Monsignor and priest

[dashso40]

I’m relatively new to Catholic religion, I have a simple question…Why are some priests called Monsignor, and some called just father?..is a Monsignor assigned that title from the Bishop and how does he get it?

 

[NFrancis]

It is an honorary title given to priests by the Pope and it is usually requested by the bishop.

 

[musicality]

I’m pretty sure that the title can also be bestowed upon priests by bishops… I was confirmed by a monsignor in my diocese rather than the bishop of my diocese because there is no way that the bishop was going to make it to every confirmation. I believe the title gives the priest the right to perform certain sacraments/celebrations that would normally be reserved only to the bishop.

 

[LRThunder]

I’m pretty sure that the title can also be bestowed upon priests by bishops… I was confirmed by a monsignor in my diocese rather than the bishop of my diocese because there is no way that the bishop was going to make it to every confirmation. I believe the title gives the priest the right to perform certain sacraments/celebrations that would normally be reserved only to the bishop.

The title itself doesn’t give a priest the authority to confirm. For example, pastors can baptize AND confirm adult converts at the Easter Vigil. The pastor of a local parish, I’m sure, confirmed some adult converts and he’s not a monsignor.

 

[PacoG]

I’m pretty sure that the title can also be bestowed upon priests by bishops… I was confirmed by a monsignor in my diocese rather than the bishop of my diocese because there is no way that the bishop was going to make it to every confirmation. I believe the title gives the priest the right to perform certain sacraments/celebrations that would normally be reserved only to the bishop.

The title in and of itself doesn’t grant any authority. It is just an honorary title that is given to priests.

What you are talking about is that the bishop delegated the faculties to conduct confirmations to that particular priest. This is the equivalent of when the priest deputizes a layman to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop; the extraordinary ministers of Confirmation are priests to whom the ordinary delegates the faculty. That delegation is for that one administration of the sacrament and isn’t a permanent delegation (if I remember correctly).

Monsignor is an title of honor. It’s like Cardinal. Cardinals are no different from other bishops/priests/deacons except that they get to vote for the next pope, get precedence in processions and get to wear different vestments. Monisgnori are like any other priest except that they get to wear different choir vestments, get precedence in processions and get the nifty title.

 

[Toribus]

The title in and of itself doesn’t grant any authority. It is just an honorary title that is given to priests.

What you are talking about is that the bishop delegated the faculties to conduct confirmations to that particular priest. This is the equivalent of when the priest deputizes a layman to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The ordinary minister of Confirmation is the bishop; the extraordinary ministers of Confirmation are priests to whom the ordinary delegates the faculty. That delegation is for that one administration of the sacrament and isn’t a permanent delegation (if I remember correctly).

Priests have extraordinary faculties (ie outside the norm) to confirm youths when delegated by the bishop, and ordinary faculties (ie all the time) to confirm people who are being received into the church after reaching maturity.

So, while the bishop is the ordinary minister of confirmation in all circumstances, the priest is also an ordinary minister in limited circumstances, and an extraordinary minister in others (including emergencies).

Monsignor is an title of honor. It’s like Cardinal. Cardinals are no different from other bishops/priests/deacons except that they get to vote for the next pope, get precedence in processions and get to wear different vestments. Monisgnori are like any other priest except that they get to wear different choir vestments, get precedence in processions and get the nifty title.

In addition to their most important duty (forming the Conclave) and the privileges in precedence, Cardinals form the top tiers of the Roman Curia. Cardinals were originally the priests of the Roman Church (ie in Rome itself) closest to the Pope, who as priest of Rome advised him as Bishop of Rome. They formed his diocesan Curia (“court”) in the same way that modern Episcopal Vicars form the curia of your local diocese. This is why Cardinals have the distinct privilege to elect a Pope - he’s the only Bishop in the world that can’t be appointed by the Pope.

Monsignori are priests who have been granted special privileges by the Pope, usually at the request of their bishop, in recognition of outstanding service to the Church and the Faith. They tend to serve important functions within their diocese, or have demonstrated excellence by some other means (eg scholarly work) but gain no authority by virtue of the title alone. It’s basically like a knighthood - you get to wear special clothes and people call you “Sir” instead of “Mister”, but there’s no money or car.

 

[musicality]

Thanks for clearing that up. (My confirmation was a youth confirmation.)