St. Peter’s: Employees Must Not Have Tattoos or Piercings

Source: FSSPX News

Will there be a screening in the selection process for people employed by the Fabric of St. Peter? This is what is suggested by the new rules recently published by the Holy See for all those who work within the most distinguished Basilica in Latin Catholicism.

The Sampietrini will probably not complain: the new norms issued by Pope Francis on June 29, 2024, for paid employees of the Vatican Basilica are more in line with the famous guards who forbid, when necessary, entry to St. Peter’s to visitors whose behavior or clothing does not correspond to the sanctity of the place.

All employees of the Basilica must in the future “take care of their outward appearance in accordance with the demands and customs of the work environment.”

Thus, starting in summer 2024, “visible tattoos on the skin and piercings are prohibited,” and everyone must “wear decent clothing appropriate to the activity they are going to perform.” A certain carelessness had tended to be displayed for a few years, especially among the people charged with the maintenance and various works required by the ancient building.

But that is not all. To be able to be employed by the Fabric of Saint Peter, one must “’profess the Catholic Faith and live according to its principles’ as well as demonstrate that they are married in the Church by presenting a ‘canonical marriage certificate.’ They must also provide baptism and confirmation certificates and demonstrate that they have no criminal record,” as CNA reports.

Moreover, “Staff are required to behave politely while on duty, [be] respectful of the sacred place.”

Finally, there is no longer any question of letting certain employees spread worldly gossip on social media: “Without prior authorization from the archpriest in charge of the basilica, ‘no one may issue statements and interviews, not even through digital instruments and platforms,’” concerning the life of the Vatican Basilica.

CNA continues: “Furthermore, Article 10 establishes that the staff is obliged to strictly observe confidentiality and will not be able to ‘provide to anyone who does not have the right to it information about events or news that they have learned due to their work or service.’”

During the Angelus pronounced on the day of the feast of Pentecost, on May 19, the Pontiff had said that the “Word of God silences our superficial chatter.” Francis had declared that “reading and meditating on the Gospel, praying in silence, saying good words: they are not difficult things, no, we can all do them. They are easier than insulting, getting angry…”