Pinoy Bishop to his priests: Wear your collar/cassock!

Courtesy of my dear friend and fellow Pinoy blogger, Jay Balza of Veritatem facientes in caritate.

***

MAY 27, 2009 - "Effective today, all priests in the diocese of Pasig, whether incardinated or guest priests, should always wear clerical attire when they go to their office and other official functions in or outside the parish."

This was announced by Pasig Bishop Francisco C. San Diego, D.D. (pictured above) in circular 2009 005.

Invoking Canon 284, "Clerics are to wear suitable ecclesiastical dress in accordance with the norms established by the Episcopal conference and legitimate customs", the bishop also announced that during liturgical celebrations, priests should always wear the sotana or alb with the chasuble as demanded by proper church decorum.

"I pray that all will be properly guided by this policy, all for the greater glory of God that all may be one!" the bishop said.

Kudos to Bishop San Diego! It's about time the identity of the priesthood is made visible once again. Once, when the Holy Father Pope John Paul II ordained Msgr. Gilles Wach - Founder and Prior General of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, upon learning that he was from France, said to him "You are French. Keep the cassock!". How I wish the other dioceses would follow.

***

Amen to that bro!  At the Year of the Priest, the clergy must regain their identity by wearing the garb that signifies the dignity of their chosen state of life.

See my comments on a related post here.