Questions on how to greet eastern and western Catholic priests and visiting eastern and western Catholic churches

[new_inquirer]

What is the correct way for an Orthodox Christian to greet a Catholic priest if he/she were visiting a Catholic church, especially** eastern **Catholic churches (such as Maronite and Melkite) but also western Catholic churches? e.g. Do eastern and western Catholic priests usually carry/wear a cross? If so, should he/she kiss the priest’s cross and then his hand?

Does this apply to western Catholic churches as well as eastern Catholic churches, especially Maronite and Melkite churches?

Also, if he/she attended a Catholic mass, is there a kiss of peace that occurs at some point? If so, should he/she give the kiss of peace to people near him/her and if so, how do you do the kiss of peace in eastern (especially Maronite and Melkite) and western Catholic chuches?

 

[bpbasilphx]

I usually kiss the hands of both Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic bishops and priests, as this is the accepted custom. Many of both are not in favor of this being done outside of the church. Follow their leads.

Same for Non-Chalcedonian or Assyrian priests or bishops.

It is not customary in the USA to kiss the hand of a Latin rite priest.

I don’t know about the other Eastern Catholics.

 

[SyroMalankara]

Usually for Malankaras, Malabars, and Byzantines it is common to say something to the effect of “Glory to Jesus Christ” or something akin in the native language. (Depending on the season)

Also, in lieu of kissing with the mouth, some local customs are to ‘kiss’ by placing your head to the hand of the priest while bowing one’s head low.

 

[Aramis]

The verbal mode of greeting I’ve seen used…

In the east
For a bishop: “Father Bishop, Bless!”
For a priest: “Reverend Father, Bless!”

 

[twf]

In the Latin Church, local custom varies widely. It is uncommon to kiss priests’ hands in North America, but it’s not unheard of. I generally take their hand, give a slight bow of my head and reverently say ‘Father’. It is respectful to kiss a bishop’s ring if he offers his hand, though some will simply take his hand and bow their heads. If meeting a cardinal, I personally genuflect on my left knee and kiss his ring (traditional Latin custom for all bishops, but today not always observed). The kiss of peace is generally given at mass but the form is dictated by local custom. In most of North America that custom is to simply shake hands and say ‘Peace be with you.’ in my archdiocese (Vancouver), due to the very high percentage of Catholics from Asia (the majority in many parishes), bowing is sometimes preferred to hand shaking.