A photographer hired to cover a wedding photoshoot at a Catholic church was recently denied entry due to his hairstyle, an incident that has since sparked widespread debate on social media.
The incident, captured on video and shared on Instagram, shows the young photographer filming from outside the church premises.
GospelRaw learnt that in the clip, he explained that he had been barred from entering by the priest before the service began.
As a result, he was forced to wait outside until the ceremony ended before he could perform his professional duties.
The video quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions online. Some social media users sympathized with the photographer, referencing biblical and historical depictions of Jesus and several prophets who wore long hair.
Others, however, defended the priest’s decision, stressing the importance of respecting the rules and standards of religious institutions. From this perspective, they argued, adherence to a church’s traditions—including dress and personal appearance—demonstrates reverence for sacred spaces.
The Catholic Church, like many religious organizations, maintains specific codes of conduct regarding attire and presentation, rooted in centuries of tradition and the sanctity of worship environments.
In this case, the priest’s refusal was reportedly based on the photographer’s hairstyle, which did not conform to the church’s standards for visitors.
