Shorts in Church

It's an interesting contrast that Americans, by and large, sport shorts in the balmy summer months while Europeans, by and large, do not (except of course when playing sports or frolicking on the beach, where they often sport much less). To wear or not to wear shorts during the dog days of summer is a matter of personal preference. I don't own a pair of "dress shorts" (an oxymoron?) but that's just my "thing." I suppose it may appear somewhat odd from the perspective of most Americans but, in my defense, I just don't think that putting on shorts makes me feel that much cooler. So what's the point?

One assertion regarding shorts that I think ought to elicit a general consensus, but which unfortunately does not, is that they are not appropriate for church, let alone for liturgy. Shorts are casual wear and church/liturgy is something of a much higher order and, as such, should summons one to raise the bar both interiorly and exteriorly. The near universal assimilation of shorts, here, there, and everywhere, by Americans from coast to coast means that many have lost the ability to make proper distinctions regarding when shorts might not be appropriate. Shorts have become the toga of the masses in America.

I attended liturgy in Old Town Alexandria a couple months ago on the Feast of Corpus Christi. During his homily, the priest made a simple but powerful point, which came as a question. "Would any of us arrive at the White House for a meeting with the president wearing shorts?" No. It would be inconceivable to do so. Respect for the office alone, irregardless of the current occupant, dictates certain unquestionable White House protocol: a suit for gentlemen and an appropriate dress for ladies. What about shorts for an audience with the pope? The priest continued, "Now that we all agree, why then do so many people come to Mass wearing shorts to greet the Lord?" The common sense reaction of an intelligent observer might go something like this: "Well of course Father, what a silly question! Who would come in shorts to meet the Lord?!" But the fact is, go to any parish and see, a great number of people do just that. Why?

It goes without saying that everyone is ultimately responsible for his own actions and that adults especially should possess the maturity, and not to mention taste, to make the correct fashion call before leaving the house en route to Mass. In this situation though, part of the blame must reside with the pastor and his reluctance to consistently implement a dress code and to frequently remind the people about its existence and why it applies, especially during the summer months. Unchecked and uninformed, people generally tend to push the envelope, even unconsciously so, testing to see what they can get away with and are keen to search out the easiest path. Albert Jay Nock coined the phrase "Epstean's Law" after an acquaintance who once noted to him, "I tell you, if self-preservation is the first law of human conduct, exploitation is the second." Elaborating on this "law," Nock wryly noted, "Man tends always to satisfy his needs and desires with the least possible exertion." This adage carries over to clothes. Once the standard of dress (among other things) has been whittled down and accepted as de rigueur, it's mighty difficult to break the template.

In churches across Rome, a dress code is vigorously enforced. Signs are posted at the doors of the church to remind the people, mostly tourists, what is acceptable and what is not. At St. Peter's Basilica, vigilant workers frequently have to stop camera toting tourists from entering, reminding them of the dress code. The odd thing is, these folks appear genuinely punch-drunk when they are denied entry on account of their short skirts, shorts, or tank tops. Their shock evinces the crux of the problem. For those Catholics stopped at the door, no one back home at their local parish ever told them about the basics of church attire. They are literally clueless.

The eagle-eyed vigilance at the churches in Rome is encouraging. The curious thing is that, here in the states, a similar standard is not enforced. Simply put, priests need to remind the flock. Otherwise, people will simply do what comes naturally, what's most common and what's easiest. And in the casual, sloppy America of today, this means shorts and tee shirts in the summer, every day, all day.