Why do vicars/priests wear "dog collars" (and/or why don't they)?

[littleducks]

I have had a quick look on wiki. But was hoping for a but more personal insight.

I was talking to a mum who had a baby ill in scbu during a norovirus outbreak and she was chatting about how tough not being allowed visitors had been, especially as she had other children at home. Then she made a comment about how they had let her vicar in to see her and baby but he had turned up "in his dog-collar even though he doesn't normally."

So it got me wondering about how they are viewed nowadays

[thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts]

It is a uniform and makes the wearer identifiable as a priest. I just about always wear black as it makes choosing what to wear in the morning nice and easy. Black shirt, black trousers, black jacket/jumper; simples.

My impression is that in the UK those ministers who come from a more congregational or protestant background are the ones who are more likely to be in civvies but that may be a geographical.

A dog collar is useful when getting into hospital. I've always managed to get into wards where my pastoral care team have had to talk their way in just with a smile.

[vicarlady]

As above. I usually wear black and a clerical (aka dog) collar. Easily identified, don't have to think what to wear and makes doing the laundry very simple! I have had some very moving and interesting conversations in places like supermarket check outs and on trains.

[littleducks]

Thanks for the replies.

Is it a more "modern" thing not to wear one and less priests do now? Or just that some churches don't (and never did) and there is more exposure of other churches etc on TV/media etc so it seems like they are worn less? (To me at least in my never having really considered it before world)

[iklboo]

Can I ask a silly question? Do you have other ID? I mean, could someone just rock up in fake 'dog collar' dressed in black & talk their way onto a ward with a smile - or does the hospital have a list of local clergy?

[iklboo]

Sorry just read that back & it sounded so snippy!!! I didn't mean it like that - I was pondering a short story plot-line & wondered if that would work.

[thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts]

Not a silly question. The hospital staff will all know the hospital chaplains and the only time I've been up to the hospital to see people I don't know is at the chaplain's invitation. This is usually because there is need of a priest and no one ordained on duty in the chaplaincy team. Usually I'm seeing people I know and who recognise me which is obvious to the medical staff who are always on the ward.

In theory you could dress as a priest or a doctor or a nurse and get onto a ward. I carry photo ID.

[iklboo]

Thanks greenheart!

[SconeRhymesWithGone]

I don't know about the UK, but in the US, it's mainly Catholic and Episcopal (Anglican) clergy who wear a clerical collar, and many of them don't wear it when off duty.

[FrancisdeSales]

In my (subjective) experience younger (35 and under) Catholic priests are often more orthodox in their beliefs and therefore wear their clerical clothes identifying them as a priest most of the time. If I see a priest or a religious sister or brother wearing a habit I will often approach them and have a chat. I had a long chat with a Franciscan at Heathrow last year. Wearing a dog collar is very counter-cultural and makes a public statement which as a believing Catholic I like to see.