How to Address the Bishop

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paramedicgirl

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Next week our bishop is coming to say Mass while our priest is away. Some of us have plans to go to confession with the bishop. 🙂 My question is, how do we address him in confession? You know, the part where we say, Bless me Father, for I have sinned
 
Bless me Your Eminence or totally appropriate is Bless me Bishop.

Even if you slip and say Father, that is totally acceptable too.

How exciting to be given that opportunity. Peace and prayers to you.
 
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stbruno:
Bless me Your Eminence
Only if he’s a Cardinal.
 
You are correct about the Your Eminence being a Cardinal…I forgot that since our religious leader in Chicago is a Cardinal…

Both an Archbishop and a Bishop would be greeted as “Your Excellency” or “Your Grace” . For example, one would greet Bishop Loverde as “Your Excellency.” In writing to him (for instance, about how much you enjoy this column– only kidding), you would address the letter, “The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington,” with the salutation, “Your Excellency.”
Although some people today informally would approach Bishop Loverde and say, for instance, “Bishop, how are you?” one should properly say, “Bishop Loverde, how are you?” or “Your Excellency, how are you?” Just as a person would never approach Pope John Paul II and simply say, “Pope, how are you?” the title of office, in this case “bishop,” should not be used in an address without either the definite article the or a proper name
 
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