Bishops and Their Stoles
In the comments over at Holy Whapping, there is a little debate over whether a bishop should ever cross his stole over his chest in the manner of priests. The answer is plain, NEVER!
A priest crosses his stole over his chest in order to place a cross on his heart. A bishop, who by right wears a pectoral cross (which should always be under the chasuble, by the way), does NOT cross his stole over his chest because the pectoral cross serves the purpose of having a cross on one’s heart. The good Bishop of Rome, wearing a cope, shows the proper usage for a bishop:
As a completely random aside, the Vatican is in need of some better looking microphones, wouldn’t you agree?
Dive Deeper
GET CONFIDENT IN YOUR FAITH
Explore the fascinating world of Catholic teachings with Dr. Marshall. Together you’ll unpack the brilliant answers the Church gives to tough questions about the Faith. The best part: you go at your own pace. Start this exciting journey today.