BS: Catholic bigotry in the Sistine Chapel

Subject: RE: BS: Catholic bigotry in the Sistine Chapel
From: G-Force
Date: 03 Oct 18 - 06:19 AM

I was refused entry to the big Russian Orthodox church in Nice because I had shorts on. I don't have a problem with that, I just wish I'd known in advance. There was a bloke outside in trousers, waiting for his wife to come out. I offered to swap trousers with him, but I don't think he understood my French.

Subject: RE: BS: Catholic bigotry in the Sistine Chapel
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Oct 18 - 05:40 AM

The Sistine Chapel was strict on dress codes. It was only 18C the day we went so I wasn't inordinately uncomfortable in my lightweight long pants (cheapies bought specially for the trip). Elsewhere in Italy you are sort of expected to cover up a bit in churches, but I find that the rule is very patchily applied. If they think you might spend money, you're in as long as you're not exactly bollock-naked. Occasionally an old lady at the door will provide a modesty wrap for women's bare shoulders. Ordinary shorts, as opposed to Daisy Dukes, are almost always OK everywhere. I suppose it's a risk turning up to some holy place unprepared, especially if it's one you dearly want to see. In dozens of visits to churches all over Italy, I've worn shorts, the Sistine Chapel being the only exception. But then I'm just a very unsexy-looking bloke. A good idea is to have a pair of pants that have zip-off legs that you can keep in your bag, just in case. I did that in Venice but never needed to zip them back on!

Subject: RE: BS: Catholic bigotry in the Sistine Chapel
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Oct 18 - 04:34 AM

Well I was there in April and, despite the ban, I took lots of photos. They simply couldn't stop us in spite of jobsworths everywhere shouting at us not to. A far more outrageous incident was a priest in one corner with an extremely loud tannoy forcing us into silence and "leading us in prayer," atheists, protestants, Muslims, Jews, the lot.

Don't drink water from the drinking fountains in the adjoining Vatican Museums. I did, and spent four days in bed back at home with vicious gastroenteritis. Mrs Steve didn't and didn't. If you ever go, the four Raphael Rooms are just as stunning as the Sistine Chapel. You'll be lucky to avoid horrendous crowds and queuing if you ever go.

Subject: RE: BS: Catholic bigotry in the Sistine Chapel
From: Senoufou
Date: 03 Oct 18 - 03:50 AM

I've visited dozens of mosques over the years (eg the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the huge mosque at Kairouan in Tunisia and the one at the University in Norwich) and have always been given a veil to cover my hair. I always wore a full-length skirt and a loose top with sleeves. (and slipped my shoes off at the door)
Didn't mind in the least, it's their religion and their dress code.

As a child I was often taken to Catholic Mass with my RC cousin. She always wore a lovely lace mantilla, and lent me one, which I thought was delightful. Again, it seemed quite natural as that was the norm in those days.

Later in life, I sometimes attended Mass at a Catholic church in Norwich, and was touched to see a large family of Travellers seated in a pew. They were very poorly dressed, muddy jeans, ragged dirty T shirts, scruffy shoes, but they were welcomed and embraced by the priest and many of the congregation. That was lovely too.

I reckon if one goes out to, say, a posh restaurant, or a job interview or even as a guest to a wedding, there is usually a dress code.

I wouldn't dream of visiting my African Muslim family without having my legs entirely covered in a long skirt. One just does NOT show one's legs there!

I think the 'touching up little boys' is a separate issue.

Subject: BS: Catholic bigotry in the Sistine Chapel
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 03 Oct 18 - 03:03 AM

I remember being forced to wear long trousers in there on a 40C day, women were being forced to cover shoulders, hair and knees - what absolute bollocks. They don't mind Irish priests touching up little boys though do they!!!

Some friends of ours recently visited the Sistine Chapel and despite the no photography rule, took many superb stealth photos!!!