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The Lord invites women to dress in a modest way, as suggested in the Holy Scriptures, and so help foster chastity in themselves and in others.

The Lord invites women to dress in a modest way, as suggested in the Holy Scriptures, and so help foster chastity in themselves and in others.

The Lord invites women to dress in a modest way, as suggested in the Holy Scriptures, and so help foster chastity in themselves and in others.

Christ asks us not to allow ourselves to become distressed, whilst praying at Mass, about inaudible readings or the immodest clothing of ministers of Communion. We should rejoice in His Real Presence in the tabernacle and, later, on the altar; it is normally later that we should speak about or work to change whatever is unworthy of God's house.

Low-cut necklines are so common-place that Christian women are sometimes slow to realise the importance of modesty. This requires a careful and sensible attitude to clothing, so that no immodest garments make life more difficult for men to be chaste. All immodest clothing should be altered or thrown away - and certainly not given away, for other people to wear it.

In Christ's sight, teachers of the faith ought to embody it. It is not enough for teachers to believe in the articles of the Faith, if they do not show out the virtues, including chastity, for example. Women, especially, should pay attention to their clothing and avoid immodest garments or styles which tempt other people to have unchaste thoughts.

We must expect to meet criticism, especially about chastity. Critics of Christians and Christianity call good people 'prudish' or old-fashioned, when care is taken to wear modest clothing, to lead chaste lives, and to avoid indecent films and art displays, and to protest at public nudity. This must not deter Christians from keeping the Commandments, and striving to be 'as pure as Christ'.

If women do not cover their hair in church, they should at least control it. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass should be respected as a sacred rite, carefully choreographed, with reverent and beautifully-vested Clergy. If women are sometimes allowed in the sanctuary, they ought not to be given privileges proper to the clergy; and they should be invited to attend to their hair and clothing, in honour of almighty God.

There exists in the Church widespread ignorance about reverence. It is a cause for sadness when a woman appears in church for the Sacred Liturgy whilst bare-shouldered, and showing no concern for the people who will be distracted by her appearance. She might not be entirely to blame; but in her immodesty she shows little respect for her all-holy Creator to Whom all worship is directed.

We should not stroll through church as if through a market. Every Catholic church is a holy temple for God, sanctified by having being consecrated by a Bishop as a place for solemn worship, and sanctified by the Real Presence there of Jesus Christ, in sacramental form. All who enter, therefore, should show respect both for God and fellow worshippers, so neither offending God by irreverence or immodest attire, nor distracting others.