Personally, I think the lady vicar above looks ridiculous.
A black clerical collar inside a gay rainbow dress or dressing gown.
To me it looks gimmicky, frivolous and like something someone with no taste would wear in a Pride march.
And this lady is an ITV religious presenter.
Sadly, for many, the clerical collar has become the symbol of sexual abuse and corruption of all kinds.
Thats sad. I can renember when the clerical collar attracted warmth, acceptance, confidence and was a sign that anyone, especially anyone in any kind of trouble, could approach you or come to you.
I am quite a dedicated wearer of the collar.
For me, the collar is two things:
1. A public reminder of Christianity and Christian ministry.
2. An invitation to approach for help, support, understanding and service.
I persevere with wearing the collar for the two ideals above.
I do understand that in many ways it may now represent various kinds of barriers.
If we are going to have female ministers, and we already have, why can they not create a new symbol for themselves – perhaps a symbol representing all that the feminine brings to ministry and caring?
Lots of priests have not worn the collar for a long time either:
1. To be KOOL.
2. Out of fear of abuse or attack.
Of course some priests don’t wear the collar because they don’t want people to see them misbehaving in some way.
Im sure Dick Purcell never wore the collar or habit to the sauna 😀 – even though some there would find it a turn on.
Our symbols should always be appropriate, meaningful and inspiring.
I dont think the clerical collar goes well with a rainbow gown 🤮
PATS PICS
Bishop Russell and Joe Seery are both dead. RIP.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 