Kissing the bishops ring

[Joannm]

People don’t do this for the same reason that they no longer stand when a priest enters the room (people should definitely do this, IMO): a false sense of egalitarianism, casualness, etc. I can’t genuflect (old, fat, and bad knees), but I bend and kiss my bishop’s ring, and stand when my priest enters the room. One is a successor to the Apostles and both are Alter Christi. Of course, it would be good if they all accepted it the way Archbishop Chaput is described as doing (may he soon be clothed in the scarlet).

If I had to stand every time a priest entered the room I’d never get any work done, although I’d probably get a lot of exercise.

 

[Nowhere_Man]

Correct me if I’m wrong but when you genuflect to kiss the Bishop’s ring I think you are to genuflect with the left knee down. (I know there is a correct protocol, just can’t remember).

I’ve always been told that the left is for people (clergy, kings, queens, etc.) and that the right is reserved for Christ in the Eucharist.

 

[lizaanne]

I’ve always been told that the left is for people (clergy, kings, queens, etc.) and that the right is reserved for Christ in the Eucharist.

Yep - that is my understanding as well.

~Liza

 

[Beati_Pacifici]

I bet he’s our new bishop…and everyone loves him already!!!

YES! Bishop Hartmayer! I absolutely love Bishop Hartmayer! He was so instrumental in helping me to reconcile my faith and he is one of the most compassionate, warm, and welcoming people you will ever meet. I was heartbroken when he left and I still miss him to this day. Our new Pastor is an ace guy as well, but it’s going to take me awhile to get over losing Father Gregory (no disrespect intended, he actually preferred being called Father Gregory/Greg). You guys have yourselves an amazing Bishop.

 

[Corki]

You never see anyone kiss the local bishops ring anymore only the pope. Why is this?

I have been to three Confirmations in three dioceses (2 states) in the last couple of years and kissed all three Bishops’ rings. I have also been honored to meet Cardinal DiNardo twice and kissed his ring too.

Interesting story. We were at the airport waiting for a plane and saw someone come out dressed in clerics. My daughter said it was (then) Archbishop DiNardo. He was still new to G-H then and I wasn’t sure. But within a few minutes, he was surrounded by a small group of older ladies all kissing his ring. That’s how we knew it was really him.

 

[anp1215]

I really like this page for proper etiquette when addressing clergy-it goes all the way from the Holy Father to a priest, and even includes a section on Eastern Catholic clergy. It answered all of my questions about the subject.
fisheaters.com/addressingclergy.html

 

[JReducation]

The rule of thumb is quite easy.

1. Follow the bishop’s lead. If you reach for his hand and you feel some resistance, don’t kiss. It means that he does not like it.
2. If the bishop is a religious and you know the customs of his religious community, go with those. Some bishops, from some religious communities do not offer their rings to be kissed, because the tradition of their community discourages it. This is generally the case with Franciscans and Jesuits. However, they’re not going to embarrass you either. The reason that their tradition discourages it is because their tradition places the emphasis on service and simplicity. Obviously, because they are simple men, they are not going to make a fuss over it, if you do kiss the ring.
3. Generally, if there are two or more bishops together, you kiss the ring of the senior bishop and shake the others’ hands. For example, if there is the diocesan bishop and his auxiliary, kiss the diocesan bishop’s ring and shake the auxiliary’s hand. The auxiliary is a bishop, but he’s not an Ordinary. If there is an Ordinary and a visiting cardinal, kiss the cardinal’s ring.

They’re very clever. They usually avoid standing together to avoid such confusion.

Thinks of it this way, you have the President and the Vice President in the same room. The president is addressed as Mr. President and the Vice President is addressed as Mr. Smith. He is still accorded respect, but a distinction is made in the signs of respect.

I was at several papal audiences with bishops and Bl John Paul. I noticed that as the bishops walked into the room, they shook hands around the room and the only ring that was kissed was that of the Holy Father. I asked my superior, “What is that about?” He said, “Rank.” He explained that in nations that have a king and queen, such as Spain, the bow to the king is more accentuated than the bow to the queen, if they are together. This actually made sense to me. They are all bishops, including the Holy Father. But they are not bishops of equal rank. The greeting of honor is reserved for the highest ranking bishop.

Today, these rules of protocol are usually observed in formal settings. Bishops don’t expect people to know them. For example, if you go to the Vatican for a private audience, such as a group, someone will tell you in advance what to do. Whereas a reception after a confirmation or an ordination may be setup as a very informal setting, coffee and cookie, etc.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF