Italian priest calls for ‘decency tax’ on low-cut wedding dresses

BRIDES showing too much décolletage should be made to pay more for their wedding ceremonies, an Italian priest has proposed.

Fr Cristiano Bobbo says he has noticed necklines getting lower and lower in recent years.

He believes that brides who display too much flesh at the altar should be subjected to a “decency tax”.

“We could establish a sort of offering to be levied in proportion to the decency of the dress of the bride, who often present themselves looking coarse and vulgar, so the least dressed pay the most,” said the priest, from Oriago, near Venice.

Writing to parishioners, he said an increasing number of brides wore gowns that were “inappropriate for the circumstances” of a church wedding.

Religious ceremonies had turned into glamorous social events, rather A teenage US tourist who threw herself into Venice’s Grand Canal from a vaporetto waterbus to evade ticket inspectors was hit with €527.50 (£475) of fines.

The 18-yearold panicked when inspectors began checking passengers because she had no ticket.

She leapt overboard, only for the boat’s crew to alert police, who fished her out of the water, then fined her €450 for the offence of jumping into a canal. She was also stung for a further €77.50 for not buying a ticket.

than solemn he added.

Brides should enter into holy matrimony

spiritual

occasions, wearing outfits that are simple and in “good taste”, he said.

Fr Bobbo said it was a condition that he would like to impose if he were given the chance.

The proposal prompted a debate on social media, with many Italians accusing the priest of being prudish and out of touch.

“It feels like we’re going back to the Forties, when there were loads of taboos in place,” said one Italian on Twitter. “Does a low neckline really still cause a stir?”

Another wrote: “So should we fine the Church on the basis of how many victims were sexually abused by clergy?”

But others were more supportive. “Finally, a bit of common sense. If people want to turn up in church semi-naked, why are they getting married in church?” wrote Nicoletta, in the comments section of an Italian news website.