Genuflecting for Pope

[JamesTheJust]

You are correct. I remember as a young girl this was also done for the Bishop & Cardinal.

Yes. I believe that one genuflects for one’s Bishop, kissing his ring, addressing him as “Your Excellency,” and waiting for his permission to rise, just as one would with the Pope, unless the Pope himself is present.

Here’s a great Fish Eaters page on the topic:
fisheaters.com/addressingclergy.html

 

[KrazyKat]

If you were in the Armed Forces would you Salute an Officer - if you did not you might find yourself either being kicked out, or under court martial, pride is a terrible thing as is lacking in humility. So I suppose if you were in Rome and is the custom to kiss the foot of the bronze statue of St. Peter in the Vatican you would not do that either. Sad.
Priests kiss the Word of God in the Book of the New Testament, the Altar before saying Mass - not for you either ??

If I was in the armed forces, yes I would salute. Heck, I will salute the Pope even though it is not a requirement.

No it is not pride at all. I kiss the Holy Bible in adoration and love for the Truth, the Great I Am. I will kiss a Crucifix but the foot of a statue of Peter, no. I genuflect before the Tabernacle and bow before the Altar.

Any man who says they do not sin is a liar. I do not worship or adore any human. I will shake a persons hand and treat them with respect. Pope or beggar God loves us all although we are not worthy.

I love Pope Francis and would defend him with my life.

 

[JamesTheJust]

If I was in the armed forces, yes I would salute. Heck, I will salute the Pope even though it is not a requirement.

No it is not pride at all. I kiss the Holy Bible in adoration and love for the Truth, the Great I Am. I will kiss a Crucifix but the foot of a statue of Peter, no. I genuflect before the Tabernacle and bow before the Altar.

Any man who says they do not sin is a liar. I do not worship or adore any human. I will shake a persons hand and treat them with respect. Pope or beggar God loves us all although we are not worthy.

I love Pope Francis and would defend him with my life.

If you would salute a military leader to whom you have no spiritual allegiance, and whom you are not required to obey, why would you not show the utmost respect and submission to the Vicar of Christ, to whom you have both spiritual allegiance and an obligation to obey?

It seems like you’re thinking with the Protestant “kneeling/bowing = worship” mindset here, which we as Catholics know to be false.

 

[ohsnapitslennon]

If I was in the armed forces, yes I would salute. Heck, I will salute the Pope even though it is not a requirement.

No it is not pride at all. I kiss the Holy Bible in adoration and love for the Truth, the Great I Am. I will kiss a Crucifix but the foot of a statue of Peter, no. I genuflect before the Tabernacle and bow before the Altar.

Any man who says they do not sin is a liar. I do not worship or adore any human. I will shake a persons hand and treat them with respect. Pope or beggar God loves us all although we are not worthy.

I love Pope Francis and would defend him with my life.

Even if that man was in persona Christi, representing Christ…the vicar of Christ?

 

[Butaperson]

If you would salute a military leader to whom you have no spiritual allegiance, and whom you are not required to obey, why would you not show the utmost respect and submission to the Vicar of Christ, to whom you have both spiritual allegiance and an obligation to obey?

It seems like you’re thinking with the Protestant “kneeling/bowing = worship” mindset here, which we as Catholics know to be false.

Just to reinforce your point…at my parish, I know a man who, during the sign of peace, will bow as he shakes hands. Like I said, it can be anything from a casual greeting to pure adoration. When this man bows, he’s not worshiping anyone, just giving a friendly greeting - it’s a similar gesture but for a wildly different reason. Literally all that matters is the intent behind the bow. When you bow, is it a bow out of respect, or a bow out of worship? I guess what many Protestants don’t realize is that the world is not black and white and it is not meant to be. A bow will not always mean the same thing in every circumstance. Bow to the Pope out of respect and bow to Jesus out of worship, and you will be a-ok.

 

[YoungTradCath]

There are plenty recent (ie last 10 yrs) videos in which people genuflect and/or kiss the Pope’s ring.

 

[Cat]

I always thought it was custom to genuflect on your left knee when you greet the Pope. In videos I have never seen anyone genuflect, not even bishops or priests who are meeting him for the first time. The most I notice anyone do is bow. Is it still custom to do this?

I suspect that one of the main reasons why you don’t see a lot of bishops genuflecting before the Holy Father is that they are physically unable to do so, probably due to arthritis.

trevorhall, above, says that even though his left knee is his bad knee, he would genuflect for the Holy Father even if it took an hour! That attitude is commendable, but it isn’t practical. The Holy Father can’t wait for dozens of bishops, or laypeople, to spend an hour trying to genuflect! It would not be respectful to waste an hour of his time trying to genuflect in his presence!

With my osteoarthritis, it is simply impossible to genuflect. The knee won’t do it.

Another reason you don’t see a lot of people genuflecting before the Holy Father is that none of us “see” all the people who greet the Pope. I’m guessing that there are a LOT of people who DO genuflect, but they aren’t shown on camera.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

P.S. If you met the Queen of England you would be expected to give a deep bow if you were a man and a curtsey from a woman, and most people adhere to that.

While true for British subjects, I don’t believe this holds for others. Certainly there is - or should be - no expectation that a U.S. citizen bow before the Queen, nor do I believe the English court expects that.

 

[HelenRose]

Personally I would not bow, kneel, genuflect or kiss the ring of any human being. Even Peter, as he too was only human. Certain gestures are for God alone.

I am sure that when this was done, it was done as reverence toward Christ. However, I am glad that this practice is no longer the norm. People who greet the Pope come from so many different countries and religions, it would not be comfortable for them to pay such homage to a man if they did not understand the rationale behind it, or if they did not recognize him as the Vicar of Christ.

I wouldn’t even try to genuflect (although I would want to) because, as stated above, a Swiss guard would have to come to my rescue, which would be embarrassing,

So, for those who do not accept that the Pope is the Vicar of Christ, please back off. You probably don’t have the desire nor option to meet the Pope anyway. Why make such an issue for people who do honor the Pope as the Vicar of Christ and honor him as such?

 

[babbc]

It is written when Peter kneeled down and worshipped the Angel …The angel told him “see that you do it not for I too am a servant”
No man stands in the stead of The Christ.
It is written, “The heart of man is wicked, who shall know it”
How could Christ entrust His beloved Church to a man??

The pope represents a pagan faith not a Christian faith nor a relationship with Christ.
How someone could accept, nay demand the term Holy Father which is the term Christ Jesus my Lord spoke to our Heavenly Father in the garden before His crucifixion asking if there be a way for this “cup to pass Him, yet not My will but thine”
So we have some saying that pope is standing in the stead of Christ and on the same hand giving him a title which belongs ALONE to our Heavenly Father.

 

[HelenRose]

It is written when Peter kneeled down and worshipped the Angel …The angel told him “see that you do it not for I too am a servant”
No man stands in the stead of The Christ.
It is written, “The heart of man is wicked, who shall know it”
How could Christ entrust His beloved Church to a man??

The pope represents a pagan faith not a Christian faith nor a relationship with Christ.
How someone could accept, nay demand the term Holy Father which is the term Christ Jesus my Lord spoke to our Heavenly Father in the garden before His crucifixion asking if there be a way for this “cup to pass Him, yet not My will but thine”
So we have some saying that pope is standing in the stead of Christ and on the same hand giving him a title which belongs ALONE to our Heavenly Father.

You are obviously not a Catholic.
You are entitled to your opinion.

As for me, I do not chose to insult, slander or belittle the beliefs of other people.

 

[oldburkes]

It is written when Peter kneeled down and worshipped the Angel …The angel told him “see that you do it not for I too am a servant”
No man stands in the stead of The Christ.
It is written, “The heart of man is wicked, who shall know it”
How could Christ entrust His beloved Church to a man??

The pope represents a pagan faith not a Christian faith nor a relationship with Christ.
How someone could accept, nay demand the term Holy Father which is the term Christ Jesus my Lord spoke to our Heavenly Father in the garden before His crucifixion asking if there be a way for this “cup to pass Him, yet not My will but thine”
So we have some saying that pope is standing in the stead of Christ and on the same hand giving him a title which belongs ALONE to our Heavenly Father.

More and more each day, I’m seeing my efforts to be ‘ecumenical’ and evangelize Protestants as somewhat futile. Hearing this kind of “statement”, in such a disrespectful vein, serves to strengthen my resolve to stand in solidarity with my Catholic brothers and sisters, and just pray.

 

[KrazyKat]

If you would salute a military leader to whom you have no spiritual allegiance, and whom you are not required to obey, why would you not show the utmost respect and submission to the Vicar of Christ, to whom you have both spiritual allegiance and an obligation to obey?

It seems like you’re thinking with the Protestant “kneeling/bowing = worship” mindset here, which we as Catholics know to be false.

Kneeling, genuflecting and bowing is not a sign of worship? When we do this during Mass in adoration it is not worship? Why do we do this JamesTheJust? For show. Heaven forbid. Guess it is what is in the mind and heart and soul which all belong to God alone.

It is not for me to judge others actions. I will answer to God for mine. Have a blessed day.

 

[HelenRose]

More and more each day, I’m seeing my efforts to be ‘ecumenical’ and evangelize Protestants as somewhat futile. Hearing this kind of “statement”, in such a disrespectful vein, serves to strengthen my resolve to stand in solidarity with my Catholic brothers and sisters, and just pray.

No, no, no, no. I loved my protestant upbringing. I loved the Bible, Christ and the love I found there.

But, if it wasn’t for the evangelizing of a dear friend, I would not have found the fullness and beauty of my wonderful Catholic Church.

When evil is spoken of us and our beloved Church. Be firm but charitable in your response.

Evangelizing is a fine art and requires love, patience and understanding. It is the Holy Spirit that brings fruit from our efforts.

 

[oldburkes]

No, no, no, no. I loved my protestant upbringing. I loved the Bible, Christ and the love I found there.

But, if it wasn’t for the evangelizing of a dear friend, I would not have found the fullness and beauty of my wonderful Catholic Church.

When evil is spoken of us and our beloved Church. Be firm but charitable in your response.

Thanks, HelenRose! That’s WHY I have been trying to ‘reach out’. For people like you!
Your right. Firm, but charitable. Got it.

 

[babbc]

which part do you find challenging…yes you suppose right, I’m not catholic but rather am Christian. Now is it my word sthat have given offence or your illusion being broken that it is right that the pope be called ‘Holy Father’?? I don’t know which part you are upset with??
Used to eb catholic but Rebuked the catholic church and all her false teachings and doctrine in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 17…thus the search began…
Please inform me what has insulted you?

 

[oldburkes]

which part do you find challenging…yes you suppose right, I’m not catholic but rather am Christian. Now is it my word sthat have given offence or your illusion being broken that it is right that the pope be called ‘Holy Father’?? I don’t know which part you are upset with??
Used to eb catholic but Rebuked the catholic church and all her false teachings and doctrine in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 17…thus the search began…
Please inform me what has insulted you?

First, your categoization of our Church’s practices as Pagan not Christian.

 

[Sarcelle]

which part do you find challenging…yes you suppose right, I’m not catholic but rather am Christian. Now is it my word sthat have given offence or your illusion being broken that it is right that the pope be called ‘Holy Father’?? I don’t know which part you are upset with??
Used to eb catholic but Rebuked the catholic church and all her false teachings and doctrine in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 17…thus the search began…
Please inform me what has insulted you?

Challenged?
No, not really.
You are not the first poster here that has come to say that Catholics are wrong
You haven’t said anything original.
Amused? Yes

So you, at 17, have decided that you knew more than the learned men and women of the past 2000 plus years and decided that the Catholic Church is wrong.

Oh well, I was like you when I was seventeen and an arrogant cradle atheist.

 

[oldburkes]

which part do you find challenging…yes you suppose right, I’m not catholic but rather am Christian. Now is it my word sthat have given offence or your illusion being broken that it is right that the pope be called ‘Holy Father’?? I don’t know which part you are upset with??
Used to eb catholic but Rebuked the catholic church and all her false teachings and doctrine in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 17…thus the search began…
Please inform me what has insulted you?

Then, you made reference to a “worship” of a man who is a humble servant, but a successor, with due authority passed to him by the Rock of the Church.
And , now you claim that my belief is an illusion.

 

[babbc]

it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to cut through the catholic church illusion of Christiandom. read the Bible and you will see the amount of delusions the catholic church has lay upon the people to gain control of their lives…forbidding to marry?? forbidding of meats??? calling a priest “father”??? filling their churches with pagan idols???carrying out ceremonies continually which will never take away sin??the sign of the cross?? the sacrements??? the stations of the cross??? the confessional??? having someone stand in place of Christ, when Christ specifically said He must go so he can send the great comforter, oh and the list just goes on.
Why have a person going around as if they are Christ on earth when Christ himself said He must go???