The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-19
noMAx ooLLAn Axp swEArER.
rho Question OF the Priests Costume when re
Goes Out on n wheel.


what is the proper costume for priests who go
bicycle ridingi That is a question which has
bothered the members of the clergy lately in
this and other countries. In Paris, according to
report, the Catholic clergy have been forbidden
TO ride the bicycle by the Archbishop altogether
because OF this question OF dress. There the
priest is compelled to wear tho long cassock Of
tho clergy at all times. Such a long garment
not being practicable on tho style OF frame used
by men. n large number OF priests. 1t Is said,
adopted the drop frame. This incongruity re-
suited In the order forbidding the priests to ride
the bicycle at all.
While no such condition exists In this country,
there has been, nevertheless. more or less dis
cussion as to how far a priest may conform to
tho fashion in dress suited to the convenience OF
bicycle riders. "The sweater and the Roman
collar are hardly compatible forms Of dress"
writes a correspondent to the American Eccie.
S~iasticdt Rcrietc, a monthly publication for the
clergy. in its current issue. yet In some
dioccses, Mt least in the Eastern States. 1t Is
statute law to wear the Roman collar and a coat
reaching to the knees. In view OF this fact,
the use Of bicycles he implicitly sanctions tho
use of n suitable dress, and such sanction takes
ava aNS yo the co ooliEEat Tn tho to wear TIM the ra homaT ,6 collar fol,
Though a Bishop may tolerate the use of the
WY NiC NNNh " NhV " MI ihR Nho
blessed sacrament to the sick when there is no
probable danger OF irrevercnce. 1t could not be
maintained that he implicitly san tions tho use
OF a dress which in n manner DISCUSSES his
priestly character by removing the marks which
distinguish the cleric from the layman. In the
first place II is to he noted that the ordinance
regarding the wearing OF the Roman collar Is
not merely a local law in some dioceses of the
Eastern States, but binds wherever the DEGREES
OF the Plennry Council Baltimore are obliga-
and scculars in the United States. Hence II 10
quite beyond the power OF any Bishop TO tolcr-
ate, by either implicit or explicit sanction. that
priests wear the bicycle dress in place of the
black coat and Roman collar.
1t follows that any Bishop within the juris.
dictlon Of the Baltimore Council not only could.
but in all likelihood will, forbid his clergy to don
the sweater as soon as he becomes cogniZant
Of the fact that there are priests who do so.
Such prohibition Is In order not only with re-
gard to sick calls, but for all seasons, since tho
council, after prescribing that priests should
wear the cassock in the house as well as in the
church, adds that when they go out, whether 1t
be in the performance of pastoral duty or for
recreation or for travel. they are obliged to
wear the clerical dress.
The arRumen: that the ordinary clerical
street dress is an Inconvenience in riding the bi-
cycle can hardly he adduced as a serious objec-
priestly calling. The practice of many respect
able laymen and women who do not find IL
necessary to change the ordinary citizens dress
is sufficient answer; and IL the greater conve-
niencc were to be made the principal criterion
of propriety in dress we should soon run into
priest everywhere in public without arousinR
any feeling which. like the prosecuting spirit OF
pagan nations. would Justify the attempt to dis
guise his sacred calling. Our religious men and
for their calling despite the oddity Of their
dress