It is with a heavy heart that I post this but it does not diminish my outrage. The Church of St Anthony in Singapore has threatened to stop my wife from attending Mass if she wore pants that do not meet their requirements – they say the dress is not “appropriate”.
Please visit the new Page: Dress Code – St Anthony on the header above for background.
Following is the email exchange I had with the Rev Fr.Terence Pereira, the Parish Priest of St Anthony’s Church, Singapore
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On Jan 29, 2012, at 6:22 PM, Eric Alagan wrote:
Attention: Parish Priest
Rev Fr. Terence Pereira
I am all for proper attire when attending church. But the question that is begging an answer is – what constitutes ‘proper’ attire.
Samfoo pants suit is an ethnic wear
Today, Sunday 29th January, a churchwarden stopped my wife Lisa Chew after the 9.15 AM Mass to remind her to wear ‘proper’ attire. Otherwise, my wife will be barred from attending Mass.
My question is: who decided that this attire is improper – see picture attached. Was this an arbitrary decision by some ill-informed and poorly led wardens or is this coming from your office?
I would appreciate some clarification to put this matter to rest.
Thank you,
Eric Alagan
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From: Terence Pereira
Sent: Monday, 30 January, 2012 4:48 PM
To: Eric Alagan
Subject: Re: Proper Attire
Attention: Eric Alagan
Rev Fr Terence Pereira
The decision was taken that pants when worn should cover the ankle. One or two inches above the ankle would be tolerated.
This was made at the Exco meeting.
From the picture, it seems the warden took the approximate measurement from the ground rather than from then the ankle.
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On Jan 30, 2012, at 5:10 PM, Eric Alagan wrote:
Attention: The Parish Priest
Thank you.
Your reply is unclear – was the warden right or wrong?
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From: Terence Pereira
Sent: Monday, 30 January, 2012 5:29 PM
To: Eric Alagan
Subject: Re: Proper Attire
I am not sure, I wasn’t there and it is not clear from the picture.
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From: Eric Alagan
Sent: Monday, 30 January, 2012 5:41 PM
To: ‘Terence Pereira’
Subject: FW: Proper Attire
Thank you.
I assume from your responses, this ruling about “should cover the ankle. One or two inches above the ankle would be tolerated” has your knowledge and approval. This has obviously led to miscommunications, apparent arbitrary decisions and sown the seeds of discord.
How do you reconcile this ruling with the fact that people in knee-length skirts, saris that bare mid drifts and so forth are allowed into the church. I find these acceptable. If you and the EXCO find such wear acceptable – how is it that pantsuits with a few inches above the ankle is disallowed?
Please clarify how does this constitute “improper’ wear – does it offend any sensitivities, outrages anyone’s modesty? Whose? Pray reveal these puritans!
Please understand that I prefer to resolve this within St Anthony and in private. However, I am ready to pursue this matter in a public forum if required.
I would appreciate a considered opinion and an undertaking from you that you will advise the EXCO to rethink their decision. I look forward to this assurance.
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After several emailed reminders, he replied as follows using my email as template:
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From: Terence Pereira [mailto:cgaarm@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, 1 February, 2012 4:27 PM
To: Eric Alagan
Subject: Re: Proper Attire
Some replies:
How do you reconcile this ruling with the fact that people in knee length skirts, saris that bare mid drifts and so forth are allowed into the church. I find these acceptable. If you and the EXCO find such wear acceptable – how is it that pantsuits with a few inches above the ankle is disallowed?
TERENCE PEREIRA: Skirts will be taken as skirts and if they are shorter than the knee level, they will be dealt with the same as pantsuits. Pants will be compared with pants and pantsuits.
My reply to him on the same email: What about saris?
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Please clarify how does this constitute “improper’ wear – does it offend any sensitivities, outrages anyone’s modesty? Whose? Pray reveal these puritans!
TERENCE PEREIRA: There is no mention of modesty or immodesty. We say appropriate for pants to be full length.
My reply to him on the same email: What is the purpose of “appropriate” clothing – if not for purposes of respect and modesty?
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I would appreciate a considered opinion and an undertaking from you that you will advise the EXCO to rethink their decision. I look forward to this assurance.
TERENCE PEREIRA: The PPC will be considering these things in their upcoming meeting.
(Interesting that at first he says EXCO* – which meets once a month, and now he says PPC**. No idea when the next PPC meeting will be held. What happens when we go to church this weekend – why should we allow someone to dictate to us on fashion wear – would any husband tolerate this insult to his wife, any woman accept this?
I would think an urgent meeting would be in order as several couples have been barred. In one instant a kid – yes, a kid – who wore slacks with a hem above the ankle was barred and the entire family walked away! In another instance, a lady who wore a Punjabi dress was stopped – but she brushed the warden aside and stomped into church. It is a tinderbox waiting for a spark)
*EXCO - made up of representatives of all the ministries in the church and presided over by Rev Fr. Terence Pereira. Incidentally, the EXCO met on 1 Feb and to the best of my knowledge, the parish priest did not table this item for discussion.
*PPC – Parish Pastoral Council, the council that manages church affairs and is made up of elected lay people and presided over by Rev Fr. Terence Pereira.
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According to the “appropriate” attire demanded by Rev Fr. Terence Pereira and his EXCO, even if our Lord Jesus Christ appeared, they would turn HIM away. Just take a moment to think about that – they will turn HIM away.
HE might not be riding a donkey, but as HIS tunic is several inches above the ankles…tsk! tsk! tsk! Not “appropriate”
The Pharisees and Sadducees who charged and murdered our Lord on the cross are very much alive today and striving amongst us, it would seem.
We welcome your comments – but please refrain from posting anything libellous or anything against the Church or its teachings. One misguided man does not the Church make.
Our aim is to point out to this parish priest and some members of his EXCO that insistence on their definition of “appropriate” attire for adults and children needs a complete review.
We want a DRESS CODE REVIEW!
To show your support (please do one or more of the following):
1. Tick “Like”
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5. Write directly to Rev Fr. Terence Pereira. His email: cgaarm@gmail.com
Thank you for your visit, support and comments.
Peace upon all of us, including Rev Fr. Terence Pereira.
Razor TV > Ground Zero
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The ST reported that The Archdiocese of Singapore “will approach churches to find out the attire guidelines they put out and how they are enforced.”
