Collaring the cowards
I have heard some strange suggestions before in relation to what members of the clergy should and shouldn’t do but the latest one by the National Churchwatch in England takes the cake.
The group, who provide personal safety advice, have stated that vicars should not wear dog collars when on duty because they increase the likelihood of being attacked as an “easy target. It sounds like a crazy suggestion and some people may think that Churchwatch are so far removed from reality it is untrue.
Thinking about it though, maybe they are not. Maybe it is just a sad reflection on how times are changing and that even someone associated with the church is not safe from physical harm. In a survey of 90 London clergy carried out by National Churchwatch last year, nearly half said they had been attacked in the previous 12 months.
For some clergy this is real radical stuff. The argument against it is it’s their witness in the community - their way of saying, ‘hello, I’m the vicar’…That’s fine when you’re being the vicar. If you’re visiting someone or going to an old people’s home, wear your dog collar…When they are on their own, and when they are off duty…there is no need for them to wear their dog collars. All that does is to attract people who see the dog collars, and if they are motivated towards violence, it puts them [clergy] in a very difficult situation.
Nick Tolson, National Churchwatch
How sad is it when someone who only wants to help in the community and bring it closer together is under threat from being attacked from mindless yobs? It seems crazy that we’re in a society now where advice like this has to be even considered let alone put into practice.
It’s not exactly something that is considered an everyday thing, “I’m bored, let’s go beat up a priest”, it’s the ideal of cowards and they obviously strong enough about what they will do that they can get away with it easily enough.
Should policemen walk around in plain clothes and not uniforms or now should nuns stop wearing habits and walk around in “ordinary clothes” for fear of being beaten in a violent act?
I think we should all take a look at what goes on around us, if violence like this is what members of the clergy are being forced to deal with. I also think the authorities should definitely take a closer look at it.
In communities people like to feel safe and many put their trust and faith in the clergy. There is only so much work they can do inside the church and a lot more can be done by just being in and around the community. If it comes to a stage where they can’t help those outside the church who need it for fear of violence then what does that say about the rest of us?
Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 and is filed under Love Thy Neighbour, Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.
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Sister Julianna Says:
Good afternoon.. Most Nuns here in ireland have stopped wearing the Habit…. We wear it still. Always have done; always will do. And please, do not accuse any of cowardice… There are many arguments on either side, and, at last, it is a personal decision and apersonal choice in Jesus. Blessings this day
October 11th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Mike Says:
I was referring to those who choose to attack priests as cowardly, because to me it strikes me as something you just shouldn’t do.
It is a position of respect and while the people in that role are not always perfect, they do not deserve to be treated like that by people who should know better but obviously choose to ignore the differences between right and wrong.
Thank you for your comments and I hope we hear you from again.
October 12th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Sister Julianna Says:
Anyone who attacks anyone is wrong….. Period. We who wear the habit are not specially immune to these things. In fact, the habit or clerical collar is our identity in Christ, and our vulnerability also. Many cease to wear these witnessing signs because of that. The least part of that vulnerability is a fear of violence. Jesus was attacked frequently; if we wear His Banner then ?? I know some of my weblog has been seen; I only put on the mildest things that happen. Yet this is a part of our giving to Jesus..
October 16th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Ann Says:
Mike, I hope you don’t mind if I use this comment box to say how impressed I am by what I’ve read of Sr. Juliana on her weblog. The Oct 18 article is honest and I’m sure one that reflects the view of many.
Perhaps Catholic Ireland would do a feature on her community? After all there can’t be too many nuns living at high altitude in Ireland praying, contemplating ….and making jam!
As for this blog, Mike, I enjoy reading it but you don’t really give readers much time to respond.
Also, if we readers could better identify who is doing the writing it might help - for example I find myself wondering are all contributors journalists.,are some of you religious - as in priests, brothers, nuns? Have any of you studied theology?
I have been blogging for almost a year now and I enjoy it as a means of expression, and so I’m grateful for what you provide here. A certain amount of privacy is necessary of course but I think a little background information helps the reader to know where the writer is coming from.
Keep writing, God bless.
October 20th, 2007 at 10:44 am