Article Review: National Catholic Register on The Law

"Women's Head Coverings at Mass: Won't Say I Told You So, But ..."

-- blog article in: National Catholic Register (www.NCRegister.com)
-- author: Jimmy Akin
-- religious description: Roman Catholic
-- head covering belief: "I have no problem with women wearing head coverings. In fact, I’m rather partial to the practice, and I fully support any woman’s right to wear one.. . . But I’m not going to falsify what the law requires concerning them."

This is a pretty thorough and recent article, written in response to replies made regarding an earlier essay written by this author. The discussion is a common one in Roman Catholic forums on the subject: the old law that a woman partaking in mass has to wear a head covering was not included in the Second Vatican Council and was done away with by the 1983 Code of Canon Law, and therefore women do not have to wear a veil to mass according to law. But wearing a covering is still a good thing. Discussions of this sort do not have to do - usually - with Biblical scripture, but the various writings and interpretations of canon law. Several quotes of which are included in this article,especially that of Cardinal Burke, a head man in the church court. He concludes that a woman who does not cover her head at any form of mass is not in violation of law, nor should she be considered a sinner in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church.

I appreciate his addendum here:

"Nevertheless, it is clear that those who participate in the extraordinary form of the Mass are intending to celebrate it as it was celebrated in 1962, to the extent provided by present law, and that included head coverings. Those regularly celebrating this form of the Roman Rite thus have an expectation that head coverings will be used. Failure to use them could be cause for puzzlement, even if it is not legally required. And the expectation (without legal requirement) may extend higher up the hierarchical chain, though Cardinal Burke does not make this clear."

Added interest and further study in this subject is included as you read past the author's signature in this blog, and arrive at the comments section. Comments sections must always be approached with a certain expectation of some good, some hostile, of course, and though I have not read through all of the seeming hundreds of comments, I did find this little tidbit, which I can also appreciate, from a writer called "Johnno":

"This is sort of in the same boat at kneeling for Holy Communion. I recognize that women do not need to wear a veil. But like not kneeling for Communion and receiving it on the tongue, a generation of women and men have lost a beautiful significance of such acts and the true reality and beauty that is before them."

I personally believe that covering for the explanations found in scripture are enough for me, but I also understand the additional ceremony and tradition of the Catholic church as it encourages seriousness, contemplation and humbleness when coming together to worship at a mass. Many folks do seem to think that modern philosophy, human perception (even when faulty) and fashion should alter tradition and even law. I suppose some folks would merely dismiss me as "conservative" or even closed minded, but I believe that there are some things that do not change. And an outward respect for GOD and the church of the believers (not to mention all others) is one thing that should not change.

Please read the article (and the links there, even), and let me know what you think.

LisaM

Article Review: Kings House on Christian Head Covering

"Head covering -- Women: Will You Cover Your Head?": An elucidation of first Corinthians chapter eleven

-- an article in kingshouse.org
-- religious description: "simply born-again believers in Christ"
-- author: "hissaint at hotmail dot com"
-- belief about head covering: yes.


I found this article a long time ago, when I was studying for myself on whether the head covering was for Christian women of today. This article is rather lengthy compared to some, but it is so thorough as to almost be usable as a small booklet, digestible over several studies. The article covers:

• the scripture from 1 Corinthians 11 with definitions and explanation
• many cross references throughout the Bible to show the consistency of the Word
• references to definitions of Greek and Hebrew from both Old and New sections of the Scriptures
• discussions on prayer, prophecy, angels, hair, creation order, gender roles, and church custom
• a list and quotation from writers throughout history from the earliest writers in the churches of Jesus Christ
• a series of quotations 'pro' and 'con' from more contemporary thought
• testimonies from women who cover

Here is the introduction of the piece:

Prolegomenon

"Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you." (Philemon 1:8,9)

The "modern" Christian, with regards to the issue of head coverings, might respond that it's "archaic" or "of the first century." However, it's in the Scriptures, and is taught to those true believers of the common faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. As always we truly want to be sound, accurate, and comprehensive in our research of this neglected topic. Most of us when reading 1 Corinthians 11 have accustomed ourselves to pass over this section with no thought as to its relevance for us today. However, I would like to lay down some undeniable facts on this topic before we begin.

Fact #1 - It's in the Holy Scriptures, whether it was for the first century or not, it's there and must be addressed.

Fact #2 - If we single this topic out with the acceptation of it being only for the primitive Church does that give us the license to do that with other genre of Scriptures?

Fact #3 - Seeing it's the work of the adversary to rob (Matthew 13:19; John 10:10) and deceive (Matthew 24:24; Revelation 20:3,8) is it not logical that he attempts to deceive the gullible in this topic also?

I find this article enlightening and thorough, as well as mostly an objective piece, one that presents the facts and allows the reader to come to their own conclusions. Of course, it also is encouraging to those who already use a head covering, or who support those who do, as the author illuminates many different aspects and reasoning for Christian head covering which may have not been thoroughly examined or understood. I recommend it as reading for all of the followers of this blog as well as those who may stumble across this blog who have never understood "those head coverings" and the people who wear them.

Please read this article, and post your response below for others to see. (I read through them first for spam.) I would like to hear from you.

LisaM