29 April 2025

Some ministers are disinclined to wear their robes when conducting worship in the kirk. Some wear a suit with tie or clerical collar. Some aren’t as formal as this. They wear assorted jackets or jumpers. Some wear jeans and T-shirt and so  on.

When talking about dress, it is important to state  that our outer appearance is not as important as our inner life. In writing to Christian women, Peter says, ‘Do not adorn yourselves outwardly…’ And  expands on this, ‘Rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit …’

In his letter to the Colossians, St. Paul says, ‘Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.’ This is the clothing which means more than anything else not least the outward garments which differentiate the rich and the poor.

In  choosing to wear something different than  the cassock and gown which ministers of the Church of Scotland have worn since the Reformation, we are obliged to make a choice – expensive or cheap, formal or casual, colourful or austere etc.

How many choices are there and how do these choices impact on the  worshipper? None of this comes in to play when I put on my cassock and gown. In doing this, I immediately make a connection with my forebears and present a recognisable image of an ordained minister of the Kirk.

Connecting with the past and living in solidarity with fellow ministers is what made the presentation of priests, bishops and cardinals so impressive at the funeral of Pope Francis. The one did not outdo the other. They each belonged to a distinctive tradition and were  in solidarity with one another and their Church. It was an impressive demonstration of  unity.