Q: More and more, I hear priests justifying the use of the cincture by the celibacy of priest. Personally, I can’t see any connection. The Ceremonial of Bishops 36 says that “The vestment common to ministers of every rank is the alb. Tied at the waist with a cincture, unless it is made to fit without a cincture.” And the General Instruction of the Roman Missal 336 says the same thing. I don’t know if there is another liturgical document which makes the use of the cincture obligatory because of the celibacy. Kindly guide us.

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A: The cincture is optional. The rules you cite are the ones in force.

The 1962 Missal preserved prayers during vesting before Mass, and the one for putting on the cincture prays for chastity. It is no longer part of the preparation for Mass. Some priests are in a valid marriage, and they may wear the cincture if they need one to adjust the length of the alb.