Inappropriate?

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damooster

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Is it inappropriate to call a priest by his nickname? I do not do this (I always call him Father) but everyone else calls him by his nickname. During Mass, someone yelled out his nickname (rather than Father) to get his attention during the announcements. Last night, a Benedictine nun, who was teaching our RCIA group about the Holy Spirit, greeted the Father by his nickname.

I’m sure Father doesn’t mind or he would say something, but it just seems inappropriate to me, especially in front of us newcomers. I don’t know; maybe my military background can’t grip the idea that people can be called by their nicknames and not their rank/title.

🤷
 
Is it OK to address the priest by his first name or nickname in “private,” meaning perhaps in the work setting if you are a parishioner who works with the priests or if he visits you or a family member for illness, death, etc. I, too, think it is inappropriate in the public forum, ie, Mass. My mother worked in health care (and so do I) and she always referred to the physicians she worked with as “Doctor” except in a social setting in our home or theirs (any hospital social setting she did not) and it was always the same way with the priests of our church - always “Father” - yet, I have heard so many people, especially recently use their first names if they have a personal relationship of any kind with the priest. I am just curious to know if this is OK, as I am still pretty uncomfortable with it. Thanks!
 
I’m close to my pastor and have known him since he was in seminary. I call him by his nickname when we speak in privacy.
But in front of other people I call him Father-Nickname. I can’t bring myself to call him Father-Name or Father-Surname, since I’ve used the nickname for such a long period of time. But I think Father-Nickname is respectful and appropriate.
 
p.s.I have never been in a situation where someone yells someone else’s name during Mass. Not even at the end of Mass.
 
mahalia said:
p.s.I have never been in a situation where someone yells someone else’s name during Mass. Not even at the end of Mass.
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It’s a very (very) liberal church. As of right now, I plan on attending Mass there once a month after I’m confirmed, but not much more than that.
 
We belong to a Francsican parish. We refer to our priests by their first names- chosen or given when talking about them. They are our brothers. Our parish priest is lovely and I call him by his Christian name in private but only because he allows it. In any formal setting he is either Bro X or Father X ofm. We have a new priest and I wouldn’t dream of calling him anything but Father X.

How could anyone think of calling out anything at Mass unless there was an emergency? Even then, the situation should be dealt with by the ushers who could alert the appropriate services.:mad:
 
Saintlucy said:
How could anyone think of calling out anything at Mass unless there was an emergency? Even then, the situation should be dealt with by the ushers who could alert the appropriate services.:mad:
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There have been many questionable situations at the parish. A few weeks ago, the head pastor’s dog crawled up to the altar and slept there. No one bothered him. Last weekend, after many members of the congregation offered up sad news for prayer intentions, someone thought it was necessary to try and break the ice by yelling out “Now, on a lighter note (insert announcement here).”

I could go on but I think I made a thread about it already.
 
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