Church-goers in Mangalore told to ‘cover up’
TNN
Mangalore, 24 November 2011: Some churches in the Mangalore diocese have barred devotees from wearing sleeveless dresses, T-shirts with cheeky messages and short skirts saying it would distract other devotees.
Fr Victor Machado, parish priest, Bejai Church, said, "We expect the devout who come to church to be dressed decently. It’s a place of worship and not a party hall or place to display the latest fashion. We expect worshippers not be distracted by others dressed immodestly."
He added, "We see people take extra care to dress when they attend a function. Why this disregard when they come to the house of god?" His decision has been seconded by parish council Fr William Menezes, PRO, Bishop’s House. and the bishop of Mangalore diocese Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza, who has been vocal about showing less skin in church.
The dress code, however, could alienate the young, whom churches around the world are trying to keep on hallowed grounds. "When our parents don’t object to our dresses, who is the clergy to tell us?" questions college-goer Neetha.
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| Evans Christopher Sumitra, Udupi/New York, USA | Fri, November-25-2011, 3:39 |
| Good move by Fr. Victor Machado and the diocese of Mangalore. I do not think everybody will like the dress code but it is good for all parish goers. | |
| Philip Mudartha, Qatar | Fri, November-25-2011, 7:34 |
| It appears that our clergy assesses that the faithful are not reasonable adults. Any analysis on why they are not? | |
| Benedict Noronha, Udupi | Thu, November-24-2011, 10:05 |
| Very timely note to the touth. We go to church, which is a House of Prayer"and to take part in the Holy mass, the most effective prayer to God. Therefore, decent dress should mean avoidance of T.-Shirts and Jeans pants, skirts above the knee joints and sleave-less bluses, Jeans Pants short shirs ffor ladies etc. Recently in Mumbai, the Church authorites have issued a circular , published in THE EXAminer. Like -wise in Mangalore Diocese The authorities must isssue instructions to be read out in Sunday service. It may be allowed for a healthy discussion, but morality must be upheld.Decency, properly defined, must be appreciated. Then question of dress of the Priests in the Church compound will also be a point of discussion. They are permitted perhaps , while travelling, to go in Pant shirt -and wearing a small cross on the shirt. When even in the office T-shirts also be avoided. Let the example start from the parochial houses of the Prayer Houses . | |
| Joba Alva, Udupi/Dubai | Thu, November-24-2011, 8:51 |
| Good move, always welcomed. | |
| Manoj Menezes, Shirva/Abu Dhabi | Thu, November-24-2011, 8:03 |
| Good initiative by some churches of Mangalore Diocese to barr the devotees from wearing distracting type of dresses. The real guidance should come from the parents to guide and advise the youngsters to wear decent dress while going to the holy place. For a youngster like Neetha, it is unfortunate that her parents are not guiding properly. It's their mistake not Neetha's. | |
| Alban D souza, Kuthal nagar/Moodubelle | Thu, November-24-2011, 5:34 |
| Really a good move by diocese of Mangalore. I am not against the fashion but as per my knowledge church is a holy place where all people wear the dress from which others will not disturb. IN Bangalore I saw in Tamil kannada service people specially ladies wears full dress so that all can concentrate the devotional service. Every human being has the independence to wear the dress which they required .But everyone has to think that from his dress or attitude others who came for prayer should not disturb. | |
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