Kissing a Bishop's ring

[jbuck919]

As long ago as 1968, no less than Terrence Cardinal Cooke of New York came to my suburban parish twice, once to dedicate the new church, and a second time for the parish’s hundredth anniversary. Plus, of course, we always had an auxiliary bishop for confimation every year. Already back then, people were uncomfortable with the old custom and just shook hands. As a boy I was very conflicted because I was in those days quite traditional and wanted to do the right thing, but I also was not going to genuflect and kiss his ring if everyone else was just shaking hands.

My most recent encounter was with another cardinal, Keeler of Baltimore (I taught at a Catholic school in that archdiocese until about three years ago). Again I met him twice, but no one made any attempt to do anything but shake his hand.

Part of this is the American sense of everybody being on the same level (which to an extent I share). Part of it is a loss in that if we had the old ways we would be more reminded that we do not live in a universe of equal privilege, but that there is in fact a spritual hierarchy that ultimately leads to God (as great a burden as that puts on the ordinary men whose rings are being kissed).

In the movie Patton, the title character conquers Palermo away from the fascists and is celebrated by a welcome ceremony on the steps of the cathedral with the cardinal enthroned. Patton, who was not a Catholic, correctly genuflected on his right knee, raised the back of his right hand under the cardinal’s right hand, and kissed his ring. That is the way you are or were supposed to do it. One never genuflects on the left knee.

While I’m here, I have attended protestant weddings in which (presumably lapsed) Catholic attendees genuflect. Apparently they think that genuflecting is something you’re supposed to do before entering any pew. Made me want to gag. Where was their formation in the first place?

 

[Crumpy]

I went to an Orthodox summer picnic and I observed the people not only fawning over the priest, but kissing his hand as well.

I think it can be very natural to do that, if that is a rule of culture, but it is so foreign to our secular culture in the U.S. that I would be very awkward kissing the bishop’s ring. It’s very unhygienic.

Bacteriologically, I don’t see how it’s any different from kissing the door handle in the men’s restroom.

 

[Crumpy]

Also, I never really approved of Pope John Paul II kissing the ground (tarmac) every time he got off a plane when he was visiting some country. And not just because he had his white cassock on. Just for that reason, I always feared he’d get up looking like he fell down someplace.

 

[GoLatin]

jbuck919:

In the movie Patton, the title character conquers Palermo away from the fascists and is celebrated by a welcome ceremony on the steps of the cathedral with the cardinal enthroned. Patton, who was not a Catholic, correctly genuflected on his right knee, raised the back of his right hand under the cardinal’s right hand, and kissed his ring. That is the way you are or were supposed to do it. One never genuflects on the left knee. QUOTE]

I think that you are incorrect on that one. I have heard that the right knee is reserved for Christ(and maybe the Pope, His Vicar?)

 

[A.Pelliccio]

I had Archbishop Edwin O’brien visit us (the US military stationed in Kosovo) for Christmas. I did indeed genuflect and kiss he ring, I also genuflected on my left knee. I was taught this because as the others are saying, my right knee is ‘reserved’ for Christ.

I was the only one to do it and felt preety good about myself. I came into the room late and a Colonel introduced me to him. I greeted the higher ranking official first . . . the Archbishop. I think he was preety surprised, considering everyone one was calling him ‘sir’ (even Catholics) as opposed to ‘excellency’.

But I actually have to write him an email and ask for an Indult for the TLM for Catholic soliders.

 

[Libero]

Originally posted by Hegesippus
I am going to meet a Cardinal soon, what is the proper etiquette for him?

Cool, I have wanted to meet the Cardinal here for ages, but I doubt it will happen, in fact he even signed off his letter to me saying that he hoped one day we met (rather kind of him)

You address a Cardinal as “Your Emminence”.

I have only met our bishop once, and I didn’t kiss his ring, it would have been inappropriate, it was in the middle of our confirmation service, and no one else was. Despite that, he would also have been highly embaressed I think, he is very humble and always calls himself “Brian” never “Bishop…” in letters etc.

 

[jbuck919]

Crumpy:

Also, I never really approved of Pope John Paul II kissing the ground (tarmac) every time he got off a plane when he was visiting some country. And not just because he had his white cassock on. Just for that reason, I always feared he’d get up looking like he fell down someplace.

JP II did not invent that custom. I can remember Paul VI doing the same thing, and I suspect but do not know that he also did not invent it.

 

[AJV]

Crumpy:

I went to an Orthodox summer picnic and I observed the people not only fawning over the priest, but kissing his hand as well.

I think it can be very natural to do that, if that is a rule of culture, but it is so foreign to our secular culture in the U.S. that I would be very awkward kissing the bishop’s ring. It’s very unhygienic.

Bacteriologically, I don’t see how it’s any different from kissing the door handle in the men’s restroom.

Frankly I dont understand why people make such a big deal deal out of it. I kiss my priest’s hand. Its a sign of respect.

 

[Brain]

Crumpy:

Also, I never really approved of Pope John Paul II kissing the ground (tarmac) every time he got off a plane when he was visiting some country. And not just because he had his white cassock on. Just for that reason, I always feared he’d get up looking like he fell down someplace.

I always thought: wow his pilot must feel really insulted…

 

[jbuck919]

Libero:

Cool, I have wanted to meet the Cardinal here for ages, but I doubt it will happen, in fact he even signed off his letter to me saying that he hoped one day we met (rather kind of him)

You address a Cardinal as “Your Emminence”.

I have only met our bishop once, and I didn’t kiss his ring, it would have been inappropriate, it was in the middle of our confirmation service, and no one else was. Despite that, he would also have been highly embaressed I think, he is very humble and always calls himself “Brian” never “Bishop…” in letters etc.

You can address a cardinal as “your eminence,” but if you are American you may find it uncomfortable. “Cardinal So-and-So’” is perfectly acceptable in every sense. In fact, that is now what they are used to in the US. However, I would not as Hans Kueng did address the pope as Pope John Paul, or just Pope. Holy Father will still do nicely there, if you ever have the opportunity.

 

[Khoria_Anna]

AJV:

Frankly I dont understand why people make such a big deal deal out of it. I kiss my priest’s hand. Its a sign of respect.

It’s not a big deal – the priest’s hands that consecrate the holy gifts and give me Jesus Himself: body blood soul and divinity ought to receive veneration. . . the hand that give the blessing as they offer me absolution deserve veneration. When I shake hands after liturgy, I turn the priest’s hand slightly and bend to give a quick “peck”. Eastern priests tend to receive it well and understand. Western tend to give various reactions, usually requiring me to explain. . .

The hands that set apart ordinary men to become our deacons and priests and confer the authority to celebrate and absolve are even more deserving of that veneration.

My bishop (eastern tradition) gives a warm embrace with a kiss on each cheek, I then take his right hand in and kiss it.

I generally kiss the local bishop’s (western) right hand, when he offers a handshake.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Khoria Anna:

It’s not a big deal – the priest’s hands that consecrate the holy gifts and give me Jesus Himself: body blood soul and divinity ought to receive veneration. . . the hand that give the blessing as they offer me absolution deserve veneration. When I shake hands after liturgy, I turn the priest’s hand slightly and bend to give a quick “peck”. Eastern priests tend to receive it well and understand. Western tend to give various reactions, usually requiring me to explain. . .

The hands that set apart ordinary men to become our deacons and priests and confer the authority to celebrate and absolve are even more deserving of that veneration.

My bishop (eastern tradition) gives a warm embrace with a kiss on each cheek, I then take his right hand in and kiss it.

I generally kiss the local bishop’s (western) right hand, when he offers a handshake.

Your signature indicates that you are a priest’s wife, and probably associated with the Melkites since that’s an Arabic term. Is that the case?

Deacon Ed

 

[A.Pelliccio]

If we are going to use the germ argument then why are we all sharing the blood of Christ? ( I am not saying we shouldnt I am just trying to point out the absurdity of the statement that kissing a bishops ring is like kissing the bathroom handle)

 

[Irish_Melkite]

ChemicalBean:

Nope, but I’ve exchanged cheek-to-cheek kisses with a bishop!

AltarMan:

That’s inappropriate.

While I won’t presume to speak for my Latin brethren, it certainly is not inappropriate in the Eastern or Oriental Churches, Catholic or Orthodox.

Over the past 3+ decades, I have had the honor to exchange kisses on both cheeks (or, as is often the case, both plus one again) with 2 Patriarchs on many occasions, as well as with countless hierarchs, priests, and deacons - to say nothing of my fellow parishioners.

Many years,

Neil

 

[Deacon_Ed]

As Neil has said, kissing a bishop on both cheeks is quite appropriate. The normal protocol for an Eastern Catholic is to cup one’s hands together and ask the bishop for a blessing, then to kiss his hand and, finally, to kiss on both cheeks (or, in some cases, both cheeks and the first cheek again!).

This is quite common in the Middle East and most seemly.

Deacon Ed

 

[jbuck919]

mikew262:

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.

I think that the question might have been what to do when greeting a bishop or cardinal outside the liturgical context, e.g., in the parish hall after Mass. The Catholic Encyclopedia article (1914 version) does not address this at all. I know the custom was once to genuflect and kiss the ring and I suppose in some places some people still do that, but on what knee? Can’t find any written rule one way or the other.

 

[aj830]

I heard that Hispanics kiss the hand of any priest. Is this true?

 

[mosher]

aj830:

I heard that Hispanics kiss the hand of any priest. Is this true?

It is an old tradition that is not practiced often anymore - I on occasion will do this particularly if they are giving me a blessing. We kiss the palms of both hands in this practice.

 

[Anima_Christi]

I just kissed my bishop’s ring the other day. I simply clasped his right hand with mine, knelt down on one knee, and kissed his ring.
I have kissed the bishop’s ring once before but this was the first time I knelt.