Happy are the blind

In June 2007, the Archdiocese of Manila has issued a dress code that calls on the faithful to present themselves in formal and more conservative attire when attending Mass and liturgical functions.

In his circular sent to parish priests, Father Godwin Tatlonghari, Assistant Minister of the Archdiocese's Ministry of Liturgical Affairs (MLA), said that a new dress code was being imposed following complaints from worshippers that the slack dress was proving to be disturbing.

The circular stated:

1. Males should wear long-sleeved polo, collared shirts, or T-shirts paired with either slacks or jeans". Also advising against wearing caps, basketball jerseys, tank tops, and short to Church.

2. Women were told to stick to dresses, long gowns, or collared blouses as against spaghetti-strap tops, tank tops, short skirts, skimpy shorts and sleeveless shirts with plunging revealing necklines.

If some parishes have executed and applied the content of the circular when published in June 2007, some of them have never implemented it, ignoring totally the document.

A related article was published in the Diocese of Cebu “Bag-ong Lungsoranon” on November 25, 2007. Years have now elapsed and, sorry to say, we are very far from the dress code requested by the Archdiocese of Manila. An increasing number of people go to Church garbed in a way that disrespect the sanctity of the House of God and the sacredness of the liturgical celebration. This disgusting irreverence is far to be acceptable and certainly inconceivable. To avoid all of these, the best and only way is to close our eyes and pray the Lord to forgive those people who are insulting Him.

Then we can say:

“Happy are the blind” who do not see the sacrilege and blasphemy committed by those who come to Church dressed like if they were going to market or to the beach.

“Happy are the blind” who cannot see the women with transparent spaghetti-strap tops and plunging necklines blouses.

“Happy are the blind” who are unable to see women wearing ultra short shorts or skirts, and T-shirts with vulgar wordings printed in front and back.

“Happy are the blinds” who cannot visualize men in dirty slacks and shorts, wearing T-shirts of all kinds.

Dress code in Church is something from the past. We dress nicely when visiting friends, attending parties, fiestas, but when we visit the Lord in His own House to attend His banquet, everything is neglected even the most basic element of respect, demeanor and discipline. We simply adopt the attitude of “never mind”, “It is ok”. We treat our Lord Jesus Christ with indifference and disrespect.

And what about the attitude of the people (adults and children alike) in Church? It is not even better. Instead to prepare themselves to the Mass, in prayers and or conversation with the Lord, they go for discussing between themselves or sending text through cellphones even having phone conversations. They even continue to do so while celebration of Eucharist is going on. Where is their sense of decency? Why are they in Church?

What about the children who run around the Church, or eating and drinking then… receiving the Holy Communion as if nothing did happen. What their parents do? Absolutely nothing! Obviously a very serious lack of Christian Education.

What did really happen to the important reminder from Archbishop Socrates Villegas in January 2010 about Church Etiquette?

No doubt, “HAPPY ARE THE BLIND” because they are unaware of what is going on around them when attending Mass or Liturgical functions. The Lord has given them a blessing for not seeing the declining attitude of the so-called  faithful, People of God.

Is there anyone among the clergy and the lay people who will do something in order to correct this situation? Are we going to continue drifting?

It will certainly be appropriated, even recommended, to re-publish the circular letter issued by Father Godwin Tatlonghari of MLA on June 19, 2007 containing guidelines to parish priests, chaplains and shrine rectors in the Archdiocese, and make a point to ensure full and strict implementation at all levels.