Why do clergymen wear dog-collars?
“Roman collar.” It is said to be a stylized version of the neck cloth worn by cultured men of the 18th century. Interestingly, prior to the 6th century, church leaders wore no special garments. They dressed the same as all other church members. During the 17th century churches began to insist on their clerics dressing in black, likely to emphasize the seriousness and solemnity of their profession. In 1884, the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore issued a decree that all Catholic clergymen must wear their collar when outside of their homes. Today one will see the collar worn by ministers of the Lutheran and Episcopal churches. Some Methodist and Presbyterians and others of lesser bodies also choose this adornment. The reversed collar is an integral part of the clergy dress worn by those ministers. The primary purpose for the special attire is (1) to separate them from the lay people, i.e., the common folks of their churches. Along with their special clothing goes the special religious ti
