What is the rationale for Pope Hats?

Question

I grew Catholic, and never understood this . . . some of the vestments were kind of silly, but all the ceremonial (non-skull cap) hats worn by bishops, archbishops, cardinals (especially cardinals!) and the pope seem over-the-top silly, not to mention impractical. After all, they are rather easily knocked off by disrespectful hand-slapping, or a sudden gust of wind . . .

(no, I don't know the proper names for those silly hats . . . )

any Biblical justification, for those in the know?

http://www.elftown.com/start.html

f o ---what in the world are you talking about? o_____O

Answer 1

There are several:

The Papal Tiara, also known as the Triple Tiara, or in Latin as the 'Triregnum', and in Italian as the 'Triregno', is the three-tiered jewelled papal crown, supposedly of Byzantine and Persian origin, that is a prominent symbol of the papacy. The Supreme Pontiff's arms have featured a "tiara" since ancient times, notably in combination with Saint Peter's crossed keys.

There is the standard Bishop's mitre: In its modern form in Western Christianity, the mitre is a tall folding cap, consisting of two similar parts (the front and back) rising to a peak and sewn together at the sides. Two short lappets always hang down from the back.

In the Roman Catholic church, the right to wear the mitre is confined by Canon law to bishops (including the pope). Cardinals are now always bishops (since the time of Pope John XXIII), but previously even those cardinals who were not bishops and have been given special permission by the pope to decline consecration as bishops may wear the mitre. Abbots and other prelates are granted the use of the mitre by special privilege.

Then, the one you think is silly - the one worn by Cardinals...is called a biretta. Priests wear them, too. So do Bishops. Priest's birettas are black, Cardinal's birettas are red...and Bishops wera purple or magenta-colored birettas.

Answer 2

Raven's answer is excellent! The mitre is indeed meant to emulate the headcoverings worn by Biblical high priests. It is also worth noting that its symbolism has evolved a bit. The mitre has two points (front and back), one for the Old Testament and one for the New Testament. They are bound together in one Christian faith (the silk that forms the middle) so that the wearer's thoughts and teachings (the mitre is worn on the head) and guidance of his flock may be soundly based on the Word of God. I don't remember where I heard that, but I've always thought it is a very neat symbolism for the mitre.

Answer 3

The mitre imitates the Old Testament priestly headcovering and is the headdress of bishops, worn at liturgical functions. It is either precious, golden (orphreyed), or simple (simplex).

The precious mitre is worn by celebrants, the simple by concelebrants, and the golden by the celebrant at an ordination. All cardinals wear a damasked mitre (simplex) in presence of the Pope. It is very tall and made of layered white damask silk.


Leviticus 8:9
"And he put the mitre upon his head; also upon the mitre, upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the holy crown; as the LORD commanded Moses."

Exodus 28:36-37
"Thou shalt make also a plate of the purest gold: wherein thou shalt grave with engraver's work, Holy to the Lord. And thou shalt tie it with a violet fillet, and it shall be upon the mitre."

Answer 4

There isn't any biblical justification for mitres - worn by bishops, archbishops, cardinals and the pope. They're a historical and cultural development. Pontifical mitres, as they are referred to, developed from Roman headwear - called a camelaucum - that was a non-liturgical headpiece made of stiffened white material shaped like a helmet. They then became a sign of rank and status within the Church over time. They also changed shape, which you can see if you go to http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10404a.htm

Answer 5

I think they just stuck as proper attire for that type of clergy. Remember back in the popes and cardinals where given gifts of gold and money and were therefore very wealthy. They adorned themselves as such and after all this passed I guess the embelished hats just stuck.

Answer 6

If your the pope, why not have an audacious hat to go with it? It makes him stand out in a crowd. Everybody knows he's the pope.

Answer 7

think about the time frame these things were created in. most people could put enough food on their tables and no money for anything else. they went to see the leaders of the church and to see them in their 'finery' made them feel that the church was powerful and protecting them. apparently they never realized that the church was just taking their money so that a few men could live in luxury while they starved...

Answer 8

It seems Cj just cant get his head out of his butt.

Protestants are of your father the devil
Therefore the blind Protestants are truly stupid fools...
Now just look at these miserable, blind, and senseless people.
their blindness and arrogance are as solid as steel.
Learn from this, what you are doing if you permit the blind Protestants to mislead you. Then this will apply, "When a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the pit" you cannot learn anything from them except how to misunderstand the divine commandments...Guard against the Protestant, knowing that wherever they have their meeting halls, nothing is found but a den of devils in which self-glory, conceit, lies, blasphemy, and defaming of God and men are practiced. they have not acquired a perfect mastery of the art of lying; they lie so and ineptly that anyone who is just a little observant can easily detect it. But for us Christians they stand as a terrifying example of God's wrath.

We must avoid confirming them in their wanton lying, slandering, cursing, and defaming. Or we make ourselves partners in their devilish ranting and raving by shielding and protecting them, or by other neighborly acts...
If I had to refute all the other articles of the Protestant faith, I would have to write against them for as long a time as they have used for inventing their lies-- over 500 years Christ and his word can hardly be recognized because of the great vermin of human ordinances. However, let this suffice for the time being on their lies against doctrine or faith

It cannot be anything but the terrible wrath of God which permits anyone to sink into such abysmal, devilish, hellish, envy, and arrogance. If I were curse the devil himself I would be unable to wish him such evil and misfortune as God's wrath inflicts on the Protestant, compelling them to lie and to blaspheme so monstrously, in violation of their own conscience. Anyway, they have their reward for constantly giving God the lie.

Therefore we Christians, should not to tolerate their wanton and conscious blasphemy.
If we wish to wash our hands of the Protestant blasphemy and not share in their guilt, we have to part company with them. They must be driven away. That everyone would be glade to be rid of them. Undoubtedly they do more and viler things than those which we know and discover. they remain our daily murderers and bloodthirsty foes in their hearts. Their prayers and curses furnish evidence of that. May Christ, our dear Lord, convert them mercifully and preserve us steadfastly and immovably in the knowledge of him, which is eternal life.

Answer 9

Since I have Catholic relatives, I know why they all wear those hats, it is so God doesn't strike em dead, when he feels like it.
Heard so many jjokes about Nuns Habits while growing up too.

Answer 10

They are used for keeping emergency snacks. Poping is hungry work.