I’ve always wondered if the traditional vestments add to or detract from the ability of priests, bishops, and cardinals (even popes) to perform their offices. Does any profession in secular life dress in such archaic costumes except judges (and in some countries, lawyers)?.Not meaning to be disrespectful, but it seems to me the fashion in most religions to dress up in fashions much set apart from the congregations, from the largest denominations to individual shamans (in furs and feathers); and this seems to apply to members of pseudo-religious secret societies, as well.. I suppose the people who believe in the dogma enough to attain those offices also believe that to distinguish themselves by such dress is what’s required and proper. Forgive me, but I sometimes find it bizarre and distracting. To make such clothing of traditional design and material seems to me unnecessarily expensive and ostentatious.
I’ve always wondered if the traditional vestments add to or detract from the ability of priests, bishops, and cardinals (even popes) to perform their offices. Does any profession in secular life dress in such archaic costumes except judges (and in some countries, lawyers)?.Not meaning to be disrespectful, but it seems to me the fashion in most religions to dress up in fashions much set apart from the congregations, from the largest denominations to individual shamans (in furs and feathers); and this seems to apply to members of pseudo-religious secret societies, as well.. I suppose the people who believe in the dogma enough to attain those offices also believe that to distinguish themselves by such dress is what’s required and proper. Forgive me, but I sometimes find it bizarre and distracting. To make such clothing of traditional design and material seems to me unnecessarily expensive and ostentatious.