Respect for Clergy

[Miserissima]

It can be almost to the point of seeming like going overboard and worshiping them. Whereas the post-Vatican II church I grew up in tried to emphasize that the clergy are friendly and down to earth and one of us. Perhaps this is more of a French Canadian issue, since in some senses Quebec was still ‘stuck’ in a pre-french-revolution culture until the 1960’s.

Don’t forget about the Irish who settled along the seaway and in especially in/near Frampton. (That’s where my mother’s side got to be Irish-French-Canadian.) They really did keep The Faith going, IMHO.

In many traditional parishes, and sometimes on EWTN it can be seen as well, in their Masses, some individuals bow as the priest passes. - Lux_et_Veritas

Although I think I grew up a little past your era, I also remember genuflecting as the priest processed out after Mass. We were taught that we not only were to remain genuflecting to the crucifix which led the procession, the Book of the Gospels, and then the Priest. I rarely see that nowadays, and still do it out of habit. Cant help that conditioning, I suppose.

I think it’s important to distinguish between the office of the priest and the priest as human being. - Cajetan

It’s often hard to separate the sinner from the sin, especially when the particular sinner is one who should know better. - Latinmasslover

Most excellent replies, though the second quote wasn’t directed at priests per se. But that begs the question: when do we see Father as a person (in shorts and t-shirt a tthe yearly church festival?) and when do we see him in persona Christi? Or is this another question that isn’t either/or, but always both?

But I never, ever understood a couple of things, which I do see from the elderly (very rarely). Please help me to understand:
kissing the ring or hem of the garment of a priest or monsegnior, or even a bishop. Perhaps I have to look at it in military terms: If I did that, I would not be venerating the person, but like saluting an officer, analogous to military rank. But it still seems a strange and foreign custom to me. My mother (born in the 40s) remembers doing it.
Unless it’s kissing the ring of a bishop, does anyone see this custom this anymore?

Did you ever do it? How did it make you feel? Did anyone ever try this and the cleric refused to let you?