Sunday, July 13, 2008

John Paul II: Krakow



There are some splendid pictures on Hallowed Ground of the late Pope, when he was Archbishop of Krakow. In the first one he wears the Rationale a vestment worn by only a few European bishops, it is a reminder of Ephod of the Jewish High Priests, the Krakowian form is reminiscent of a wide Pallium with double tails.
The other picture shows the very practical sable(?) lined Cardinalation coat which despite its evident practicality was, I think, forbidden by Paul VI.

1 comment:

Physiocrat said...

A sable is a relation of stoats and weasels and otters, ie a member of the Mustelidae family.

The animals live in the pine forests of eastern Europe and have long been valuable for their fur. But hunting them involves trapping and they die slowly, horribly and in great pain. Which makes sable clothing unsuitable wear for any cleric. So good riddance to this item. Better the modern equivalent, a windproof fleece made out of recycled plastic bottles. If the cut is unsuitable, no doubt a creative ecclesiastical tailor could conjure up something appropriate from the material. It would be useful for funerals on cold windy days, at the very least. But no fur from trapped wild animals please.

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