Adressing a Deacon

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How does one address a deacon?

The correct way to address a priest is the Reverend N. N., e.g. the Reverend John Smith, simply we often address him as Father, e.g. Fr. Smith.

I think if a deacon is a temporary deacon preparing for the priesthood and we’d addreess him as the Reverend N. N., e.g. the Reverend Peter Brown. What would be the less formal style? Would it be Deacon Brown?

How do we address permanent deacons?
 
Matthew_Holford said:
How does one address a deacon?

The correct way to address a priest is the Reverend N. N., e.g. the Reverend John Smith, simply we often address him as Father, e.g. Fr. Smith.

I think if a deacon is a temporary deacon preparing for the priesthood and we’d addreess him as the Reverend N. N., e.g. the Reverend Peter Brown. What would be the less formal style? Would it be Deacon Brown?

How do we address permanent deacons?
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Permanent and transitional are not really part of the title or an actual differentiation. They are Deacons. The terms only came about to distinguish married man who’s intention is to remain a lifelong Deacon. Although there really is nothing preventing the Church from ordaining him a preist if the Church wishes to. So addressing a Deacon would be the same regardless if they are permanent or transitional.

I believe for Roman Catholics its, Deacon . For Eastern Catholics its, Father Deacon.
 
Roman Church
In writing: Rev. Mr. n. or Deacon n..
Direct: Deacon n..

For the East, the direct is Father Deacon n..
 
ConstantineTG said:
Permanent and transitional are not really part of the title or an actual differentiation. They are Deacons.
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I wondered is there might be a differnce due the practical differences. Permanent deacons either never wear clerical address or only occasionally. Many have a full-time secular job and fulfil diaconal duties on a part-time basis.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
I wondered is there might be a differnce due the practical differences. Permanent deacons either never wear clerical address or only occasionally. Many have a full-time secular job and fulfil diaconal duties on a part-time basis.
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Right, the tasks the diocese would assign to them may differ because of their situation. But otherwise they are both ordained to the same diaconate. The permanent deacon may be excused from wearing clerical garb when not performing their ministry. Then again I’ve seen priests not wear their clerical garb on their day off.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
I wondered is there might be a differnce due the practical differences. Permanent deacons either never wear clerical address or only occasionally. Many have a full-time secular job and fulfil diaconal duties on a part-time basis.
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A deacon is a deacon is a deacon. He is a deacon at all times and should be addressed as so.

In the East we always address priests, deacons and bishops with their Christian name, never by their surname.
 
One time I accidently referred to our deacon as “Father.”

I apologized. He said that he gets that a lot because in Mexico, people refer to deacons as “Padresito” (“little father”).
 
PacoG said:
One time I accidently referred to our deacon as “Father.”

I apologized. He said that he gets that a lot because in Mexico, people refer to deacons as “Padresito” (“little father”).
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They priests Padrecito, as well, when they know them. It is s term of endearment.
 
My husband is a permanent deacon. He’s just Deacon & his first name in conversation. Above you were given the right information. If you know your deacon is married, and you want to send a Christmas Card or something not specifically to him, you can address it Reverend Mr. & Mrs Smith.
 
ciero said:
A deacon is a deacon is a deacon.
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I know but I explained in a previous post why I thought they may be addressed differently.
ciero said:
In the East we always address priests, deacons and bishops with their Christian name, never by their surname.
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Yes, I know. Clearly a cultural thing. In the west it is becoming more common to address clergy by their first name although it is generally considered impolite by many. I would always address my priest as Father or Father + surname. That is what I consider respectful. We don’t, and have never had a deacon, in our parish so never had to address one.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
I know but I explained in a previous post why I thought they may be addressed differently.

Yes, I know. Clearly a cultural thing. In the west it is becoming more common to address clergy by their first name although it is generally considered impolite by many. I would always address my priest as Father or Father + surname. That is what I consider respectful. We don’t, and have never had a deacon, in our parish so never had to address one.
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He is correct that a deacon is a deacon is a deacon, but it doesn’t mean they are not treated differently and in some cases should be treated differently. My diocese holds some very different norms for the two “types” of deacons. The TD is asked to wear clericals as a priest would, where as the PD is forbidden to wear the clerical colar. This is up to the Ordinary; the last bishop we had allowed both to wear clericals. Our current bishop does not want the two confused, especially a PD to a priest, and I agree, JMHO.

Also, as stated above, both PD and TD are referred to as Rev. Mr. when addressing them formally. Informal settings a simple, Deacon Gary or just Deacon will do (that is after December 11th!).

PS. if you dont know me by now, Gary is my name.😃
 
This is slightly off topic, but what happens to a transitional deacon who ends up not being ordained a priest (for example, someone who gets cold feet or flunks out of the seminary)? Do they have the option of remaining deacons or does Rome laicize them? (The example I am thinking about, if anyone has seen the movie/play “Mass Appeal” is the character of Deacon Dolson.)
 
PacoG said:
This is slightly off topic, but what happens to a transitional deacon who ends up not being ordained a priest (for example, someone who gets cold feet or flunks out of the seminary)? Do they have the option of remaining deacons or does Rome laicize them? (The example I am thinking about, if anyone has seen the movie/play “Mass Appeal” is the character of Deacon Dolson.)
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From the Code of Canon Law:
Can. 1038 A deacon who refuses to be promoted to the priesthood may not be forbidden the exercise of the order he has received, unless he is constrained by a canonical impediment, or unless there is some other grave reason, to be estimated by the diocesan Bishop or the competent major Superior

There are also cases in religious life (that I am aware of) where the major superior has denied the ordination to the priesthood after the man is made a deacon. I am not sure if this happens at the diocesen level.
 
In writing, it’s “The Reverend Mr.” [last name]

The custom here when speaking about or to a Deacon is to call him “Deacon” [first name]

I know someone who was a transitional Deacon and then did not enter the priesthood - he remains a Deacon; he was not laicized.
 
ByzCath said:
For a religious who is a deacon is it Reverend Brother.
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Only in the west. The Eastern churches, such hierodeacons are still Father Hierodeacon (or just Father Deacon) when identifiable as deacons.
 
PacoG said:
One time I accidently referred to our deacon as “Father.” .
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In the Eastern Catholic Churches, any male cleric or religious is addressed as “Father”, even lay monks.

A Deacon, for example, is addressed as “Father Deacon”
 
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