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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Footwear in the Church	G.D	Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Question: Dear Bro.Ignatius, This question may seem silly but I want it dealt with once and for all. Coming from India, some Hindus have pointed out that we are being disrespectful when we wear our shoes to Church and especially when we consider it a holy place. I know this is not an issue in most Catholic Churches elsewhere in the world. But some Churches in India have signs outside stating, "The place you are entering is Holy, kindly leave your footwear outside". So why are only some Churches holier than others. I want to be prepared with a good explanation when this topic comes up again. I personally have no issue with it. Thank you for you time.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD Dear G.D.: The issue of footwear in Church is purely a cultural issue. It has absolutely nothing to do with some Catholic Churches being holier than others. There is no such thing. What makes all Catholic Churches a holy place is our Lord. In some cultures one removes one's shoes before entering any holy place. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." In other words, in India and other places with this tradition, follow the tradition and remove your shoes. This tradition is not present in the United States or in most of the world. Thus, in areas where this is not the tradition, wear shoes. St. Paul makes this point about eating meat offered to idols. He says if the household does not eat that meat, then do not eat it. If the household does eat that meat, then eat it. Follow the tradition of the house (1 Corinthians 8:1-13). Same goes for footwear. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Footwear in the Church

G.D

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Question:

Dear Bro.Ignatius,
This question may seem silly but I want it dealt with once and for all. Coming from India, some Hindus have pointed out that we are being disrespectful when we wear our shoes to Church and especially when we consider it a holy place. I know this is not an issue in most Catholic Churches elsewhere in the world. But some Churches in India have signs outside stating, "The place you are entering is Holy, kindly leave your footwear outside". So why are only some Churches holier than others. I want to be prepared with a good explanation when this topic comes up again. I personally have no issue with it.
Thank you for you time.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Dear G.D.:

The issue of footwear in Church is purely a cultural issue. It has absolutely nothing to do with some Catholic Churches being holier than others. There is no such thing. What makes all Catholic Churches a holy place is our Lord.

In some cultures one removes one's shoes before entering any holy place. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." In other words, in India and other places with this tradition, follow the tradition and remove your shoes.

This tradition is not present in the United States or in most of the world. Thus, in areas where this is not the tradition, wear shoes.

St. Paul makes this point about eating meat offered to idols. He says if the household does not eat that meat, then do not eat it. If the household does eat that meat, then eat it. Follow the tradition of the house (1 Corinthians 8:1-13). Same goes for footwear.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum