Joshua Bennett
The practice of Catholic women covering their heads in church has been commonplace for 2000 years, though the reasons for doing so have varied. In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas stated that women should wear a covering to show that they are naturally subject to another. In the 20th century, it was common for women in mainstream Christian denominations to wear head coverings during church services, but this practice gradually declined in the Western world. In 1969, fifteen women from the Milwaukee chapter of the National Organization for Women protested in a Catholic church by removing their hats and placing them on the communion rail. In the 1970s, a judgment was issued stating that since chapel veils were not a matter of faith, they were no longer mandatory for women. The 1983 Code of Canon Law, currently in force, does not contain a requirement for women to cover their heads in church, effectively eliminating the former requirement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Catholic women covering their heads | To show obedience to God, to show modesty, to show femininity, to show submission to Christ |
| When did the practice end? | The practice has not ended, but it fell into disuse in the 1970s and was not mentioned in the 1983 Code of Canon Law |
| Why did it end? | Greater emphasis on equality between men and women, the sexual revolution |
| Where did it end? | In the Catholic Church |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The 1983 Code of Canon Law
The canon about head veils was initially mandated in the 1917 Code of Canon Law. Canon 1262 of this code states that men, in a church or outside a church, while assisting at sacred rites, shall be bare-headed, while women shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord. This canon fell into gradual disuse and was ignored. In the 1970s, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a judgment in a document titled Inter Insigniores that stated that since chapel veils were not a matter of faith, they were no longer mandatory for women.
Sociological factors may have also influenced the disappearance of the religious custom. The greater emphasis on the equality of men and women tended to downplay elements that stressed their differences. For example, for the first time in centuries, not donning a hat outdoors, especially for men, ceased being considered bad manners. This general dropping of head coverings by both sexes may have influenced the disappearance of the religious custom as well.
Who Should Receive the Eucharist? Catholic Worthiness Examined
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$6.49
The sexual revolution
The decline of the practice of Catholic women covering their heads during mass can be attributed to the sexual revolution of the 1950s and 1960s. During this time, radical feminists encouraged women to stop wearing veils, arguing that they were a sign of female subjugation. In 1969, a Vatican official's statement was misinterpreted to mean that women were no longer required to cover their heads in church. This led to confusion and debate, with some arguing that the practice of veiling was a matter of cultural sensitivity and personal choice.
In the 1970s, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a judgment in a document titled "Inter Insigniores," stating that since chapel veils were not a matter of faith, women were no longer required to wear them. This judgment contributed to the decline of the practice, and by the time the 1983 Code of Canon Law was issued, the canon regarding head veils was not re-issued, effectively eliminating the requirement for Catholic women to cover their heads during mass.
It is important to note that the decline of this practice was a gradual process, and there are still some Catholic women who choose to wear veils during mass, especially in certain cultural contexts. Additionally, there have been revivals of the practice in the 21st century, with some younger Catholic women choosing to veil as a way to show reverence for Christ and their devotion to their faith.
The Catholic Duke: Francis' Religious Identity
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The equality of men and women
The practice of Christian head covering, also known as Christian veiling, has been a long-standing tradition among women of various Christian denominations, including Catholicism. For centuries, women were expected to cover their heads during church services and even during private prayer at home. This practice was rooted in the idea of modesty and was influenced by the cultural norms of the time.
However, over the years, societal attitudes and interpretations of religious texts have evolved, leading to a shift in the understanding of the equality of men and women. The movement towards gender equality has downplayed elements that emphasized gender differences, including head coverings. This shift is reflected in the gradual decline of the head-covering tradition among Catholic women.
In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas supported the idea of women covering their heads to signify their subjection to God and another earthly authority, typically their husbands. This belief was codified in the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which mandated that "women shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord."
Despite the long-standing tradition, the requirement for women to cover their heads in Catholic churches gradually fell into disuse. In the 1970s, a judgment issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the document "Inter Insigniores" stated that since chapel veils were not a matter of faith, they were no longer mandatory for women. This shift was further solidified in the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which did not include the previous requirement for women to wear head coverings.
The removal of the veiling requirement is indicative of a changing societal landscape and a re-evaluation of gender roles within religious contexts. While some individuals still choose to wear head coverings as a sign of devotion or modesty, it is no longer an obligation. This change reflects a broader movement towards gender equality and the rejection of practices that reinforce gender distinctions.
In conclusion, the evolution of the head-covering tradition in Catholicism reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing the equality of men and women. While the practice was once commonplace, it has gradually been set aside as societal attitudes and interpretations of religious texts have evolved. This change serves as a reminder that religious practices and societal norms are not static and can be re-evaluated to align with evolving values, such as gender equality.
Service Sacraments: Catholic Commitment to God and Community
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 1969 Milwaukee chapter protest
The practice of Christian head covering, also known as Christian veiling, is the traditional practice of women covering their heads in a variety of Christian denominations. In the 20th century, it was commonplace for women in mainstream Christian denominations of Western Christianity to wear head coverings during church services. These included Anabaptist, Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Plymouth Brethren, Quaker, and Reformed denominations.
In the Middle Ages, Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) supported the idea of women covering their heads, stating that "the man existing under God should not have a covering over his head to show that he is immediately subject to God; but the woman should wear a covering to show that besides God she is naturally subject to another." In 1917, the Code of Canon Law made it a requirement for women to cover their heads in church. The canon stated:
> Women, however, shall have a covered head and be modestly dressed, especially when they approach the table of the Lord.
In the 1960s, there was a social and religious revolution that brought about changes in the Mass and the role of women in the Roman churches. This likely influenced the disappearance of the religious custom of head coverings. In 1969, the National Organization for Women (NOW) held a protest during Mass at a Roman Catholic church in Milwaukee. A group of women made their way to the communion rail, uncovered their heads, and left their head coverings on the rail. This protest symbolized the second-class status of women in all churches.
In 1983, the requirement for women to cover their heads was effectively eliminated in the new Code of Canon Law, which did not mention veiling. Canon 6 of the current code states that all subsequent laws that are not reissued in the new code are abrogated. While the practice of head coverings has declined in the Western world, it is still common during formal services such as weddings in the United Kingdom. Additionally, there has been a growing revival of veiling among Catholic women, especially the younger generation.
Catholic Church Wealth: How Much is it Worth?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Inter Insigniores judgement
The practice of Catholic women covering their heads gradually fell into disuse in the 1970s, with a notable drop-off in 1983. This change was influenced by a combination of factors, including the sexual revolution, the emphasis on gender equality, and the general decline in the wearing of hats by both men and women.
In 1976, the Catholic Church's Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with the approval of Pope Paul VI, issued a document titled "Inter Insigniores". This document addressed the issue of women's head coverings and the ordination of women as priests and bishops. Here is a detailed and focused examination of the key elements of this judgement:
The Nature of the Document
"Inter Insigniores" is a Latin phrase that translates to "Among the Noteworthy". The document presents theological and historical arguments against the ordination of women as priests and bishops in the Catholic Church. It also addresses the practice of women covering their heads during religious services.
Theological and Historical Arguments
The document likely drew from 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, which states, "Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head, for it is the same as if her head were shaved" (1 Corinthians 11:4-5). This Scripture passage reflects the cultural context of the time, where a woman's uncovered head was seen as a sign of impropriety.
Disciplinary Practices
"Inter Insigniores" Paragraph 4 states that the requirement for women to wear veils is a disciplinary practice of minor importance, influenced by the customs of the period. It argues that such practices no longer hold normative value and are not matters of faith. This judgement emphasizes that the primary concern should be modesty during liturgy, and women are free to cover their heads out of respect for tradition or for modesty.
The Impact on Canon Law
The 1983 Code of Canon Law, which is currently in effect, did not reissue the canon regarding head veils. According to Canon 6 of the current code, any laws not reissued in the new code are considered abrogated. Therefore, the requirement for women to wear head veils is no longer mandatory, and women are free to choose whether to cover their heads during religious services.
Respect and Flexibility
The judgement in "Inter Insigniores" promotes respect for individual choices. While veiling is no longer mandatory, women who choose to wear head coverings as a sign of reverence or devotion to Christ are respected. Similarly, priests are encouraged to accommodate the various spiritual sensibilities of their congregation, fostering an inclusive environment.
Altright vs. Conservative Catholics: Can They Coexist?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The practice of Catholic women covering their heads gradually declined and was finally dropped in 1983 when the new Code of Canon Law did not include the previous requirement.
In the 1970s, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a judgment in a document titled "Inter Insigniores", stating that since chapel veils were not a matter of faith, they were no longer mandatory.
Canon 1262.2 of the old Code of Canon Law stated that "women must cover their heads, especially when they approach the holy table".
The primary reason was to foster modesty during the liturgy, as in the cultural context of the time, a woman who did not cover her head conveyed a message of impropriety.
While the practice has generally declined in the Western world, it is still common during formal services such as weddings in the United Kingdom and remains normative in many Eastern Hemisphere countries. Additionally, some Catholic women continue to wear head coverings as a sign of reverence and devotion.
