Archbishop bans "unclad" women from church 16 Mar 2016 Author: George Conger The Archbishop of Enugu has banned the display of cleavage in Anglican churches in southeastern Nigeria. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on 14 March 2016 the Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma said he had issued a pastoral directive to his clergy to inspect the décolletage of wedding dresses before solemnizing marriages to ensure they are not low cut. He further stated that an artfully draped veil would not suffice. “I have directed ushers and wardens in various churches in Enugu to ensure that no unclad dressed girl, lady or women enters into the Church under any guise.” NAN reported the order would be enforced: “Whether it is the Church wedding, reception or any other programme celebrated in the church or within the church premises.” The Anglican Church would work with the wives of senior government officials and other prominent women to raise the moral tone of church weddings, and would hold workshops for fashion designers to instruct them in what would be appropriate. “Fashion designers should be instrumental in dissuading our girls and mothers from the habit of wearing unclad dresses,” he said. Click here for the rest of the article: http://www.anglican.ink/article/archbishop-bans-unclad-women-church
Article XXXIV Of the Traditions of the Church It is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, and utterly like; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times, and men’s manners, so that nothing be ordained against God’s Word. Whosoever through his private judgement, willingly and purposely, doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, (that others may fear to do the like,) as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren. Every particular or national Church hath authority to ordain, change, and abolish, ceremonies or rites of the Church ordained only by man’s authority, so that all things be done to edifying. ______________________ I recall discussing a brides dress with a priest who thought it was revealing, whilst I thought it was 'eye catching'.
If we haven't grown enough spiritually to discern what is appropriate or inappropriate in God's sanctuary, then maybe we deserve to be spoonfed all over again.
Good for the Archbishop. I do not understand the need some women have to show their body to everyone in a crowd. Especially in a service where she is supposedly entering into a covenant with God and her husband. If a bride appeared like this for her wedding.....a shawl would be called for. Fr. Mark
I notice that Orthodox brides actually put a shawl. This seems to be norm also in the East African countries. It does look beautiful.
For a church wedding, modesty, holiness and the beauty of being a Christian bride should take precedence. If you want to dress according to other standards, there are other places to get married.