With his high forehead, cleft chin and old-world manners, Bishop Bernard Fellay has a definite aura. At Angelus Press’s annual Conference on Catholic Tradition in October, I watched as laymen, priests and Religious approached him, hoping to kiss his ring. He offered his hand with neither condescension nor embarrassment (both of which are more usual with bishops today).
But he isn’t aloof, either, which is another common episcopal vice. I saw him offer his hand to a one-year-old; Fellay and the child’s mother looked surprised when the child, too, kissed his ring. He walked away, and she offered her own hand, but the baby wouldn’t kiss it. Every now and then, Bishop Fellay would glide back over and offer his hand; each time, the child kissed his ring the prelate gave the mother an amused and approving grin.
