]

Well, that superficial strip of cloth around someone’s neck broke your train of thought and made you think of God at least momentarily, didn’t it? That’s a good start for receiving the Gospel.

No, that’s why I said three times “it does not make me think of God”.

Like I said, it doesn’t make me think of God, it makes me think of the Pharisees and their devotion to outward signs of piety.

 

[Lepanto]

No, that’s why I said three times “it does not make me think of God”.

Like I said, it doesn’t make me think of God, it makes me think of the Pharisees and their devotion to outward signs of piety.

And you still haven’t answered how the priests you have seen are hypocrites (which was Jesus’ charge against the Pharisees).

 

[JonathanEdwards]

And you still haven’t answered how the priests you have seen are hypocrites (which was Jesus’ charge against the Pharisees).

Why don’t you go ahead and show us where I ever called them hypocrites?