One of the most conservative bishops in the United States, Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, in the traditional sumptuous episcopal vestment, the cappa magna

One of the most conservative bishops in the United States, Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, in the traditional sumptuous episcopal vestment, the cappa magna. Most people have seen such attire on Catholic bishops and cardinals only in photographs on the internet. Given the rarity of the moment (this sort of choir dress has not been recommended for wear since 1969, and in Rome is banned outright), every appearance of priests in magnificent cloaks makes them objects of extraordinary attention and, as a consequence, of criticism, irony and mockery. Not long ago Tina Beattie, a professor at the University of Roehampton, held a contest on her Facebook page for the funniest caption, though it yielded only a motley fan of banalities, such as comparisons with drag queens, regulars at Pride marches and ladies at a ball.