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Michael038
Guest
What exactly is a Monseinor(forgive the spelling)? What is the difference between them and a typical Priest?
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Chatter163
Guest
A monsignor (Latin for my lord) is still a priest, but is basically an honorary bishop. Because of his exemplary service for the Church (or sometimes his close friendshop with the bishop), the bishop submits his name to the Holy See, requesting that he be named an honorary prelate. If this is granted (and it usually is), the priest may wear some violet trim on his cassock and biretta (if he wears one), signifying his honorary status.
There are actually three different levels of monsignori: chamberlains (chaplains) to His Holiness, who usually work in Rome; prelates of honor (formerly called domestic prelates), which includes most monsignori that you will meet; and protonotaries apostolic, which are rare and are recipients of the highest level of recognition. This is usually given to older monisgnori who have distinguished themselves as monsignori, but are unlikely to become bishops.
Monsignori used to be able to wear a bishop’s vestments on limited occasions, but that stopped in 1968. Their titles are
The Rev. Msgr. ________________ (followed by P.A. if they are protonotaries apostolic).
In Europe and Latin America, bishops are sometimes addressed as Monsignor, but this is something separate and is unrelated to the title of Monsignor as given to priests.
There are actually three different levels of monsignori: chamberlains (chaplains) to His Holiness, who usually work in Rome; prelates of honor (formerly called domestic prelates), which includes most monsignori that you will meet; and protonotaries apostolic, which are rare and are recipients of the highest level of recognition. This is usually given to older monisgnori who have distinguished themselves as monsignori, but are unlikely to become bishops.
Monsignori used to be able to wear a bishop’s vestments on limited occasions, but that stopped in 1968. Their titles are
The Rev. Msgr. ________________ (followed by P.A. if they are protonotaries apostolic).
In Europe and Latin America, bishops are sometimes addressed as Monsignor, but this is something separate and is unrelated to the title of Monsignor as given to priests.
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Michael038
Guest
Thank You
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harinkj
Guest
Yes. Thank you. That is a very good explaination for those of us who didn’t know.
- Kathie :bowdown:
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severinus
Guest
The rest of Chatter’s answer is excellent, but *monsignor * is not Latin. It is the Italian version of the French monseigneur. “My Lord” would be dominus or *dominus meus * in Latin.
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Chatter163
Guest
You are, of course, correct. I meant to say French, but for some reason had Latin on the mind. Mea culpa and that IS Latin!
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bknebel
Guest
is there a way for a lay person to ‘submit’ a holy priest’s name for becoming a Monsignor?
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NetNuncio
Guest
You can encourage your bishop and the Holy See to look into a priest who you feel is worthy to be a monsignor. The best way to do this is to write your bishop and copy the letter to the Vicar of the Clergy for your diocese and also send a letter to the Congregation for the Clergy at the Holy See. The Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy is Dario Cardinal Castrillon-Hoyos.
Adam
Adam
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Brendan
Guest
In countries with ranks of nobility, the title of Monsignor granted the priest “Gentry” status if he did not already have it.
The parish priest ranked as base Gentry ( equal to the “Country Squire”)
The Monsignor would rank in precidence equal to that of a Knight
The Bishop ranked equal to that of an Earl\Count
And the ArchBishop ranked equal to that of a Duke.
(and Etymologically it comes from both Italian and French: Italian monsignore, from French monseigneur,the plural monsignori, is Italian)
The parish priest ranked as base Gentry ( equal to the “Country Squire”)
The Monsignor would rank in precidence equal to that of a Knight
The Bishop ranked equal to that of an Earl\Count
And the ArchBishop ranked equal to that of a Duke.
(and Etymologically it comes from both Italian and French: Italian monsignore, from French monseigneur,the plural monsignori, is Italian)
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felra
Guest
This is a serious question: Is there a mechanism by which the honorary title of monsignor can be revoked from a priest (for reasons of being less than honorary in conduct or heterodoxy)? If so, how does a laity go about promoting this “demotion” of honor. Btw–I do have a particular monsignor in mind.
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harinkj
Guest
Why? It seems to me that all of us should worry about our own lives.
Kathie :bowdown:
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felra
Guest
Yes, but what if your private, intimate life has been seriously disrupted by a clergy with the honorary distinction of monsignor and who has not mended the errors of his ways? Please answer this one for me. I just loathe to think that others would put stock and trust in the monsignor title and likewise end up being duped/seduced by this “wolf in sheep’s clothing” clergy through his charismatic personality, “Monsignor stature”, and sophisticated heterodox counsel. I really have no intentions to “bring him down” (he is not my problem), just like to know the accountability options that go with his distinguished title.
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Chatter163
Guest
Offer it up and let it go. There is no such mechanism, and even if there were, it would be probably be abused. Let go.
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felra
Guest
I was asking but a simple question. You two fellow posters certainly need to settle down and not look for no good reason to get all excited and offer unsolicited advice–“let it go! …” (maybe too much time on your hands?Offer it up and let it go. There is no such mechanism, and even if there were, it would be probably be abused. Let go.
) :bowdown: BTW–do you have it on good authority that “There is no such mechanism”?
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HagiaSophia
Guest
First of all there are two categories of monsignor status:I was asking but a simple question. You two fellow posters certainly need to settle down and not look for no good reason to get all excited and offer unsolicited advice–“let it go! …” (maybe too much time on your hands?
BTW–do you have it on good authority that “There is no such mechanism”?
One is for life and the other for the life of the Pope who appoints him. It would be most unlikely that reporting anyone whether found guilty or innocent of the problems you have with him would have that monsignor honor taken away. If the priest was to be chastized in any way his title would have nothing much to do with the matter. It is an honorary title. It isn’t like the movies where if you are in the army they pull off your epaulettes and buttons.
And I think it has to be pointed out that when you post on an open board it is expected you will receive commentary in return – all of it wont be agrreable to one’s own POV - but then that’s to be expected also, no???
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felra
Guest
Thank you.HagiaSophia said:
I know …beyond being a distraction, it can have entertainment value.
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HagiaSophia
Guest
beyond being a distraction, it can have entertainment value.
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Pentecost2005
Guest
If you don’t want to answer the question, then just don’t answer the question.Offer it up and let it go. There is no such mechanism, and even if there were, it would be probably be abused. Let go.
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Chatter163
Guest
Sorry, but that is not correct, though it was in the past. All monsignori are so named for as long as they are simple priests. If they are consecrated bishops, then the point beomes moot.
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