Dutch Mackay Tartan Kilt in Catholic church??

[Fedgunner]

I have never associated any tartan with any religion.

[seanachie]

Welcome from the highlands of Central Massachusetts. I am certain that your wearing a kilt will not worry anyone in the Catholic church. Please post photos of the event!

I do every Sunday and have for weddings, christenings and baptisms as well. I doubt you will encounter any issues with the kilt.

[dea3369]

I seriously doubt that your attire would offend a Catholic or anybody else attending your wedding. First, it's YOUR wedding. You and your bride choose the attire of the wedding party. Second, you're not wearing the kilt to offend. Third, you're taking pride in your lineage/heritage. You're saying, "This is who I am." (Can a man wearing a rented tuxedo to his wedding say the same?) Finally, it's YOUR wedding. It's worth repeating that fact.

[MacSpadger]

I have no knowledge on the history if the Tartan but would it offend anyone catholic?? Is it linked with anything? With regards to Orangemen? Ulster? Prodistant?

I really doubt many would recognise it, but it all depends on where you are. The tartan is made up from Dutch colours including the Royal House of Orange and of course that has significant connection to Ireland. You might hugely offend a Catholic die-hard or get a thumbs up from a hard-nosed Orangeman, but somehow I doubt it as the tartan is unlikely to be unrecognised. If you were to proclaim, "I am wearing an Orange tartan", while standing in a Catholic church then that would be innapropriate, of course.
It did make the news over here when it was released, but I don't recall much negativety. Why not play safe and go for another tartan if you are unsure? One without religious, political or historical connections?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I don't think the OP is asking whether wearing a kilt would offend Catholics, only the particular tartan.

MacSpadger, the article you linked to from 2005 is not about the Dutch MacKay tartan, which has been around since 1965. The idea for a Dutch tartan came from a men's neck tie manufacturer because of the popularity of tartan ties in the Netherlands. The Scottish Tartans Society was consulted and it was decided to base the tartan on the MacKay, because of the great connections between that clan and the Netherlands. The tartan was created by a simple color change. The orange in the tartan is evocative of William of Orange, who was notably Protestant. But the color was chosen no doubt because of the historical significance to the Dutch people, not out of any anti-Catholic motivation.

As a Catholic myself, I certainly would not be offended if you wear it. I realize that the color orange has certain politico-religious connotations in Ireland, but my feeling is that someone who chooses to take offense simply because the tartan you are wearing contains that color, would probably also be offended by citrus fruit and traffic cones. If someone should get offended and ask if you are an Orangeman, etc., just explain that the tartan is the Dutch tartan and you are wearing it because your family is part Dutch. That should be enough of an explanation for anyone.

[MacSpadger]

As a Catholic myself, I certainly would not be offended if you wear it. I realize that the color orange has certain politico-religious connotations in Ireland, but my feeling is that someone who chooses to take offense simply because the tartan you are wearing contains that color, would probably also be offended by citrus fruit and traffic cones. If someone should get offended and ask if you are an Orangeman, etc., just explain that the tartan is the Dutch tartan and you are wearing it because your family is part Dutch. That should be enough of an explanation for anyone.

Apologies for any confusion regarding the news article. It is, however, perhaps difficult to explain certain parts of culture over here, and not just in Ireland. The Dutch House of Orange is not only seen as a symbol of Protestantism, but also as a symbol of Anti-Catholicism by many. Try stepping into an Orange Lodge, as I have many, many times and telling me it isn't so. I don't want to go against forum rules, but although I can't recall any examples of anyone being offended by citrus fruit or traffic cones, I can tell you from first hand experience that there are people offended by the colour of boiler suits, (coveralls in the US?), company motor vehicles, carpets, and in the case of one man, electrical cabling. There used to be a fashion for having pet budgerigars, several of my relatives had them in the 60's and 70's and you could tell someone's religion by the colour of their budgerigar. I could give many more examples from both sides of the sectarian divide, but I think that's sad enough as it is.

I was born and raised in the Grampian area far away from any sectarianism or religious divide but on visiting my Father's immediate family in Glasgow, Motherwell and Hamilton on a regular basis I was immediately stepping out into another culture, where by not wearing colours I'd be continually asked if I was a "Proddy or a Pape". This had such a strong effect on me, that I decided to be neither more than 35 years ago, and I remain that way.

But, as I said earlier, it's extremely unlikely anyone would recognise the tartan as having any House of Orange connection. Best wishes for the wedding.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

But, as I said earlier, it's extremely unlikely anyone would recognise the tartan as having any House of Orange connection. Best wishes for the wedding.

I suppose that's my general point, as well. The OP is wearing the Dutch tartan because he is of Dutch heritage. Orange is one of three colors used in the Dutch tartan.

I suppose if one were prone to take offense at the color of electric cabling, then one may also be prone to take offense to the color of someone's tartan. But you are correct in that most people would simply see it as "a tartan" and probably not give a second thought as to why the colors were chosen. After all, the colors used in most all traditional tartans have no symbolic meaning at all!

[eaglemo]

Go for it!