The Vatican has always maintained a fairly strict dress code but after clamping down on policy early this week, its visitors have accused it of hypocrisy amid the current sex scandals. Until recently, tourists need only cover up when entering St Peter's Basilica, but earlier this week the Swiss Guard, the Pope's private army, extended the dress code to the rest of the Vatican City State.
Women with bare shoulders or short skirts and men wearing shorts were told to cover up or leave and many tourists were forced to find the nearest shops selling shawls and trousers.
Tourists complained of double standards since the Church is currently embroiled in sex scandals and cover-ups.
A woman in her seventies known as Maria said: "Given all the scandals the Church has been involved in, what possible right can it have to be preaching about the morality of sleeveless dresses?"
Locals are also being forced to cover up when visiting the Vatican's pharmacy, supermarket and post office.
Visitors felt that the Church should have more pressing issues to concern themselves with than a dress code, since many senior figures in the Church, including Pope Benedict XVI, are being accused of failing to prevent priests from sexually abusing children.
What do you think? Is the Vatican's dress code hypocritical? Leave your comments below...
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Thursday 29 July
By Caroline
The Vatican has always traditionally been very conservative in their dress code. Tourists visiting the Vatican City have always been directed to cover shoulders, knees etc.
In reference to double standards. The behaviour of some priests within the church has certainly been disgraceful and the way in which it has been handled has been anything but sufficient. However the dress code has no bearing on this whatsoever. The Pope needs to take a firm hand in dealing with all issues. One of the problems was that the church has not had an open and strict enough attitude towards its members.
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Thursday 29 July
By Richard
The Catholic church needs to get their prioritis in order. Banning priests from going within a mile of a 10 year old would be a start.
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Thursday 29 July
By David Miles
I have two words to say.
"Swiss Guards."
Is the Vatican trying to to compete with the extreme wing of the Muslims?
Nothing in the Bible (or in the Q'oran) even hints at any form of clothing restrictions.
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Thursday 29 July
By archeum@aol.co.uk
David, you are wrong my friend. The Koran does impsoe a dress code. The Bible too indirectly refers to how one should be clothed.....Not just because teh Bible does not specifically mentioned any dress code, then you are entitled to enter a religious place with short skirts showing the disgusting legs or tatoos or sweaaring flimsy tops showing the breast, or belly button...it is a church, respect it, cause no one will dress like a pope or muslim mullah to attend a disco party or wedding party.
It is all about common sense and how to use the brain...
Thursday 29 July
By john lloyd
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". they don`t have clean hands and it is only by the grace of our LORD JESUS that they and we are saved,
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Thursday 29 July
By lynda sowler
As a catholic myself I cannot understand why the length of a skirt or the fact that a dress has a sleeve or not has to become a reason for the vatican to ban people,Men wearing shorts are ok surely as long has they have something respectful on at the top.There are certain things you would not wear to go in to any church.The majority of people visiting any religious place are respectful and the few that are not have to be told but one has to remember that Jesus himself mixed with everyone and at no time in any gospel did he tell someone what to wear.The church is in the middle of a crisis of confidence with regard to some of its own morals and I feel it should not be" judging books by covers".
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Thursday 29 July
By leggyb
Have they got an interest in the concessions selling cover ups? They are after all one of the leading world authorities on cover-ups. Hand your pervy priests over to the police and stop dictating to everyone else. You no longer have any moral authority!
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Thursday 29 July
By paul
when in Rome do as the Romans do. Period
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Thursday 29 July
By Mohamed
I agree with Caroline. Not just because a few priests have done silly things that anyone can enter in the Vatican like almost being naked by the way they are dressed. Only the fools will think like this.
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Thursday 29 July
By Kris
Does this mean a Scotsman can't wear his kilt!!!!!
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