MYSORE: The historic St Philomena's Cathedral here will soon have a dress code for foreign visitors. This follows complaints that their attire has not been in keeping with the sanctity of the place. The move planned by parishioners has the blessing of the bishop of Mysore, who said St. Philomena's is no marketplace but a place of worship. The celebrated church, built in the 1930s with assistance from Mysore Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, logs some 4,000 visitors, domestic and foreigners, a day. For some time, worshippers have been insisting that that certain dress regulations should be imposed.
"It is not about imposing a dress code, but ensuring foreigners don't wear indecent clothes in church. It's also to stop other tourists being distracted during prayers," the cathedral's parish priest Fr KA William told TOI.
"We have received several complaints from residents to impose certain regulations on foreigners who enter the place dressed improperly. We thought about imposing a code. After discussing with church committee members and higher authorities of the Mysore dioceses, we'll decide how to go about it," he added.
There are not just complaints against foreigners. Church staff have noticed that domestic tourists, especially newly married couples, indulge in hugging on the church premises, Fr William explained.
"We have posted staff to ensure decency," he said. "We ask those who behave indecently to leave the holy place," said Savila Mary, who works in the church. "Similar rules are in place in European countries too and strictly followed in Vatican City," he said.
