Why wear clerical collar

Michael Coren: People want to talk, and the conversations and debates range from the good to the bad to the deeply moving. By Michael Coren December 12, I was ordained in the Anglican Church of Canada on October 20 th. It was the culmination of five years of consideration and work, three years of a Masters of Divinity degree at Trinity College, University of Toronto, and more reading, church work, and prayer than I thought possible.

But no amount of systematic theology, Greek, Hebrew, and moral philosophy can prepare you for wearing a clerical collar in public.

A lot of clergy seldom do it any more, and in parts of the world, especially Ireland with its history of abuse and scandal, it can even be dangerous. The job of a cleric is to communicate the Gospel, bring people closer to God, or at least not get in the way of their search.

The collar can be an obstacle. But I made an oath to myself that from my ordination day onwards I would take the plunge and proclaim what I was. Representation is in itself an issue. What becomes obvious after a few days of aching self-consciousness is that the collar often matters far more to you than to them.

So now, if I really need to have the headphones on, I leave my collar in my car. Otherwise, I try to remain present to the people around me while wearing my collar. I am, however, and others here also open to the idea of using it at the right time. One question immediately arises from your piece. David, I live in the Northeastern part of the United States.

I would agree with Canon Greg that, in my experience of having lived there at one time, the South had plenty of inquisitive individuals asking me about my collar. Most leave me be, but quite a few will talk to me about faith and the Anglican Church.

The collar really is an opening for conversation. My experience is that many times when I wear the collar here in the southeastern U. Thanks for that. My impression from a coast to coast road trip across the States last year was that in the southeast people were much more open to Christian things. I am a chaplain to the voluntary fire service. I always wear a collar with my uniform in parades.

There were two ordinances sacraments given by Messiah, Baptism and Communion, in fact even the 39 Articles of Religion make this clear. It states:. Of the Sacraments. The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves damnation, as Saint Paul saith.

If you be a protestant, I ask you why do you hold on to Romish tradition and not only baptise infants, but also carry forth a ceremony that has no Biblical mandate confirmation? Whosoever, through his private judgment, willingly and purposely, doth openly break the Traditions and Ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, that others may fear to do the like, as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren.

For you know from whom you have learned, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to make you wise, leading to salvation through trusting in Messiah Yeshua. All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness, so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed. I love the Anglican Patrimony, the liturgy is really quite beautiful, but some of the traditions should be tossed.

The question of whether or not to wear a collar depends upon the circumstances. It all boils down to personal choice and calling. A black detachable collar that has a white band built in. They attach with studs to a collarless black shirt so that the shirt has a similar appearance at the neck to a cassock. Wearing a clergy shirt made with a high collar attached that encompasses a full wrap-around collar. Only the black part of the collar is attached to the shirt, but not to the collar itself.

The most typical clerical shirt has a high tab collar and a square opening in front. After all, the cassock itself is clerical dress. No collar needed, though it does somehow complete the look. This is a clerical collar attached to a small black bib that you can wear with an undershirt under the cassock. It eliminates an entire layer of clothing, which is very appreciated in the summer time! In general, I prefer the traditional detachable collar, made from cloth. Full cloth collars are comfortable, and look the nicest in my opinion.

Cloth ones do tend to stain over time, even with regular cleaning, especially if you sweat a lot like I do. For this reason I have recently acquired a few shirts that can be worn with a tab collar. I think tab collars look best for more casual wear, and have enjoyed wearing them with short-sleeve shirts this summer.

One final tip for those newly minted clerics shopping for their first collars and shirts — order a neck size that is half a size larger than you typically wear. This is a lesson I learned the hard way. Husband of one. Father of six. Roman Catholic Deacon. Campus Minister. Kilt maker. Drinker of fine coffee. This is the personal blog of Deacon Matthew Newsome for the purpose of examining various aspects of life through the lens of Catholicism.

Deacon Matt is a college campus minister, husband and father of six. Sign in.