AltarMan:
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!
No one genuflects on their left kneed. If it was called for in the past, it’s not called for today.
When a deacon or priest goes down on both knees before a bishop before proclaiming the Gospel, it’s not because he is acknowleding the bishop.
Catholics only genuflect (on one or both knees depending on the situation) to God – not even the Vicar of Christ receives this.
Agreed.
From the Catholic Encyclopedia:
The liturgical rules for genuflecting are now very definite.
All genuflect (bending both knees) when adoring the Blessed Sacrament unveiled, as at Expositions.
All genuflect (bending the right knee only) when doing reverence to the Blessed Sacrament, enclosed in the Tabernacle, or lying upon the corporal during the Mass. Mass-servers are not to genuflect, save when the Blessed Sacrament is at the altar where Mass is being said (cf. Wapelhorst, infra). The same honour is paid to a relic of the True Cross when exposed for public veneration.
The clergy in liturgical functions genuflect on one knee to the cross over the high altar, and likewise in passing before the bishop of the diocese when he presides at a ceremony. From these genuflexions, however, an officiating priest, as also all prelates, canons, etc., are dispensed, bowing of the head and shoulders being substituted for the genuflexion.
On Good Friday, after the ceremony of the Adoration of the Cross, and until Holy Saturday, all, clergy and laity alike, genuflect in passing before the unveiled cross upon the high altar.
