First Lady in a Long Black Veil

The July 11 front page of The Washington Postfeatured a charming photo of the President of the United States and his wife exchanging gifts with Pope Benedict XVI.  It was very interesting to me as a Catholic to see that Mrs. Obama was dressed according to what is probably the protocol for those fortunate to have and audience with the Pontiff. 

I’m wondering why protocol for the President, a male, was so different from the protocol for his wife?  Surely Mrs. Obama understands what business dress is and would array herself as appropriately as her husband did?  Surely her well toned arms would have been covered to avoid provoking any impure thoughts in the heads of the Pontiff or any of his aides.  Certainly, the obligatory black lace over her head was proof that the First Lady of the United States probably had heard how vulnerable the clergy are to seeing a woman’s lovely head uncovered.  Mrs. Obama  showed herself not only to be a dutiful wife, but also a good citizen representing her country in this diplomatic situation.  I am proud of Mrs. Obama, just as I am proud that she probably dressed her two young girls in the obligatory fashion, which is white lace, I believe.  

President and Mrs. Obama are not the focus of my questions and comments here.  Rather, I am saddened to see that Pope Benedict XVI, who seems such a learned man, has not abandoned the requisite dress for women who are received in his library.  The long black veil and the black clothing seem to me to reflect great sadness.  The women who come to visit the popes are generally some of the most well-educated, powerful women in the world.  Meeting and greeting powerful, good, successful women should be an occasion of joy and not shrouded in black.  And while I am happy–as a Catholic–that many in the world revere the pope the way they still seem to do despite the terrible scandals that are rocking the Church now, I wonder at this demeaning clothing requirement?  Why are men not asked to dress in soutanes???

Of course, many of us who still call ourselves Catholics struggle continuously with what we believe is second class status for women in Catholicism.  The fact that women are not allowed to be priests is the apex of this denegration.  Causing a woman to veil herself in the face of the pontiff is a perfect example of how women have yet to receive the fullness of the justice that our humanity deserves as members of the Catholic Church.