The men who wear Armani

Is someone in the church going to shout stop?

Reports in yesterday's Guardian about an Italian bishop wearing Armani vestments.

It has nothing to do with the price. It has all do do with a pervading madness about style and dress that is a disease in the church.

There is something most unhealthy developing within the clerical caste. It has always been there but it is taking on a whole new life.

I have been working in the public and private sector for many years and when I see the style and attitude of my work colleagues with what is going on in the church all one can do is cry.

Are provincials and bishops noticing it? But then they cry innocence when it comes to the Legionaries of Christ and their tomfoolery.

And guess what there is a link with this stuff and the crazy liturgy, including the new Missal about to appear.

A former master of the Dominican Order, Fr Vincent de Couesongle, once commented that he judged a community by the quality of its liturgical celebration. What would he think of the mix of Armani chasubles and all the pseudo theology?

And it is not only bishops who wear Armani. There are many others at it too. And that's the clothing style when the day-time 'cute clerical' gear is put in the cupboard.

Did the PR people know something when they told us that the devil may wear Prada?

This link is about an Italian bishop wearing Armani vestments.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/03/bishop-domenico-mogavero-armani-italy