|
|
|
|
|
« Return
|
|
Casual dress plan for Anglican vicars thrown out
2002-261-1
11/13/2002
|
[Episcopal News Service]
The Church of England's governing body on November 13 threw out proposals to change its strict dress code for clergy that raised the possibility of clergy carrying out certain church duties in jeans and T-shirts. Modernizers felt ordained Anglican ministers would benefit by appearing less formal, without having to wear items like the surplice. But bishops and clergy on the church's General Synod gave a resounding thumbs down to proposals to amend church law to allow them to dress more casually.
'It was thought to be a minority issue. Not many were in favor of it to start with,' a Church of England spokesman told Reuters. The spokesman said that had the proposal been approved the 'wonderful picture of vicars in jeans and T-shirts' would probably have been unlikely for 99 percent of the time. But he added, 'There might well be special services for a particular group where the dress might have been more casual.'
The change to a vicar's outfit was the latest attempt by more liberal members to update what they see as the church's staid image, provoking a strong reaction from traditionalists. 'There are fairly strong views on both sides. There are those who feel that wearing a special uniform, robes and so on, acts as a barrier between those exercising ministry and those to whom they wish to administer,' the spokesman said. 'The contrary view is that it's handy to have a uniform because it's actually quite useful to know who's doing what.'
|
|
|
|
|
|
