....parents and relatives were encouraged to extend their hands in unison with the priest.
**
I have been subjected to such nonsense at my church.
This is something brand new in my area and only a few priests urge us to do it, mostly the ones at the local Catholic schools, which means the kids will think it's normal and do it as adults even if us parents complain now... But I don't get it. It feels awkward. We aren't all 'priests' merely be being Catholic. And then it blurs the line in favor of women as priests as well.