Addressing Female Episcopalian Priests

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If vicar, then ‘Vicar’, if not then likely ‘Reverend’, if in doubt I’d ask.
 
“Reverend” would be quite wrong for a CofE priest, but of course things may be different for other Anglicans.
 
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness and sobriety;
not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Let the woman learn - in silence - with all subjection.

But I suffer not a woman to teach,
nor to usurp authority over the man,
but to be - in silence.

For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
And Adam was not deceived,
but the woman being deceived -
was in the transgression.

Glad I don’t go there !
 
Encouraging falsehood is not “charitable.” There’s a guy in Kansas who thinks he’s the pope and wants to be called Your Holiness. Should we “respect” his wishes out of “charity”? Of course not. What about a Wiccan priest who wants to be addressed with a title?
 
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In the Church of England often clergy prefer just to be called by their Christian name. The Bishop might be know as “Bishop Mark” or something but the minister is often just called, Steve, Andrew, Sarah etc.
 
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KMG said:
Encouraging falsehood is not “charitable.” There’s a guy in Kansas who thinks he’s the pope and wants to be called Your Holiness. Should we “respect” his wishes out of “charity”? Of course not. What about a Wiccan priest who wants to be addressed with a title?
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I regard Anglican and RC priests as wholly mistaken in their beliefs. That doesn’t mean I would address them in anything but a respectful manner. I recommend a similar approach to you: an approach, incidentally, followed by both Anglican and Roman Catholic hierarchy.
 
Some parts of the Wesleyan family have had female clergy for over 150 years. Interestingly there is a church in my home town that had women preachers and ministers in the 19th century but refuses to have them in the 21st
 
Alex5 said:
In the Church of England often clergy prefer just to be called by their Christian name. The Bishop might be know as “Bishop Mark” or something but the minister is often just called, Steve, Andrew, Sarah
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That’s true, but if I’ve never met The Revd Sarah before, I’m not keen to spring immediately into first names. More likely to call her nothing at all (or perhaps “mumble mumble”).
 
Annie said:
How do you ask someone how they want to be addressed? It seems like it would be rude not to know?
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No, it is not rude not to know how to address someone that is part of a group you were not a part of. Simply say something along the lines of, “I’m not familiar with a Episcopalian honorifics, what is the proper way to address you?” I guess one question would be how did she introduce herself? If she said I am Reverend Smith that should be a clue, or if she said I am Pastor Patty that should be a clue, or if she simply said hi I am Janet, then call her Janet.
 
The Catholic Church doesn’t have a copyright on the word “priest.” We don’t recognize Episcopal ordination as valid in the context of how we define the Sacrament of Orders. That said, there are Shinto priests, Buddhist priests, and a whole array of priests in various Protestant denominations. When various popes have met with the the Archbishops of Canterbury, do you think they called them “Mister?” No.
 
Mattapoisett64 said:
The Catholic Church doesn’t have a copyright on the word “priest.” We don’t recognize Episcopal ordination as valid in the context of how we define the Sacrament of Orders. That said, there are Shinto priests, Buddhist priests, and a whole array of priests in various Protestant denominations. When various popes have met with the the Archbishops of Canterbury, do you think they called them “Mister?” No.
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Respect for the person and the office goes a long way, doesn’t it? I have heard the Catholic Bishop speak to the Mormon Bishop here in San Francisco, each calling the other by their titles.
 
Thanks everyone! I now exactly what to do if I meet a female member if another denomination’s clergy!
 
Thanks for the edit, Monica 🙂 imagine what this thread would have been like without it!!!
 
Sigh. I guess, following my policy of treating people who do odd things decently and praying for them that I couldn’t run screaming for the exit, but I’d choose Pickypicky’s solution of mumblemumble.
 
Very recent, considering the two thousand year history of Christ’s Church.
 
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