A concerned Catholic: I was told that Pope Francis, at the Synod last year, circulated a paper which, among things, advocated the abolition of clerical dress. I think this is a brilliant idea, long overdue, which will help eliminate divisions between priests and lay people. When do you think it will happen?
Chaplain: The Synod was the opportunity to air a great many ideas and grievances. Many of these are unlikely to see the light of day unless firmly rooted in Catholic teaching and practice. You raise, however, an interesting question. What is the reason for bishops, priests and deacons adopting a distinctive dress code? As far as we know, the garb of Jesus and His apostles was indistinguishable from that of their contemporaries. Why should it be any different for the clergy today?
