Why Do We Do That?
And other pressing questions of the day

Regardless of what Der Tommissars crazy bishops says, the kissing of a bishop's ring has absolutely nothing to do with "a silly superstition used by Hispanics to get good luck." The indomidable Tommissar also asks the musical question --- "wouldn't be be bombing the Islamists into the Stone Age?"

But anyhow, for those who aren't in the know... here's why we always kiss the ring of a bishop;

Custom prescribes that a layman or a cleric of inferior grade on being presented to a bishop should kiss his hand, that is to say his episcopal ring, but it is a popular misapprehension to suppose that any ndulgence is attached to the act. Episcopal rings, both at an earlier and later period, were sometimes used as receptacles for relics (reliquaries).

So you see, not only as an act of respect for his office, but also to kiss the Sacred Relic encased within. But I guess that's just a little too Catholic for some...