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UK News

Clergy now allowed to swap robes for casual looks

by Tola Mbakwe

The rule was formed during the synod's last day of its July session.

Rev Alistair McHaffie from the diocese of Blackburn told Premier's News Hour he agrees with the rule change because it keeps  up with the current culture.

He said: "Years ago my father would wear a shirt and tie when he went out. Nowadays normal dress is jeans and trainers. All this is doing is reflecting the way society is. We're no longer such a formal society. "

Rev McHaffie doesn't wear a robe to his church, but rather wears a sports jacket and a white clerical collar so he can be identified as the vicar.

He told Premier, robes are fine in traditional demographics, but in order to be more relatable to others, it's important to look approachable.

He said: "If we as a the Church plan to reach out with the gospel to folks who have never come into contact with the Church, and they come in to a church and find people dressed in rather a quaint, unusual, old-fashioned way, it may well put up a few barriers in terms of them relating to the gospel.

"I think when clergy are able to dress down it's a good thing."

The new rule does not mandate clergy to dress, but rather gives them the option to. However, they must get permission of their parochial church council. If there's a disagreement, the bishop of the diocese is the tie breaker.

In regards to weddings, funerals and baptisms, the opinions of the participants are supposed to be taken into consideration.

McHaffie told Premier: "I think the point is it's an option; it's not as if churches or clergy are being forced to change. If they want to wear the fancy robes they can continue as they wish. It just allows a little flexibility."  

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