May I suggest the Apologetic Section for a better understanding why Catholics do what they do. It would make sense they would know better than Non-Catholic wouldnt you say?
Let me state the obvious, whether a Catholic kisses the Popes ring or not does not in any way mean he worships his ring or the Pope. We worship only ONE. He is risen.Cluny you can say it’s respecting the office but the fact remains this practice did not start until the pope was given the title Pontifex Maximus. If we look in scripture Peter who supposedly was the first pope never let anyone bow down to him.
Yes. Consider it similar to using toilet paper, refraining from belching loudly after dinner, and shaking hands when you meet someone.
If it wasn’t significant theologically then why didn’t Peter just say thank you for the respect??
Kissing somebody on the cheek or forehead is a sign of affection, for example between family members. In some formal settings, gentlemen are expected to kiss the hand of a lady when introduced. Kissing a ring on the hand of a bishop or royal is a sign of respect or devotion. There is a longstanding Roman Catholic tradition of kissing the Pope’s ring in this way.
If Peter, Linus, Anacletus, Clement, etc. etc. had lived from the 21st century, maybe they would have done just that - or been satisfied with a handshake. We can only speculate.
No. He didn’t. He told him to get up. Even the Angels won’t accept someone bowing to them.
Maybe he did.
Robert I’m not imposing 21st century thought into this. I’m speaking strictly from a theological perspective. I understand fully what the practices and customs may have been at that time. But the fact remains these types of practices didn’t creep into the church until the Pope was officially given the same title the emperor of Rome used. In that regard it makes sense that folks may have done it.
Then you’d have no trouble showing respect to his vicar.
If Christ told us HE was sending a Vicar then you are absolutely right. But the only thing Christ told us HE was sending was a Helper which we know as the Holy Spirit. Sorry but the pope is not the vicar of Christ.Then you’d have no trouble showing respect to his vicar.
(I don’t know why Angels crept into the argument. They have no authority. They are messengers and heralds. We are higher than they.)
So again how do you arrive at the current pope being the vicar of Christ
This statement made by Christ is part of the great commission which is given to all Apostles and is the responsibility of all Christians. But let’s break down the verse to see if we can get to a vicar of some sort. Jesus says just as the Father has “sent” me, the Greek there being apostello meaning to order one to go to a place appointed. Then Jesus says I am sending you, the Greek there being pempo which is a verb meaning literally to send someone or to bid something to be carried. So all we see is Jesus sending out the Apostles to pronounce forgiveness. Using this verse and your logic then anyone who succeeds the apostles would be a vicar of Christ.So here Jesus is addressing the 72 HE sent out. Are you saying all 72 of these people are vicars as well??
Hmm let’s exegetically interpret this statement to be really clear what Christ was talking about. I’ll use another post I gave to someone here so I don’t have to re-type it.
That’s why Peter told him to get up, because the man was worshipping him. We do not worship the Pope. In America it’s the handshake, in the Near East it’s a kiss on each cheek, in Japan and many others it’s the bow.