The Papal visit to Loreto in March 2019 attracted media attention for clips of Pope Francis swiftly moving his hand away when people attempted to kiss his ring.
Christopher Lamb presents a context for the demise of this and other customs under recent papacies. above The extended version of the clip featured here shows the Pope using discretion as he allows some older religious women to kiss the ring but discourages most of the general visitors from the practice.
But there is a lot more than the demise of papal customs in this video. The Liturgy that the Pope presided at was celebrated "ad orientum". This is an ancient Christian tradition of facing East for the Liturgical rites.
Part of the cultural wars in Catholicism has been the creation of the "Temple Police" a sub culture of conspiracy theories and militant activism to "protect" the Church.One of the most famous example of the Temple Police in action was the determination to have the works of Aboriginal artist, Fiona Foley removed from the Cathedral of St Stephen.
Although the temple police might be excited by the Pope celebrating ad orientum they would be less than happy with the obvious number of the congregation who prayed the Our Father with the "orans" posture which means praying with the same posture as the priest. Sharp eyes will also note those who are holding hands during this prayer which is another cautionary yellow card for participants.
"Ringate" has become the issue of the day for the girls and boys over at Rotate Caeli and their militant colleagues.
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