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Mary & the SaintsIntermediate

Peter told Cornelius not to kneel before him. Should Catholics kneel before a statue of Mary?

Mary & the Saints

The short answer

Kneeling is not always worship. Catholics kneel before a statue of Mary to show her respect and honor and to ask her intercession, not to worship her.

The passage reads: "When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, 'Get up. I myself am also a human being'" (Acts 10:25-26).

But kneeling is not always an act of worship. Catholics kneel before a statue of the Virgin Mary to show her respect and honor and to ask for her intercession, not to worship her.