MINNESOTA TWOFER

Bishop Jelinek? I guess you didn't get the memo but if you're going to rock the flames theme, it's best not have them look like they're coming from that direction. I know that your side of the aisle stopped believing in the concept years ago but this sort of thing just gives wise-ass bloggers one more thing to make fun of you for.

As a matter of fact, Bishop Prior, I would like fries with that. Thanks very much for asking.

UPDATE: This consecration might very well have been the perfect bad vestment storm. This seems to have been what was on the back of Bishop Jelinek's ensemble. And check out the stole on the guy in front of him. Props to Greg Griffith.

BIG TENT

Here at Bad Vestments, there's not one right answer as to why a particular vestment is not up to scratch. Damian Thompson, for example, thinks that Vincent Nichols, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, has just joined the cast of Star Trek. Me, I'm leaning to early to mid-1970's high school art teacher.

OFFICIALLY LICENSED

Scott Gunn sends along pictures of this New Orleans fellow. "When The Saints Go Marching In." Saints. Get it? He's a Christian minister so he has something about saints. HAAAAAAAAAAH!!

Look, I see dude working, I really do. New Orleans has been through a rough stretch and this is the first world title in any sport that town has ever had so why not celebrate?

But there's an expression in American sports. Act like you've been here before. When the St. Louis Cardinals make the World Series, you don't see ministers in my home town rocking the birds on the bat on their chasubles or copes.

Want to work Drew Brees or Reggie Bush into your sermon? Fine. Want to insert a prayer for a good pass rush? Go for it. But don't come out for Christian worship looking like you're going to head over to the stadium after church without changing your clothes.

CORRECTION: A commenter informs me that this gentleman is an Episcopalian from Thibodaux, Louisiana rather than New Orleans.

"I'M GOING TO BLOW UP THE ARK, RENE!"

"Your persistence surprises even me."

FAIL

The Primate of England needs to seriously dial it down.

THEMES TO AVOID

Flames. Particularly when they're coming from that direction.

WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF THIS SITE AGAIN?

The designer of this cope describes its inspiration as follows:

The Bishop's cope is made up of two panels which tell the story of his spiritual journey, from his beginnings as a teenager when he discovered God - you can see him as a youngster carrying a cross. Then I've reflected him living and working in London in some quite deprived areas, where he discovered lots of different nationalities and cultures. He moved on to Bath and Wells Diocese, which I think he perceived as very "rural England", but he's since discovered a range of cultures and faiths there as well. So there's a Muslim woman in a Niqab and a Sikh man in a turban.