Modern Reforms and the Role of Traditional Vestments in the Catholic Church

Introduction

The article “Ecclesiastical Vestments in the Modern Church” by John T. Doherty examines the role and changing types of vestments in the Catholic Church. The importance of ordination in churches is due to several factors, such as the expression of church liturgical and theological traditions. In this regard, the author expresses that using characteristic robes is an essential tradition with a long history and remains part of the Church’s liturgical traditions (Doherty, 1971). However, at a specific period, the reforms sufficiently simplified the vestments, which raises the question of how necessary this is and whether it is worth changing the state of things in the Church.

Change of Church Vestments

As a result of the reform, many elements of traditional church vestments were significantly curtailed or removed. The author argues that this decision caused considerable controversy since many believed it was wrong and that dress traditions should not change (Doherty, 1971). Despite the changes introduced by the Second Vatican Council, the importance of vestments has been preserved in the Church’s liturgical life.

Using vestments in the Church is a long tradition and essential for clergy and parishioners. In this regard, the author’s reasons for making such drastic changes remain unclear, and he argues that the Church should take a more responsible approach to making such decisions (Doherty, 1971). At the same time, the need to make worship more accessible to believers remains, provoking a dilemma about the need for reform.

Conclusion

I believe the use of traditional vestments in the Catholic Church is an integral part of it that should be developed further. Vestments have been a prerequisite for ceremonies since the 4th century, which speaks of their long development history (Doherty, 1971). In this regard, it seems wrong and unreasonable to change and reduce the elements of vestments. A practical solution to the problem of accessing more worshipers to the liturgies would be to create a simpler set of robes to hold more liturgies.

Reference

Doherty, J. (1971). Ecclesiastical Vestments in the Modern Church. The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, 29(7), 310-312. Web.