Catholic MP with ashes on her forehead causes stir in the Commons

[rug]

Carol Monaghan said that most people did not know what the symbol meant



MP Carol Monaghan on Ash Wednesday

by Staff Reporter
posted Friday, 3 Mar 2017

Catholic MP Carol Monaghan has said that having ashes on her forehead at a Commons select committee meeting turned into a teaching moment when a number of colleagues did not know what the symbol meant.

The MP for Glasgow North West told the BBC that she was not embarrassed to appear on television displaying the mark.

“When I came into committee, one of the members asked me about it. I said ‘it’s Ash Wednesday’ and they said ‘but this is going to be broadcast’.

“I think they just thought I didn’t want to be embarrassed – but I was not going to rub it off,” Monaghan said.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2017/03/03/catholic-mp-with-ashes-on-her-forehead-causes-stir-in-the-commons/

[nycbos]

1. Teaching moments are good

[rug]

2. Sometimes just living your life is a teaching moment.

[nycbos]

3. Indeed

[No Vested Interest]

4. I saw at least one US man on political TV on Ash Wednesday with ashes;

can't remember if it was an elected official or a political commentator.
His ashes were smudged, though.
I like the clear cross of ashes on Ms. Monaghan's forehead.
I believe most colleagues in the US would know the meaning, though, except maybe in areas where there are virtually no Catholics and little exposure to the outside world.

Just wondering - do Orthodox Christians and/or High Episcopalians/Anglicans use this means to mark Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent?

[rug]

5. Biden routinely received ashes.

Some Episcopal churches offer them to anyone who passes by.

http://bangordailynews.com/2017/03/01/religion/episcopal-priests-take-to-the-streets-with-ashes-to-go/

AFAIK only the Eastern churches in comminion with Rome distribute ashes but the Orthodox Churches observe Clean Monday.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Monday

[No Vested Interest]

6. Of course Joe would publicly wear ashes on Ash Wednesday.

No one could ever accuse Joe Biden of embarrassment re displaying his faith as appropriate.
(I say this in complete agreement with the way he handled himself re his Catholic faith in his public life.)

[rug]

7. Yes. He was just matter of fact about it. It was good to see.

[okasha]

8. All Anglican/Episcopal Churches

practice the marking of the forehead on Ash Wednesday. Not sure about Lutherans, but I think they might also.

[No Vested Interest]

9. Thank you, Okasha. I should have known that.

Likely the woman's colleagues were more surprised by her willingness to go on a broadcast with that religious symbol than lacking knowledge of the meaning of the ashes.