Fr. Z responds to this on his blog.  He says:

“Friends, don’t read too much into this video.  The Pope is NOT being snubbed.  He may be introducing people to the German President.  Some shake the Pope’s hand, others don’t.  It isn’t a snub.

The men who don’t shake the Pope’s hand are close collaborators and his friends.  For example, you see Card. Brandmüller, a good friend of the Pope.  There is Bp. Josef Clemens, the Pope’s former personal secretary and now Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Laity.  There is Msgr. Guido Marini and the rest of the papal MCs.  On the other hand, Card. Kasper did move to shake the Pope’s robotically outstretched hand.  So does the Archbp. Woelki of Berlin, who doesn’t see the Pope all the time and who hasn’t been a close collaborator.

Poor Pope Benedict.  Imagine how much of this he must endure.  His collaborators spare his sore hand.  Also, many people think that a handshake is NOT the best way to honor the Vicar of Christ.

So, do not read anything into this video.”

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/09/things-are-not-always-what-they-seem-at-first-glance/

Nothing to worry about. Even if I hadn’t read Fr. Z’s post (which I did), if I’d watched it with a sharp eye beforehand I’d know there was nothing wrong here. If Msgr. Marini doesn’t shake his hand, then anyone else in the line was fine to do the same. It’s out of the question that Monsignor Guido Marini would “diss the Pope”, after all.

Totally disagree! This is a clear snub. The fact that Georg Ganswein shakes his hand at the end is even more shocking! The pope clearly has his hand extended but the Bishops aren’t interested. When greeting the pope protocol states that if he offers his hand, you do so as well!

NO NO NO!!!
He is introducing his “team” to the president with a hand gesture. Some of the clerics may have thought he was approaching them for a handshake so they responded in kind. The people who supposedly “dissed” him are in fact very close to the pope.

For further evidence, notice the archbishop of Berlin (tall, younger, with dark glasses) isn’t quite sure if he should shake his hand, so he fluctuates…in the end he does and the pope pats it with a paternal gesture.

Lord knows that the pope has some difficulties in Germany…but this is certainly NOT one of them!

Sorry RR, but it looks like you’re misinterpreting this, and reading a lot more into it than is there. You’re going to give yourself high blood pressure or something doing that. Lord knows we Catholics have enough things to worry about without inventing more.

At first I as very upset seeing this- it looked like a clear snub of our Pope, but after viewing again, I believe the Pope was introducing the bishops to the Germany President. I think some of the bishops knew that, the bowed their heads to the pope, while others took his outreached hand.  I certainly HOPE it wasn’t a snub.  I’d rather give them the benefit of the doubt here.

CLEARLY NOT!
Our Holy Father was just extending his hand to introduce his collaborators to the German President just as anybody in that position would do saying: “here’s my friend” with an extended hand. The center of the event was to introduce the gang to the President, not for our Holy Father to greet his collaborators.
Close call though.

Sorry folks,I’ve seen the same reception lines where republicans,conveniently were unaware that President Obama,was right besides them. This also goes for the snubs by democrats against Busch. Unfortunately,this is not politics but religion. If one can’t see the coldness expressed in their faces and lack of eye contact,then I suppose I’m in the minority. I hope I am wrong! But if I’m not,I hope the Vatican, will address the issue with them and shame them like they did to Pope Benedict.

I would not want to read too much into that.  I have noticed that the Holy Father is getting increasingly tired what with all the duties he is encumbered with.

The Holy Father is introducing his people to the President.  Watch it again.  And listen to Father Z.

Father Z. to the rescue!  Thank God for informed people in our church, as I would have assumed that the pope was being snubbed as well.

Viva Benedict XVI!

No,to your question!! Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen. ~There Be Dragons~ with some ~Journalistic Liberty !!

Joseph Joyce writes,

If one can’t see the coldness expressed in their faces and lack of eye contact,then I suppose I’m in the minority.

Dude, they’re Germans; cold faces and lack of eye contact are par for the course. Seriously—my (Italian) family used to call me “Tedesco” (the Italian word for “German”) because I was so quiet & reserved.

I am relieved to read the many comments here,especially that of Father Z. After re-watching this several times it would appear that the Pope is simply introducing his “staff” to the President of Germany…it is obvious that he is tired and moves abit behind the faster-moving and much younger President giving perhaps the erroneous impression of being snubbed. God forgive us our suspicious natures….allowing us to read maliciousness where there is none.

They aren’t dissing the Pope.  See, these are the guys who work in the Vatican under the Pope; he isn’t greeting them because they came along with him.

It’s like if President Obama went on a trip oversears with Secretary Clinton.  They don’t greet each other in receiving lines because they came together and work for each other.

Look at who is in the receiving line—I saw Cardinal Kasper (who works in the Vatican and came along) and I saw Monsignor Ganswein (who’s the Pope’s secretary and is always at his side).

Wow, until I read the comments, I sure thought he was being snubbed I’m glad you have been able to clear that up!

Wow, I too am glad this was cleared up by Fr. Z.  It was breaking my heart and almost brought me to tears.  That sweet adorable brilliant old man, who once he’s gone, Lord protect us!  I love him so much.

If you watch the video after reading these comments, it becomes clear that he is extending his hand to introduce, NOT to shake.  He extends it in a shake-ready manner, however, so the bishops are confused as to whether they should shake or not.  No snub here.

Are you serious??!! Of course some bishops refused the common courtesy of shaking the Pope’s hand! That’s quite obvious! And I wonder why? Have their feelings been hurt? Too bad! Are they being called to greater accountability?? Long over-due! After all, the bishops are responsible for the sex-mess-scandal the Church is facing in so many countries. They closed their eyes and ignored the problem or else simply transferred the accused to another assignment. Big deal! That didn’t solve the problem! They know it and so do we! Far too many bishops have gotten-off scott-free! What a shame! They’re example to both clergy and laity has been sorely lacking for far too many years! But what can we expect from our episcopal-politicians???

Always Happy…I’d hate to see you when your not happy!

To me the Holy Father was clearly “snubbed”.  Just look at their faces and how they backed away….some looked at his proffered hand and clasped theirs together and stepped back even twisting away!  Shockingly RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL at best!  Bishops in the U.S. have become quite liberal in their views and it looks like this is a worldwide phenomenon.  The Vicar of Christ is too conservative for them.

My what I saw was skewed by my interpretation. When I watched believing the Holy Father was snubbed, that is exactly what I saw. When I watched again believing he was introducing his colleagues, that is exactly what I saw. Interesting, no? I’ll go with Father Z’s interpretation :)

I agree, once you know it is an introduction it is very friendly.  The moment he is introduced to the last person they turn and walk off together.  So glad it was explained!

I think we need to look at Holy Father in the eyes and his reaction.  He seems confused and in wonder when they do not shake his hand and at the end seems confused as to where to go next… I pray that it wasn’t a snub, but it seems that it was…

I don’t know… Fr. Z must be right (he would know who those characters are and of course his reasoning is sound) but it really does like look the poor man is getting dissed by his brother bishops. The Holy Father is not introducing the bishops to anyone. He is too far behind the German president to actually be speaking to him, especially once you take background noise into consideration. More to the point, the president is clearly introducing himself to the bishops. I don’t think the Holy Father is speaking to the woman on his left, either. I don’t see him speaking at all, actually. But - like RosalindaL said - he really does look confused and maybe even a little hurt.

Maybe my view of the matter is un-biased by the fact that I don’t know who Fr. Z. is (no I don’t live in a drainpipe) so his reassurances don’t reassure me.  His Holiness is clearly extending his hand, as evidenced by the fact that some of them took it and shook it!  The bishops are clearly in a reception line of sorts.  And many of those who did not shake his hand actually turned their bodies sideways and refused eye contact.  This was a snub.  Why, I’m sure we’ll never know.  There’s a lot we don’t know.

Father Z is a Catholic priest, who has a well-known blog read by many who also read the Register.

Got it.  But if there’s one thing I greatly dislike—having grown up in an alcoholic family—is having people deny what my Eyeballs are telling me—however well-known the person may be.

Sorry, Fr Z, whoever you are but it looks clearly a snub and the pope looks a little confused and unsure. The president is introducing himself well ahead of His Holiness and some bishops and cardinals are turning away, folding their hands, etc. As there is rebellion in the ranks of Germany and Austria, I fear these Princes of the Church are arrogantly snubbing the Vicar of Christ. I really hope not. If they are, may the Lord bring their haughty pride down to the dust. As many as 300 bishops in Austria, I have read, are agitating for an end to the requirement of celibacy, among a number of changes they want. That seems like a large number—how many bishops are there in Austria? In Germany? In any case, God bless and keep our beloved papa and our dear Church.

Ok, look everyone. It’s very, very simple. Please read my entire post slowly.

Look at as many pictures as you want of papal Masses. Nearly every single time you’ll see Monsignor Guido Marini at his side. Almost. Every. Single. Time.

You can’t miss him. He’s a rather small, slender man. Short greyish-brown hair, receding slightly. He usually wears round glasses, and is very bookish looking. Even a bit nerdy, if you wanted to call him that. Pleasant looking, friendly fellow. Counting from the first cardinal in the line, I believe he’s twelfth. Once you’ve seen him you’ll never miss him again now that you know to look for him. (Seriously, run a Google search of papal Masses. If there are other people in the frame, there’s about a 90% chance he’s there.)

Anyway, he is the Holy Father’s MC. He goes with him everywhere. Always at his side. I bet they collaborate nearly every single day, and if he’s the new papal MC they must be very much on the same wavelength with regards to liturgy, and you wouldn’t work with someone that closely if you weren’t also on very friendly terms.

Now, WATCH CAREFULLY. Msgr. Marini does not shake the Holy Father’s hand. Why? Because it was not expected. If ANYONE knows the proper protocol, it’s Msgr. Marini. I bet you that in that line there isn’t a single person closer to the Pope than he is. In all honesty, it was probably those who did shake the Holy Father’s hand who committed a faux-pas. A slight one, of course. It did look like he was extending for a handshake, but he was not.

Monsignor Guido Marini would never, in a million billion trillion years, “diss the Pope”. Never. It’s simply not a possibility. Put your minds at rest. Nothing wrong happened here.

What happened to kissing the Pope’s ring?

To me it was. And for those of you who think that the bishops didn’t because knew the Bishop very well and up close…I still think just for the sake of the “mutual admiration society” they should’ve. I would even if the pope was a blood relative, for Pete’s sake. And not just shake hands…maybe a quick smooth on the cheek (at least in private).

Did I mention my mother was a bishop? Really! (that was her maiden name-supposedly Sarah Bishop who was hanged as an alleged witch is a direct ancestor).

So, Pope Ben. is not being snubbed, especially those who are part of his staff…if they weren’t so dignified I would’ve expect high-fives but of course they wouldn’t do that…at least in public.

I have an aunt that’s German and she is as emotional as anyone so that cold-stone face theory just doesn’t fly with me.

They were “snubbing.” Look at the lack of eye contact and withdrawal postures/some even turning their heads in order to avoid contact. Wake up, people. It is clear as crystal.

What are so many of you talking about????

The pope extends his hand, the snubbers take a look at him, ignore the proffered hand, and turn away.

Don’t read any less in it than it is. The pope is being assailed from every side. Don’t you remember that he asked us to pray for him that he ‘doesn’t run from the wolves’?

Who do you think he was talking about anyway?????

I’m very sorry, but anyone here still clinging to the idea that the pope was “being snubbed” is simply ignorant. Please read my previous two posts, especially the latter one.

See monsignor Marini here? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Mons._Guido_Marini_-_2008-05-18_-_Visita_di_Papa_Benedetto_XVI_a_Genova.jpg/200px-Mons._Guido_Marini_-_2008-05-18_-_Visita_di_Papa_Benedetto_XVI_a_Genova.jpg
He was the twelth guy in line, starting from the first Cardinal.

He is one of the closest collaborators of the Pope.

Here’s a Google image search of “Papal Mass”.
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=papal mass&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1036&bih=684
Note how many pictures Monsignor Marini is in.

There is quite possibly nobody in the entire world as close to the Holy Father right now as Monsignor Marini.
He did not shake the pope’s hand. He’s the PAPAL MC. He knows better than anyone what the protocol is. The hand shake WAS NOT EXPECTED.

Open your eyes. This is appalling.

I believe the Vatican’s recording of the whole event helps clarify what is going on: introductions. www.player.rv.va/vaticanplayer.asp?language=it&tic=VA_7B2RY5PY
When one is introducing ‘your people’ to a dignitary (in this case a president), one does not shake one’s own people hands, the introduced does. However the Pope is being very Christlike in responding to his bishops in the manner which he did.

@ Paula. Very reasonable.

These bishops are very sick and also very ignorant how dare they insult anybody.I hope the Holy Father calls them to arms how can these so called bishops do such a thing shame on them the best thing they could do is resign if the do not accept the office of this special pope ,shame on you bishops’
  I would not like to be in there company if they can ignore the pope they have showed themselves up for what they truly are IGNORANT MEN.

Welldone   Holy Father long may you remain in office ,God help us if one of these TWITS become the POPE.

Stop telling me what I’m seeing. You’re either blind or an idiot if you don’t see the insolence going on here. “I will not server!” these bishops are shouting with their actions.

So we can pray for these miserable Bishops and let God alone solve this situation. But please, spare me the “oh no they weren’t dissing the Pope” nonsense.

Peterman, did you watch the Vatican’s video, the link I provided? Because if you are correct in your perception, then all of the President’s men were “dissing” the President when he was introducing the Pope to his own people.
Every. single. one. of the president’s men were being “insolent” towards their president. It would appear that Germany is on the very brink of revolution against their president. That is, *if* you were correct.

I am really getting tired of this. For those who believe that our Holy Father is being treated poorly here, I have a question:
Do you believe our Pope is so weak that he would stand for such treatment without using his authority?! This is the former Cardinal Ratzinger, the “German Bulldog”! Do you honestly believe that if he held his hand out to be greeted by his prelates and they ignored him he would not stand there and admonish them on the spot?! How weak do you think he is? For Pete’s sake HAVE MORE RESPECT for your pope! Shame on you if you insist on seeing him so weak after this has been pointed out to you as to think he is being snubbed here without his standing up for himself. You are being used as a tool by someone (Satan) who would like you to see our Holy Father as being weak, when he is not. I suggest you read some of his writings and then maybe you will have a more respect for his ability to uphold the authority he has.

What are you babbling about PaulaHC? Closeth thy piehole thou ignorant wench.

Hi Paula point taken,Now I see your comment from a different point of view.Thanks for your advice in seeing the Holy Father as a great Pope.

Again Thanks Paula.

Terry

JimmyJohn, since you asked, I am not babbling. Think about it. In watching this abbreviated *clip* of a video with the presumption that the Pope is being shunned and looking at what is going on with that concept in mind, one must be shocked at the very willful disrespect. Then comes another shocking thought: if our Pope is indeed being so shunned and disrespected, that he would react in such a way as seems to be exhibited in this *clip* towards such treatment…like a doddering old man who acts hurt and offended and confused in the face of bullying. This would show the Pope as being weak, *if* indeed what is going on is shunning.
I assure you JimmyJohn, the Holy Father is not doddering and he is not weak. He is of very strong mind and though his body maybe tired when he travels, he would not tolerate such a public exhibition of disrespect. If a greeting was proper protocol in this situation, he would have stood in front of his prelate until the proper protocol was presented, he would not have quickly passed over with confusion and hurt as would *appear* to be the case here *if* what was going on was shunning. But that is *not* what is going on. What is going on is introductions and the Pope being Christlike towards those that are committing a (granted very slight and understandable) faux pas of taking the Pope’s hand in greeting when he is busy introducing a dignitary to someone else.
Watch the whole video from the Vatican (link previously)
Anyone who believes this is disrespect shown to the Holy Father simply does not know who these people are. As Ireneaus pointed out, that is Msgr Guido Marini for Pete’s sake!

You are welcome Terry, and thank you for grasping my point. I apologize tho for my harsh presentation, I lost my ‘cyber temper’. Our Pope is very strong and satan would love for us to start to perceive him as weak and will try to creep that concept into our subconsciousness which is what I believe could happen here, and is in some cases going by some comments I’ve read.
I think that is what I personally found most disturbing when I first saw this *clip* with the concept put in my mind that Pope Benedict XVI was being disrespected, not that he was being so disrespected (for as we all can see, that seems to be an easy concept to believe) but that he was so vulnerable. And that did not sit right with me, even tho I did not grasp this on a conscious level until quite a bit later. I’ve seen many comments that state “Oh our poor Pope”. Excuse me? Not Pope Benedict! He is in full authority and is not one that needs our pity over being treated with disrespect. He is a gracious man but strong, not weak.

Paula, your argument “do you really believe our Pope is that weak, you’re being used by Satan and have more respect” is beyond the point of ludicrous and displays your ignorance of and or sympathy to the men the Holy Father is unfortunately surrounded by in the Vatican.
Your post about about “german bulldog” also betrays the camp in which you reside. For the record, you have that wrong too. When Pope Benedict was elected he was repeatedly described by the liberal media as “God’s rottweiler”. Of course this description was completely opposite to what the man actually is: a very gentile scholar but after several weeks of the liberal “god’s rottweiler” nonsense, the media had firmly planted the image in people’s minds. By incorrectly using the “german bulldog” term, you’re hearkening back to that same liberal bs put out by the media back then. You’re also trying to perpetuate the myth of this Pope being harsh and brutal. In REALITY this pope IS surrounded by people at the Vatican who are constantly undermining his initiatives and directives. He is firmly in charge but he simply can’t control every one of these dozens and dozens of bishops who release erroneous statements “from the vatican”. The latest came just the other day when some “source” within the Vatican said the Pope would retire in 2012. It was pure bs of course and had to be denied by the Holy Father’s office. We see a constant stream of press releases which are jumped on by the liberal media globally (and perpetuated by people like you) which supposedly come “from the Vatican” but not actually from the Holy Father himself. The Observatore Romano has been busted numerous times printing bs liberal stories undermining the Holy Father.

So here in the video we see the Holy Father look at a Bishop DIRECTLY IN THE EYES after having shook hands with the previous bishop in line and the bishop does not raise his hand to shake the Pope’s hand. I’m not sure if you’ve lived in europe for any period of time. People there do not make flippant “polite” gestures as in the US, if they turn to shake your hand or raise a glass to salute and you don’t look them in the eyes or ignore them it is HIGHLY offending.

In summary, quit trying to perpetuate the “god’s rottweiler” liberal bs, nobody here is buying it and everyone has eyes to see this disrespect from these liberal, backbiting bishops. Oh, and quit trying to spin your ridiculous “HAVE MORE RESPECT” “you’re being used as a tool by Satan” argument.

Hello Peterman, My comment about people being used by Satan was preceded by the statement “if you insist on seeing him so weak after this has been pointed out to you as to think he is being snubbed here without his standing up for himself.”
My comment about about “german bulldog” doesn’t ‘betray my camp’ as you suggests, it only betrays my memory. Since I do not reside in the liberal camp as you come out and accuse me of (I ignore them as much as possible but obviously one cannot completely escape their poison), I did not remember the exact comparison that was made. I do now, “God’s Rottweiler”. Thank you for correcting me. I knew it was a dog of some form, and frankly maybe others see being compared to a Rottweiler as a negative thing, but frankly I do not. But then again, I am familiar with rottweilers. They are not harsh and brutal, but very loving and protective of their families. I see our Pope as strong and willing to stand up for the Truth, thank God. And even tho some may have tagged him with the image of a rottweiler as a negative thing, I have never seen it as such personally. So I think it ironic, that I bring up as a reminder of the strength of our Pope a moniker which you point out is a liberal moniker for him, I bring up this moniker in the face of a video which is cut out of context and presented in a negative light which shows our strong and gracious Pope as a doddering confused old man.
I have stated here that our Pope is gracious and behaves in a Christlike manner (by taking the hands of his prelates who have made a slight faux pas by taking advantage of being so close to him to touch him whom they love so much…something I cannot honestly say that I would not do myself), a point you may have missed. Being a gentile scholar does not mean the man is weak.
Again, I ask you, have you watched the Vatican’s video of the event? Are you ready then to also accuse the whole of the President’s men to be on the verge of revolution for having to completely and udderly ignored their own president in the same manner you are accusing a few of the Pope’s men, men who include his closest advisors and friends? Have you read Fr. Zuhlsdorf blog on the matter? Or maybe you understand that since these people see their president quite often that the are not desiring to take his hand in greeting when he is introducing the Pope to another person.
I am very sorry that you so willing to believe this gossip, for that is what it is. Do you honestly believe that we do not have enough betrayel in the Vatican that you are willing to accuse Msgr. Marini, Cardinal Brandmüller, and other members of the Pope’s entourage of snubbing the Pope when he is introducing the Bundesprasident to the person in the line next to them.

lol, “gentile” in my previous post should be “gentle”. Oh dear. ;-)

Oh dear indeed Paula. I accept your surrender, thanks for playing.

Gentile in French means gentle and kind, the exact opposite of what libs such as yourself try to portray the Holy Father with your “God’s Rottweiler” or as you incorrectly typed it “German Bulldog”.

Whenever someone is cornered, found out, and flat out busted for being who they really are online they often go with the grammar or spelling police argument.

Nice try Paula, since French is a second language for me and something I speak daily it’s where my thought was. So again, thanks for conceding victory in this debate. I’m glad I could point you out to all as the flaming lib that you are. Question: Why do libs such as yourself always try to hide your true identity. If you’re a lib and proud, shout it out loud. People might have a whole lot more respect for you.

Dear Mr. Peterman, Thank you for the French lesson, a language I know nothing of. I’m not sure where you understand me to be ‘surrendering’ or ‘conceding victory’, frankly I did not realize we were at war.
You have accused me of being a liberal when you know nothing of me for no other reason then because I have used to make a point a term that liberals have used. A point which, btw, you have chosen to completely ignore and not address. Why do you not also call me Jewish, Peterman? After all did I not call the Pope a “Gentile”? I found humor in that, I am sorry that you did not.

I believe that our interaction has reached it’s end Mr. Peterman, for I will not participate further in such unchristianlike behavior which our interaction seems to be bringing into being. I do not wish to be an occasion for sin for either you or myself.
I remain your sister in Christ.
May God bless you in your walk with Him.

p.s. to Mr. Peterman:
It just occurred to me that I should point out, that if I was the “flaming lib” you believe me to be, wouldn’t I have known that the Pope had been called “God’s Rottweiler” and not “The German Bulldog”?
May God’s Peace be with you.

Paula: 1 Timothy 2:12

For people that can convince themselves that virgins give birth, snakes talk, or that a deity who demands human sacrifice is actually good, Mr. Archbold is doing a rather poor job, it seems to me.

Mr. Archbold, you should actually try to demonstrate that refusing to shake hands with the pope, as some of this bishops are quite visibly doing, is actually the purest forms of submission.

Then you’ll prove yourself a true Christian.

What do you mean do not read into this! this is totally a slap on the face for the Pope, these Bishops that did not shake his hand should be reprimanded! how dose this look to the rest of world,this is appalling a disgrace for us Catholics..

Amador??

Ima, One can hope that the rest of the world will have seen this in context. I recommend watching it in context.
www.player.rv.va/vaticanplayer.asp?language=it&tic=VA_7B2RY5PY
Things taken out of context can be presented to mean something they do not.

ITS OBVIOUS THAT THESE SO CALL BISHOPS WERE VERY IMPOLITE TO PUT IT LIGHTLY.IF ANY MAN INCLUDING THE POPE EXTENDED THEIR HAND IT WOULD BE PROPER MANS MANNERS TO SHAKE HANDS. IT JUST SHOWS THEIR ARROGANT THINKING THAT THEY SO PERFECT CHOSEN MEN OF GOD WHO?PLEASE MEN GROW-UP AND ADDRESS HUMAN ISSUES IN THIS PLANET.

Fr. Z has got it in one, I think.

Because of this silliness, the Vatican’s spokesman, today Fr. Lombardi felt compelled to respond to blogoshere talk about the so-called “dissing bishops”...

Vatican spokesman rejects claim German bishops disrespected Pope:

http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/Vatican.php?id=4144#.TpYQff7cpeg.twitter

Don’t we all have enough problems…do we need to look for them where they don’t even exist?!

@ Robert K ,Thanks for post.  Amen.

Interesting video? I can see both sides of the issue. I guess we’re all too ready to believe that the bishops would snub the Pope, given what we’ve been reading about the Church in Germany. However, two things puzzle me. (1) If this is official protocol, then apparently the bishops were ill informed about what was expected of them (seeing that some did shake his hand). (2) If this is official protocol, then there should be numerous videos out there showing the same kind of thing happening during other visits - even during the pontificate of John Paul II. Are there? If so, that would decide the issue.

Doh!

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/vatican-spokesman-rejects-claim-german-bishops-disrespected-pope/

Sorry to disagree but these bishops who did not take the Holy Father’s outstreached hand were obviously dissident snobs who could see the Pope offering his hand.  This picture reminds me of many of our American bishops who openly thumb their noses to the authority of the Holy See while expecting priests and laity under their authority to knuckle under.

This has gone on too long. There are dissenting bishops, yes, but doubt they figured into this as some who did not shake the Pope’s hand are dear friends. Perhaps in future our dear pope should gesture with his LEFT hand so there is clarity to viewers and those in the line.

If they’re dissenting, then what is the protest over? Admittedly the pope is fairly lacking in true moral standing, I wouldn’t shake his hand, but then, that’s part of church doctrine, and they’re all in the same boat… So I can’t see why they’d do it… A misunderstanding is definitely possible here, though it really does look like the pope is offering handshakes and then looks mightily confused by the time he reaches the end of the line :/

It is sin against the first commandment to call a mere man Father. I pray you all repent and believe the gospel.

I am expected to believe that the bishops who shook Benedicts hand didn’t know protocol? Photos’ don’t lie, but even in the face of the truth, people of bad will do, and so try to influence others with their lies. Well not me, sorry!

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Amazing video, truly a good quality, this YouTube video touched me a lot in terms of quality.

Unacceptable!!! I will kick each one asses if I would be there, come on man you glasses if you don´t see this snub. Germans stupid Bishops, not surprising in a country with some people extremely stupid.

I would like to know what people say now that Ratzinger was forced to resign.