Clerical gear could easily be seen as virtue signalling

This week’s Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column

Michael Commane

When I joined the Dominican Order in 1967 we were given a list of items we were to buy, including a black suit and a black hat. On completion of our initial retreat we were vested in the Dominican habit in a ceremony attended by our families. A lot of water has flown under many bridges in the intervening years.

After just one year in the Order we wore the roman collar, we were still almost children. But change was beginning in Ireland and in the church. I think we shedded wearing clerical gear long before priestly ordination.

 

People can wear what they like. Groups within society have uniforms, the Garda, the Army, nurses, pilots, ambulance drivers. And then there are groups, where some do and some don’t, bus and train drivers, bank staff, shop assistants. Some schools have uniforms, others don’t. Nurses do and doctors don’t. 

People in favour of wearing clerical gear point out that gardaí do, so why shouldn’t clerics. Another reason given is that clerics are different. I’m not too sure what that means. 

More say that by wearing clerical garb one gives witness. I’m not too sure about that either. I would never want to set myself apart from the rest of humanity. I know one thing for sure, I’m not fit to tie the shoelaces of my mother or father.

It seems wearing clerical gear is becoming the in-thing these days with some younger priests, nuns and sisters. Maybe cynical I, see it as a new-style fashion accessory. One certainly does stand out wearing clerical clothing these days. Is it a statement, saying I’m different, I’m better?

Last week I saw a young woman wearing a white habit. I presume she was a religious sister. She stood out in the crowd. 

The habit was immaculate, the woman was perfectly groomed and probably was the most elegant and stylish person in the crowd. In a nearby cafe a woman collapsed, falling over the table where she was sitting. The religious sister was right beside what happened. What did she do? Nothing, walked on.

Maybe when she saw someone else attend to the woman she felt there was no need for her to stop. But wouldn’t a kind, supportive word in her ear have helped?

I can hear you ask what about Muslim women. They don’t stand out as being different in their own communities. And there are issues with that too.

When I see priests meticulously turned out and discussing what style liturgical vestments to wear I just think it’s all a far cry from the ’60s and ’70s when the church was alive with ideas and new ways. 

I’m reminded of Pope Francis telling us that the church should resemble a field hospital and encouraging priests to be ‘shepherds, living with the smell of the sheep… as shepherds among your flock.’ 

Shakespeare again: ‘the apparel oft proclaims the man’.