How to address an archbishop

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What is the correct way to address an Archbishop, both face to face and in a formal letter.

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“Your Excellency” or if he happens to be a cardinal “Your Eminence”.

Now, as a practical matter, many people will simply say “Bishop”, “Archbishop”, “Cardinal”. Actually, even “Father” is appropriate.

Now in letter when addressing an envelope, for instance, one might go with the most formal “The Most Reverend Archbishop Thinkshessoholy D.D.”

Then, you could always just refer to him informally as “Bub”.

As far as ring kissing, it can be approrpriate but isn’t required. Some people like to do it (especially in a more formal setting) and some bishops like it, but probably no one will complain if you don’t. It certain situations, attempting it can actually be quite awkward.
 
I’ve never seen a non-awkward episcopal ring kissing. The kisser always rushes in and sort of dives at the prelate’s side, and the wearer of the ring looks somewhat uncomfortable.
 
introibo said:
I’ve never seen a non-awkward episcopal ring kissing. The kisser always rushes in and sort of dives at the prelate’s side, and the wearer of the ring looks somewhat uncomfortable.
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Yup…I just had the opportunity to kiss my bishop’s ring last night and it was awkward. But maybe the only reason it’s awkward is because it has fallen into disuse.

On another note, WHO does one address as “Your Grace”? I know I have heard this used, but of whom? Are archbishops and bishops both called “Your Excellency”?
 
Anima_Christi said:
Yup…I just had the opportunity to kiss my bishop’s ring last night and it was awkward. But maybe the only reason it’s awkward is because it has fallen into disuse.

On another note, WHO does one address as “Your Grace”? I know I have heard this used, but of whom? Are archbishops and bishops both called “Your Excellency”?
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I believe that “Your Grace” is more of an English tradition than American.
 
Yup…I just had the opportunity to kiss my bishop’s ring last night and it was awkward. But maybe the only reason it’s awkward is because it has fallen into disuse.
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That is probably the reason-it has fallen into disuse in America but I think it is good to keep that tradition alive. It goes smoother if you have a bishop or an archbishop who are “cool” with it.

I also strongly dislike when people say things like, “Hey, Bishop” or “How’s it goin’, Archbishop.” I personally think that one should at the least use the proper form of “Your Excellency” when you greet them. I tend to use it even when I refer to them after the initial greeting and only use “Bishop” or “Archbishop” in order not to wear out “Your Excellency” but if you’re conversational skills are decent then this won’t happen very often.
 
I believe that “Your Grace” is more of an English tradition than American.
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True. But I wish it was American too. Having a distinct hierarchy of terms of address would be nice:

Your Excellency
Your Grace
Your Beatitude
Your Eminence
Your Holiness

It would be nice to have that distinction between archbishops and bishops…
 
I believe Your Eminence is for cardinals

Your Holiness is used for all Patriarchs

Your Intelligence is used for Dr. Bombay !!!👍 👍
 
As I understand it, a regular bishop is “Your Excellency,” an archbishop is technically “Your Grace,” but “Your Excellency” is the most common, a cardinal is “Your Eminance,” and chances are most of us will never have the opportunity to utter the words, “Your Holiness.” In England, bishops are generally addressed as “My Lord” and introduced as “His Lordship, the Bishop of X.” “Monsignor” translates to “My Lord.”
 
Apparently some bishops do care and they don’t want to be referred to as Father. My wife and I were married by a priest who later became a Bishop. We ran into him at a restaurant a few years later and I referred to him as Father and he corrected me and said “Bishop”.
 
tmw said:
Apparently some bishops do care and they don’t want to be referred to as Father. My wife and I were married by a priest who later became a Bishop. We ran into him at a restaurant a few years later and I referred to him as Father and he corrected me and said “Bishop”.
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I would have recorrected him, noting that the Bishop is the primary Father of the flock and an image of God the Father.
 
steve99 said:
What is the correct way to address an Archbishop, both face to face and in a formal letter.

Thanks
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Seeing you are located in England, I would think “My Lord” would be the correct term.

In Australia the archbishop and bishop are greeted with “Your Excellency”, and on an envelope I would address it to the"Most Reverend …"
 
Two things not to do:

Don’t address your bishop as “duuuude!”

Don’t try to bite out the amethyst when you kiss his ring.
 
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