Bishop Daniel Thomas visited our parish today and concelebrated Mass. You could tell people were on their best behavior. They even sang. I mean, we weren’t like Baptists or anything but you could hear us sing which is pretty odd for Catholics. And hardly anyone left right after Communion. That’s good news. But one kinda’ funny thing happened on the way out.
Bishop Thomas stood outside Mass greeting everyone on their way out. You could see all the folks lining up to say hello. But it was funny because just as they approached you could see them realize that they had no idea what to call a Bishop. I watched men stop suddenly and whisper to their wives. I saw wives shrug. Father? Bishop? Eminence? Holiness? One man completely panicked, pulled his kids out of line, dropped back a few spots, and asked a Knights of Columbus member who told him “Your Excellency.”
Quickly, I watched the word go up like in a prison everyone whispering a message to each other. Bishop Thomas was gracious no matter what he was called.
But I can’t imagine what’ll happen if the Cardinal shows up. People will be crawling out the back doors and bathroom windows.
March 21, 2011 at 3:08 am
Too funny–we had the same thing happen in our parish today…after a beautiful mass and rededication of our altar!
March 21, 2011 at 3:15 am
I panicked and flubbed that as well once!
I think that technically, the bishop does not concelebrate. He is always the main celebrant if no other bishops are in attendance. He could be "in choro" which means he does not celebrate, but is in attendance. But the priest should always yield to the bishop, being of higher rank.
March 21, 2011 at 3:21 am
Imagine of someone instructed them on the custom of kissing his ring (if he is the ordinary)…
"Wait kiss his what? Left or Right knee? "
Like you said, back-doors and bathroom windows 🙂
March 21, 2011 at 8:04 am
Those stupid ignorant Catholics! They should just admit the Truth:
"Hi Padre – if that's not the right thing to call you, let's together say a prayer for your predecessor that signed off on my catechism and left me so ignorant that I still don't know I'm called to keep learning."
March 21, 2011 at 12:39 pm
technically, I think, a Bishop always presides (if he is the only Bishop present). You are correct: if he is at the Altar, he does not concelebrate. (he should also wear all his vestments, but most don't) If he is 'in choro' he still says the opening prayer, the blessing for the Gospel reading, and the final blessing. Many of them do not know this.
March 21, 2011 at 3:38 pm
A Cardinal is addressed as "YOUR EMINENCE" for these souls are eminent.
March 21, 2011 at 4:01 pm
It would be nice if we were taught protocol or even terminology. As it is there is only this vague notion that we should be doing something different, but since no one else is, even if you know what do do you wonder if it's still being done.
I once got to meet a Cardinal and think I went with "Hi",shook his hand and then bolted out of there (through the bathroom window of course).
March 21, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Perhaps it's the American in me, but I wouldn't greet someone with such a title, no matter how traditional it is. The bishops I know are called Bishop So-and-so. No matter how "elevated" their position, good to keep in mind that they are just men and may be very holy or may be great sinners.
March 21, 2011 at 8:01 pm
Yup, been there, done that.
March 21, 2011 at 11:36 pm
People don't teach their children ANY protocol or etiquette any more. How many kids under 20, let's say, know that you introduce the younger person to the older one? The man to the lady? That you call a mayor "Mr Mayor" or "Your Honor?" And so on and so on….
My parents were fanatics at teaching us those and we have found the information very handy in making us seem more gracious than we probably are.
And "thomas tucker," wouldn't you call a "Colonel" by his title? A senator? Then why not a bishop? Fair for one, fair for all….
Therese Z
March 22, 2011 at 1:24 am
My mentally challenged son was confirmed by our Bishop a few years back. My wife noticed that after he was confirmed the Pastor was almost bending over in laughter. Seems my son with his speach impediment thanked the Bishop with "Thank you Big S_ _t!" True story.
March 22, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Therese- yes, I do call them Bishop. But I wouldn't call them Your Excellency. THat belongs to ages past, and I don't think we want to return to them, regardless of how much the pendulum may have swung in the opposite direction. I am in favor of showing respect, and teaching it to our young ones, but not obseqious fawning that shores up the attitude of seeing higher clergy as demigods that do no wrong. We are well-taught these days from current evetns that bishops and cardinals can do very bad things indeed. I think we should be seeing them, and expecting them to act, as Jesus taught us in Scripture- as servants of the people. In fact, today's Gospel reading speaks of this.