Bishop of Kerry Bill Murphy has admitted that he felt "embarrassed" when he knelt down to kiss the papal ring in Rome.
Murphy said the first time he met the pope he was greeted with a handshake, and added that he was surprised that he and his fellow bishops were requested to bow down and kiss the Pope’s papal ring.
"When it came to my turn, the person before me did it and I kissed his (the Pope's) ring as well, even though I was rather embarrassed by it," said Murphy.
Murphy was part of the delegation Irish bishops that met the pope several weeks ago, to discuss the extensive level of clerical child abuse in Ireland.
Murphy criticized the custom. "Some people still try to kiss a bishop's ring but, obviously, it's out of touch with modern thinking,"
Kissing the papal ring is traditionally viewed as a sign of respect for the Pope and the Vatican.
Director of Catholic Communications Martin Long declined to comment on Murphy's comments, which he believes were made "in a personal capacity."
Murphy said the meeting with the Pope was "very serious and significant" and denied claims from victims of clerical abuse that it was a staged attempt to claim back some credibility.
However, Murphy did say that the Vatican may have had "exaggerated and unrealistic expectations" of public opinion.
The papal ring features an image of St Peter fishing from a boat. It is made of cast gold and bears the name of the Pope in Latin.
When the Pontiff dies, the "Ring of the Fisherman" is crushed using a silver hammer in front of cardinals.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.ceciliag | Mar 07, 2010, 12:44 AM EST
Well then he should have struck a blow for right and not kissed the ring. What A Statement That Would Have Made!
kickstar | Mar 06, 2010, 08:35 AM EST
Jesus washed the feet of HIS Disciples
knowthyself | Mar 06, 2010, 02:26 AM EST
AS a Roman Catholic and a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus I Myself Respect Cardinal's and the POPE , But i Kiss no rings and bow down to no Man . or Mans Created objects to me its Pagan & old outdated Mythology, I Only Bow to God not a Man!!
Betteboop | Mar 05, 2010, 06:10 PM EST
Do whatever you feel right about.
MarySmith77 | Mar 05, 2010, 12:17 PM EST
They must kiss the Pope's ring. I find this highly amusing in light of the instructions given to a young chorister and reported in the Italian press yesterday. Yet another sex scandal in the Vatican. A “Papal Gentlemen” and chairman of the Holy See's Public Works Department has been using a chorister from the choir of St. Peter's Basilica to solicit young choristers and seminarians for prostitution. A government wiretap during a corruption investigation reveals the rules of engagement: "You'll get up to 2,000 euros ... Do not touch his balls. You need the money. Put on some music, take out the [inaudible], swallow the Viagra, and adelante!" http://www.gaynewswatch.com/Page.cfm?PageID=22&SID=7864
MarySmith77 | Mar 05, 2010, 10:25 AM EST
This begs the question are you Catholics really that stupid? But then bishops have been kissing the pope's ass for 2000 years, this is a step up. Did the pope say "while you are down there, do a buddy a favor? Or does he only say that to alter boys.
MikeRock | Mar 05, 2010, 10:20 AM EST
hey portia, kiss my.....
Portia777 | Mar 05, 2010, 09:23 AM EST
"requested to bow down and kiss the Pope’s papal ring." You see, there it is in full view- the boys in dresses are forced to kneel and obey their master- called pope- but just a man like the rest of us with no special divine powers. It is all a scam as there is no god, just all a big fat lie conjured up eons ago to keep the ignorant as slaves forever. How can anyone with even one brain cell kiss a ring in 2010 as a sign of respect??