Why have Catholic women traditionally worn hats in church? Are bareheaded women forbidden to enter Catholic churches?
The Apostle Paul explains that Catholic women should cover their heads while in church: “You yourselves judge: doth it become a woman, to pray unto God uncovered?” (I Cor. 11:13). “Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, disgraceth his head. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head not covered, disgraceth her head: for it is all one as if she were shaven….” (I Cor. 11:4-5). Paul’s words do not imply that the Church is closed to women who have no head covering immediately available, nor does the custom of the Catholic Church imply this.
Author: Paul Whitcomb
Nihil Obstat: Rev. Edmund J. Bradley Censor Deputatus
Imprimatur: Timothy Manning, Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles, Vicar General
April 13, 1961
Historical language and viewpoints in the original collection are preserved. For current official teaching, consult the Catechism and the Holy See.
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