Dignity and Decorum Now, let’s look at the question of the trousers from another important perspective, namely that of dignity. Have you ever noticed what priests at the altar, magistrates in court, kings and queens in their regalia all have in common? They are wearing robes that flow and drape in a regal manner that is not formfitting and that conceal rather than reveal the presence of the human being who present. This concealment plays a key role in stressing the dignity of their office. It means that when we are in their presence, we do not think so much of their merely mortal functions, but rather are drawn to focus on the elevated and sublime nature of what they symbolise. These roles all reveal and allude to the plan of God’s eternal wisdom: the priest who takes the place of Christ on earth (alter Christus); the judge who dispenses justice; the political powers who rule for the common good as representatives of God; woman, the bearer and nurturer of new life and the vessel of God’s love. This is perhaps the most important reason for which a woman should always wear a dress or a skirt: it both adorns and safeguards her beautiful and delicate feminine dignity. Every woman is by nature equipped to be a mother, and a mother is, naturally speaking, the most dignified position on earth. By her very nature she contributes to society, either through the raising of children or through the feminine influence that speaks to the heart of all those around her. When a man sees a woman in a beautiful, long, modest dress, his reaction is instinctively one of reverence and honour as he finds himself in the presence of an awesome mystery that his nature tells him must be respected. Whereas immodest dress and trousers detract significantly from feminine dignity, a modest dress makes her look like a queen, so worthy of honour that to touch her, and even to have unbecoming thoughts about her, would be a sacrilege. Cardinal Siri concluded his thoughts with these strong words: “Experience teaches us that when woman is de-feminised, defences are undermined and weakness increases... The changing of feminine psychology does fundamental and – in the long run – irreparable damage to the family, to conjugal fidelity, to human affections and to human society. True, the effects of wearing unsuitable dress are not all to be seen within a short time. But one must think of what is being slowly and insidiously worn down, torn apart, perverted. Is any satisfying reciprocity between husband and wife imaginable, if feminine psychology be 79
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