Why was Tonsure done away with?

[rben20]

Hello Catholics,

Why did Pope Paul VI do away with tonsure? Were there any reasons or did the Pope just feel like it? Thanks in advance for your discussion.

 

[USNCorpsman]

I don’t think he did away with it, I think it might have fallen out of practice. If I remember correctly, it might have been 2002, when I was living in La Cañada CA we lived next to a catholic school/parish and the monks had the roman tonsure.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

I’ve head (this is hearsay, but it may be true) that by the 20th century tonsure was usually just done by cutting a little hair from the top of the man’s head, so he looked like he had a bad haircut until it grew back.

I suspect that Paul VI viewed tonsure as vestige of the past that no longer fulfilled a function in the Church.

 

[corsair]

The Tonsure is still used by many traditional orders. The Carmelites of Wyoming are one group and I believe that the Monks of Norcia, Italy are another. Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem, WV., Monks on Papa Stronsay.

I’m sure someone on these forums can tell us whether the Tonsure is part of the steps in taking vows. Seems to me there is a relationship there.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

As said, it depends on the Order involved. Very few traditions were ‘done away with’ as most think; they often went into not known/practiced. We recently had a Legion of Mary Patriscians meeting on “Lenten History”. We were surprised than since the First Century, Abstinence from meat has been practiced, and is still Canon Law, although modified in the 1970’s by the USCCB to Abstinece, “Or” another Sacrifice on Fridays. Our traditional Diocese of Arlington VA and Parish have grown Very rapidly since Vatican II: Eucharistoc Adoration, Tridentine Mass available, Legion of Mary evangelization, and significant new Vocations.

 

[Brother_Ganser]

Though I don’t have my book of rites handy but I believe that the rite of tonsure was actually suppressed meaning it can no longer be practiced. There are to my knowledge however many religious orders that were given the indult to continue the practice as well as though who worship only in the extra-ordinary form.

This letter given by Paul VI explains things in a little more detail.