Addressing Clergy from other Denominations

[In_Hoc_Signo312]

I remember there was an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” that began with a depiction of Jacob Marley’s funeral and, during the course of a conversation when it had ended, Scrooge addressed the (presumably) Anglican priest (are they called priests in the Anglican community?) as “sir” during the conversation. I don’t know if Charles Dickens meant for Ebeneezer Scrooge to be particularly religious, and it’s possible that his addressing him as “sir” in this adaptation was meant to be an indication of that, but it made me think about it. How would one address an Anglican Clergyman? Are they called father, too? Or are they called something else instead?

 

[Bonnie]

formsofaddress.info/CLE.html

Hope that helps.

 

[MiserableSinner]

I think some Anglo-Catholics were brought into full communion and have valid Holy Orders, if I read right. So they would be called Father. But if they are still separated from the Church, and don’t even have valid Holy Orders, I sure wouldn’t be calling them “Father.” “Father” indicates spiritual fatherhood. “Sir” works.

 

[theropod]

Anglican priests are called “Father”, but I doubt any would take it personally if you didn’t, and I doubt they would expect anyone outside the denomination to do so.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

As an Anglican, I can tell you that it varies from country to country, and depending on the placement (or job) of the priest.

But ‘Sir’, especially in the UK, is always a polite expression.

If the priest is vicar of a parish, then ‘Vicar’ works.

‘Father’ or ‘Mother’ works.

‘Reverend’ does NOT.

‘Doctor’ works if the priest is indeed The Reverend Doctor, or a professor. Same for ‘Dean’ if the priest is Dean of a Cathedral or educational institution.

Bishop works if the priest is a Bishop.

 

[Tommy999]

Most of the clergy in evangelical protestant circles where I attend are most often referred to as “Pastor” followed by the person’s first or last name, depending on the degree of affection and/or respect for said person. For example, “Pastor Tom” or “Pastor Harrison”, for example, in the same way Catholics could call their priest “Father Mitch” or “Father Pacwa”, for instance.

By the way, *‘A Christmas Carol’ *especially the version from 1938 starring Reginald Owen and Gene Lockhart is one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time, although I don’t think it was meant to be overtly religious. I think it was meant to be more of a humanitarian story and highlights Dickens’ concerns about poverty and social injustice back in the mid 1840s at the time it was written.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I remember there was an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” that began with a depiction of Jacob Marley’s funeral and, during the course of a conversation when it had ended, Scrooge addressed the (presumably) Anglican priest (are they called priests in the Anglican community?) as “sir” during the conversation. I don’t know if Charles Dickens meant for Ebeneezer Scrooge to be particularly religious, and it’s possible that his addressing him as “sir” in this adaptation was meant to be an indication of that, but it made me think about it. How would one address an Anglican Clergyman? Are they called father, too? Or are they called something else instead?

As a priest, when I address a counterpart in the Anglican Communion (or any other ecclesiastical community, for that matter) of course I extend to them the courtesy of addressing them as convention dictates. An Anglican priest I would address as Father or Canon, as their status dictates. A bishop I always address as “Your Grace”.

One is as respectful of their protocol as they are of our protocol.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I remember there was an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” that began with a depiction of Jacob Marley’s funeral and, during the course of a conversation when it had ended, Scrooge addressed the (presumably) Anglican priest (are they called priests in the Anglican community?) as “sir” during the conversation. I don’t know if Charles Dickens meant for Ebeneezer Scrooge to be particularly religious, and it’s possible that his addressing him as “sir” in this adaptation was meant to be an indication of that, but it made me think about it. How would one address an Anglican Clergyman? Are they called father, too? Or are they called something else instead?

The conventions and the protocol of 19th century Victorian England were different than they are today – for both Catholics and Anglicans…in both the United Kingdom and in the United States.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

As a priest, when I address a counterpart in the Anglican Communion (or any other ecclesiastical community, for that matter) of course I extend to them the courtesy of addressing them as convention dictates. An Anglican priest I would address as Father or Canon, as their status dictates. A bishop I always address as “Your Grace”.

One is as respectful of their protocol as they are of our protocol.

Thank you for this. The only post script is that, in my experience in the US and Canada also, Bishops tend to be ‘Bishop’ rather than ‘Your Grace’ or ‘My Lord.’ I think those two titles are more formal and UK centric.

Of course we haven’t much addressed women in the priesthood. A Bishop is still called ‘Bishop’ regardless of gender, but priests can have difference preferences. We haven’t really settled on standard form, even tho, in the US, it’s been 40 years. Some prefer ‘Mother’. Others ‘Pastor’, and others have other preferences.

If I am addressing clergy from another tradition, I always call them by their given title, and if I don’t know, I ask. I have done many years of interfaith work, so I know standard protocol pretty well.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Thank you for this. The only post script is that, in my experience in the US and Canada also, Bishops tend to be ‘Bishop’ rather than ‘Your Grace’ or ‘My Lord.’ I think those two titles are more formal and UK centric.

Of course we haven’t much addressed women in the priesthood. A Bishop is still called ‘Bishop’ regardless of gender, but priests can have difference preferences. We haven’t really settled on standard form, even tho, in the US, it’s been 40 years. Some prefer ‘Mother’. Others ‘Pastor’, and others have other preferences.

If I am addressing clergy from another tradition, I always call them by their given title, and if I don’t know, I ask. I have done many years of interfaith work, so I know standard protocol pretty well.

Really? Thank you for this. I trust that you would know the prevailing practice. I have, over the years, addressed a number of American bishops of the Episcopal Church, both in the presence of their British counterpart(s) (or more recently, African) as well as alone, and none have ever corrected my use of “Your Grace” nor have they asked that another term be used…although my usage is, admittedly, in typically formal settings and perhaps they were being polite to me. Retired, I may not have the occasion to use this insight now but I shall remember to ask them, after using the formal title of address, if they prefer to be addressed otherwise.

I am reminded of a meeting with a Catholic archbishop from a Commonwealth nation. The Americans (and others, too) universally use “Your Excellency” for bishops and archbishops. Catholic archbishops of Commonwealth nations are addressed “Your Grace” to distinguish them from mere bishops. Forgetting that he was of the Commonwealth, I addressed him as “Your Excellency”. He visibly blanched and I immediately realised my error and said: “I beg your forgiveness, Your Grace; I momentarily forgot that you are, of course, from X”. He replied, “It is understandable that one could have such a lapse. We forgive you.” I have not repeated that mistake, happily.

In the instance of ordained women, I confess to being guided either by how they introduce themselves or are introduced to me. If I cannot divine a clue from the initial moments, I try to ask as discreetly as possible how they prefer to be addressed and respect what they tell me.

 

[Picky_Picky]

Really? Thank you for this. I trust that you would know the prevailing practice. I have, over the years, addressed a number of American bishops of the Episcopal Church, both in the presence of their British counterpart(s) (or more recently, African) as well as alone, and none have ever corrected my use of “Your Grace” nor have they asked that another term be used…although my usage is, admittedly, in typically formal settings and perhaps they were being polite to me. Retired, I may not have the occasion to use this insight now but I shall remember to ask them, after using the formal title of address, if they prefer to be addressed otherwise.

I am reminded of a meeting with a Catholic archbishop from a Commonwealth nation. The Americans (and others, too) universally use “Your Excellency” for bishops and archbishops. Catholic archbishops of Commonwealth nations are addressed “Your Grace” to distinguish them from mere bishops. Forgetting that he was of the Commonwealth, I addressed him as “Your Excellency”. He visibly blanched and I immediately realised my error and said: “I beg your forgiveness, Your Grace; I momentarily forgot that you are, of course, from X”. He replied, “It is understandable that one could have such a lapse. We forgive you.” I have not repeated that mistake, happily.

In the instance of ordained women, I confess to being guided either by how they introduce themselves or are introduced to me. If I cannot divine a clue from the initial moments, I try to ask as discreetly as possible how they prefer to be addressed and respect what they tell me.

My belief is that the only clergy entitled to be called “Your Grace” in the Church of England are the two archbishops, and this is ordinarily used only in formal settings. (Other bishops may have been too polite to correct you, or perhaps just too pleased!). In informal settings “Archbishop” would do, or even Dr Whatsisname, if Archbishop Whatsisname is indeed a doctor: Mr Welby, for instance, is not.

Ordinary run-of-the mill CofE bishops are entitled to be called “My Lord” and are so called in formal settings. Informally “Bishop” or Dr Whatsisname as with archbishops. Rachel Treweek is now Lord Bishop of Gloucester, and gave her name as such when she was introduced to the House of Lords, but whether one should called her “My Lord” I somewhat doubt. “Bishop”, I think.

“Mr Dean”, or just “Dean”; “Archdeacon”; “Canon”.

Non commissioned officers: “Vicar” or “Rector” if that is what he/she is and you are a parishioner, otherwise “Fr Whatsisname” if that’s how he likes it; “Mother Whatshername” (rather rare, this) if that’s how she likes it; or “Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss Whatstheirname”; or Fred or Freda if you know them that well and they prefer it.

Most CofE clergy don’t get too worked up about these things. The one error that tends to get up their noses is being addressed as “Reverend”, or addressed on an envelope or whatever as “the Reverend Smith” rather than, say, “the Reverend John Smith”.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

The one error that tends to get up their noses is being addressed as “Reverend”, or addressed on an envelope or whatever as “the Reverend Smith” rather than, say, “the Reverend John Smith”.

‘Rev’ notwithstanding.

 

[Picky_Picky]

‘Rev’ notwithstanding.

Yep

 

[Son_of_Niall]

I think some Anglo-Catholics were brought into full communion and have valid Holy Orders, if I read right. So they would be called Father. But if they are still separated from the Church, and don’t even have valid Holy Orders, I sure wouldn’t be calling them “Father.” “Father” indicates spiritual fatherhood. “Sir” works.

Seems rather disrespectful.

 

[GKC]

Seems rather disrespectful.

Not something that would likely bother ACs like me. There are certain Anglicans in collars I don’t address as a priest, or valid clergy, myself. And I’m very familiar with Apostolice curae.

 

[Alex_H]

I was baptized in the Episcopal Church. People from my congregation always called the priest “Reverend.” (For Example, Reverend Smith, Reverend Jones, etc)

I may have misunderstood the others in this thread but I believe some of them said that you could not address an Episcopal priest as “Reverend.”

In the cathedral, however, the Bishop preferred for all of the clergy at the cathedral to be called “Canon.”

 

[ComplineSanFran]

I was baptized in the Episcopal Church. People from my congregation always called the priest “Reverend.” (For Example, Reverend Smith, Reverend Jones, etc)

I may have misunderstood the others in this thread but I believe some of them said that you could not address an Episcopal priest as “Reverend.”

In the cathedral, however, the Bishop preferred for all of the clergy at the cathedral to be called “Canon.”

Yes, Canon is a title given some of the staff who minister in the Cathedral. It occasionally is given as an honorific title to non-Cathedral clergy.

The use of ‘Reverend’ in the Episcopal Church is, from my experience, not used. ‘Reverend Smith’ or ‘Reverent Tim’ is not what most clergy ask to be called. You are the first I have known to have used it.

 

[Alex_H]

Yes, Canon is a title given some of the staff who minister in the Cathedral. It occasionally is given as an honorific title to non-Cathedral clergy.

The use of ‘Reverend’ in the Episcopal Church is, from my experience, not used. ‘Reverend Smith’ or ‘Reverent Tim’ is not what most clergy ask to be called. You are the first I have known to have used it.

Hmm. Well we learn something new every day. Maybe I was the only one saying Reverend!

 

[cmodrmac]

we use the term Rector for our Priest-we have a Rector which is the official Pastor of the Church-often a Parish will have a “Priest in Charge” -this person is not officially the Rector or Pastor but is in charge of liturgy and other aspects of the daily life of the Parish-this is an intermediate step-the Priest either becomes the Rector or will move on to another Parish -

to remove a Rector requires a more complicated set of actions including the approval of the Bishop-this is less intense for a Priest in Charge-

Vicar is not used too often in Florida where I reside -we do have a couple of Canons ( think like Monsignors) in the Diocese attached to the cathedral

we have a Bishop over the Diocese

 

[Sy_Noe]

‘Rev’ notwithstanding.

The priest at my nearest Episcopal church told me he introduces himself to newcomers with his 1st name and surname and doesn’t mind being addressed by his 1st name. I may be in a rather progressive diocese though. As that particular parish has 2 traditional Sunday services along with an acoustic guitar/piano service on Saturday evenings and a 4th service which is contemporary with a band as their late morning Sunday service. And another church in the diocese has a jazz service on Sat evening. That one in the parish hall however. The priest introducing himself without a title did say most Episcopalians still seem uncomfortable addressing him without a title so he gets a lot of Father with his 1st or last name. Their female associate pastor, whose podcasts of sermons I am fond of listening to, goes by “Rev” (not Reverend) followed by her 1st name or just by her 1st name. During the podcasts I’ve heard speakers address her either by “Rev” 1st name or just her 1st name. Another female priest at another local Episcopal church with whom I corresponded with a few times always signed just her 1st name. But that church now has a new priest and he uses Fr. I should note I’m in the US.

I know a few Christian Church, Disciple of Christ clergy who use only their 1st names. Among UCC clergy from my experience I’ve found both pastor or Reverend. And PCUSA, Reverend. UMC, pastor. I imagine it can vary to some degree though.