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| Dress codes in the Church of England | Dress codes in the Church of England |
| (7 months later) | |
| Letters | |
| Fri 14 Jul 2017 18.20 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 20.08 GMT | |
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| It’s not what clergy wear that sets them apart (Surplice to requirement: vicars don’t need robes, says C of E, 11 July), but rather what they say and do, which for many, especially young people, renders the church irrelevant. Beliefs in forms of literal biblical fundamentalism and doctrinal orthodoxy do not resonate with much of contemporary culture. It is unfortunate that the church spends time discussing ecclesiastical millinery and human sexuality over and above those matters that really have effect and consequences upon ways of life and living. These do not have to be named, they are too well known. | It’s not what clergy wear that sets them apart (Surplice to requirement: vicars don’t need robes, says C of E, 11 July), but rather what they say and do, which for many, especially young people, renders the church irrelevant. Beliefs in forms of literal biblical fundamentalism and doctrinal orthodoxy do not resonate with much of contemporary culture. It is unfortunate that the church spends time discussing ecclesiastical millinery and human sexuality over and above those matters that really have effect and consequences upon ways of life and living. These do not have to be named, they are too well known. |
| People still look to the church for relevant and radical challenges to issues of social cohesion, poverty, inequality and justice. At least vestments enable congregations to know and identify who the presiding minister is.Canon David JenningsLeicester Cathedral | People still look to the church for relevant and radical challenges to issues of social cohesion, poverty, inequality and justice. At least vestments enable congregations to know and identify who the presiding minister is.Canon David JenningsLeicester Cathedral |
| • I am not a vicar. I used to be one; but I retired more than five years ago. On Sunday mornings nowadays I sit with my wife on the back pew of our local church, carefully avoiding her sharp right elbow, which is always poised to dig me in the ribs if she thinks I am about to make a comment. Like most of the congregation, I dress casually. | • I am not a vicar. I used to be one; but I retired more than five years ago. On Sunday mornings nowadays I sit with my wife on the back pew of our local church, carefully avoiding her sharp right elbow, which is always poised to dig me in the ribs if she thinks I am about to make a comment. Like most of the congregation, I dress casually. |
| However, most Sundays I find myself fumbling about on the organ, since the parish can’t afford to pay for a proper organist; and for this I dress equally casually. From time to time I am asked to preach and preside at the eucharist, which I enjoy doing. On those days I wear a black shirt and a dog collar, and robe in the appropriate vestments: alb, stole, chasuble. I do not consider that these vestments confer on me any particular status, or that they make me any more important than any other member of the congregation: they are simply what a priest wears as a focus for what is happening at the service. They are also countercultural, reminding people of the otherness of what we are doing. I could preach or celebrate the eucharist just as well in shirtsleeves, and have done so many times at informal events in the open air or in people’s homes: but not on Sundays at my local church. | However, most Sundays I find myself fumbling about on the organ, since the parish can’t afford to pay for a proper organist; and for this I dress equally casually. From time to time I am asked to preach and preside at the eucharist, which I enjoy doing. On those days I wear a black shirt and a dog collar, and robe in the appropriate vestments: alb, stole, chasuble. I do not consider that these vestments confer on me any particular status, or that they make me any more important than any other member of the congregation: they are simply what a priest wears as a focus for what is happening at the service. They are also countercultural, reminding people of the otherness of what we are doing. I could preach or celebrate the eucharist just as well in shirtsleeves, and have done so many times at informal events in the open air or in people’s homes: but not on Sundays at my local church. |
| The Church of England tradition is one of tremendous flexibility. The discussion at the general synod about the wearing or non-wearing of robes was no big deal. It was simply legalising what has become common practice in the expression of that flexibility. | The Church of England tradition is one of tremendous flexibility. The discussion at the general synod about the wearing or non-wearing of robes was no big deal. It was simply legalising what has become common practice in the expression of that flexibility. |
| My only regret is that it might lead to more and more services being conducted by boring old men in business suits and flashy ties.John WilliamsChichester, West Sussex | My only regret is that it might lead to more and more services being conducted by boring old men in business suits and flashy ties.John WilliamsChichester, West Sussex |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
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