[IronJack]

Would Christ have denied His message to anyone based on the way they were dressed? Would you? Isn’t it better these girls be in church dressed inappropriately than not in church at all? Sounds to me like the complainers need to spend more time asking for help with their lustful thoughts and less time judging the admittedly iffy fashion choices of others.

[Carpe Cerevisi]

If you were going to meet an earthly King, you would most likely dress in an appropriate manner. When people go to meet the King of Kings at Mass they dress like they’re going to meet the Kings of Leon.

[353FMG]

What kind of inane question is that?

Ever heard of discipline in mind and body? Ever heard of showing RESPECT of the Blessed Sacrament? Ever heard of parents giving good examples to their children?

I take it you know nothing about the pre-Vatican II days. Saturdays were the days that confession was heard. One had to stand in a long line to get to the confessional. Many did not receive Communion the next day because they knew that they were not a state of grace (a private matter that is not part of this discussion).

Today, the confessionals are empty but every body receives Communion. You’re probably going to tell me that we have become a holier people since Vat.Counc.II. and are therefore not as much in need of the Sacrament of Penance.

Yeah, right.

[SuziQ]

I understand what you're saying, but frankly, it's also incumbent upon the parents of teenagers to expect a certain level of dress when attending Mass. It isn't a soccer game, or a social outing; it is the celebration of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the Cross, and care SHOULD be taken in how one dresses for it. I'm not saying that women need to come in dresses, hats and pantyhose; I certainly don't wear them. It is possible to dress modestly, without looking like a prude, and I think it's right to remind people, from time to time, of why they are there.

If they're planning to go somewhere else, afterwards, they can bring along their shorts and change into them after Mass. And if they're wearing a tiny tank top, they can certainly put a short sleeved shirt over it.

I think the author is right; most parents just don't think about it, because no one is telling them what 'appropriate attire' means. Might be a good idea for the Religious Ed. directors to include something about proper dress for Mass in the curriculum for the kids, and pass that information along to the parents. It can be worded in a positive way; the suggestion is to dress as though they're going someplace special, not just down the street to a pool party, and suggestions about what is IMPROPER can be made at that time. Educating the parents will help them choose correctly, and will come as second nature to the kids as they get older.

I don't have a problem with flip-flops or sandals, short sleeved or sleeveless shirts, or even pants or capris on women. I do have a problem with midriff baring, skin-tight tank tops, or short shorts with messages imprinted on the behind on women, or t-shirts with messages like "Coed Naked Volleyball", on men.

Yes, we want the young people in Church, but remember, even Jesus told the parable about the man being invited to a banquet, then getting thrown out, when he was found to be in improper dress. The man wasn't showing the proper respect for the occasion, and neither are the people who come to Mass in all manner of inappropriate clothing.

[Salvation]

Your question is not relevant to this discussion. In those days of Christ, women wore long dresses, covered their entire arms and wore a veil over their head.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Isn’t it better these girls be in church dressed inappropriately than not in church at all?

No

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury," Galatians 5:19 (emphasis added)