Non-catholic clergy titles

[papaspicy]

I know that names are just names, but what should Catholics think about non-catholic clergy using titles like priest, bishop, apostle, etc.? I know that these men or women do not hold these offices from the Catholic perspective, but how do we show respect to their understanding of the positions and the titles that represent them? It always bothers me when I see a preacher claiming to be God’s apostle, much in the same way that it bothers me when Mormons are lumped in with Christians.

 

[John_Higgins]

We properly address them the way their adherents would address them. Pope John Paul addressed the Dalai Lama as “Your Holiness”, which is the preferred style of address for him.

John

 

[ALLFORHIM]

We properly address them the way their adherents would address them. Pope John Paul addressed the Dalai Lama as “Your Holiness”, which is the preferred style of address for him.

John

Hi,
The ministers in my church go by pastor or minister or just by their name.

 

[Sixtus]

what should Catholics think about non-catholic clergy using titles like priest,

Strictly speaking the only Churches that can have a priest are Catholic [both Eastern and Roman Rites], since a priest is one who officiates in a sacrifice, which is what the Catholic Mass is.

In our [Catholic] Church, the priest prefers to be known as ‘Paster’. His assistant priest as Provocial Vicar.

 

[THutch04]

All of my Anglican priests would probably wish to be referred to as “Father” or “Pastor” if he’s in charge of a parish. Although “Vicar” is also becoming more common.

The female Anglican priest I had for a class a few years ago however, did say that people were allowed to refer to her by her doctorate title, instead of her religious title.

 

[BlestOne]

I once got a flyer inviting me to a Baptist church to meet the new pastor and “first lady” of the church…what???

 

[LilyM]

I once got a flyer inviting me to a Baptist church to meet the new pastor and “first lady” of the church…what???

Does that make the Baptist pastor the President or something?

 

[lak611]

I once got a flyer inviting me to a Baptist church to meet the new pastor and “first lady” of the church…what???

First lady means the pastor’s wife.

I have a good friend who is a Methodist minister. I call him Reverend (then his last name).

 

[Lepanto]

Holy Orders outside of the Catholic and Orthodox churches are invalid.

No matter how much purple finery and pectoral crosses the “archbishop” of Canterbury may wear, he is every bit as much a layman as you or I.

-]“Sir” or “Mr.” is the appropriate title/-].

 

[sandmountainsli]

Holy Orders outside of the Catholic and Orthodox churches are invalid.

No matter how much purple finery and pectoral crosses the “archbishop” of Canterbury may wear, he is every bit as much a layman as you or I.

“Sir” or “Mr.” is the appropriate title.

Your post is the height of rudeness.
Our ministers are called “The Reverend”.
We have the courtesy to call your priests “Father so and so” rather than “Mr” and you should have the same respect. Not everyone agrees with your opinions.
It is attitudes like those Lepanto shows in his post which brings alot of Non-Catholics down on the RCC.
WP

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Holy Orders outside of the Catholic and Orthodox churches are invalid.

No matter how much purple finery and pectoral crosses the “archbishop” of Canterbury may wear, he is every bit as much a layman as you or I.

“Sir” or “Mr.” is the appropriate title.

Actually, we should follow the lead our own shepherds, paricularly the popes, and call them what their own ecclesiastical communities call them.

 

[Valke2]

I know that names are just names, but what should Catholics think about non-catholic clergy using titles like priest, bishop, apostle, etc.? I know that these men or women do not hold these offices from the Catholic perspective, but how do we show respect to their understanding of the positions and the titles that represent them? It always bothers me when I see a preacher claiming to be God’s apostle, much in the same way that it bothers me when Mormons are lumped in with Christians.

As a Jew I don’t get upset when Catholic clergy uses the term “priest”.

 

[Joe_Monahan]

We properly address them the way their adherents would address them. Pope John Paul addressed the Dalai Lama as “Your Holiness”, which is the preferred style of address for him.

John’s reply correctly states the standards of civil and polite society, the practice observed by most ecclesiastical bodies (including the Catholic Church) in dealing with clergy and hierarchs of faiths other than their own, and the policy of this site in speaking of clergy, Catholic or otherwise.

Joe Monahan

 

[lak611]

Your post is the height of rudeness.
Our ministers are called “The Reverend”.
We have the courtesy to call your priests “Father so and so” rather than “Mr” and you should have the same respect. Not everyone agrees with your opinions.
It is attitudes like those Lepanto shows in his post which brings alot of Non-Catholics down on the RCC.
WP

I am a Catholic, but I DO believe in showing respect to ministers and rabbis. I address them in the same manner that members of their church or synagogue address them. All of us, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc., must be charitable to our neighbours.

 

[Lepanto]

Your post is the height of rudeness.
Our ministers are called “The Reverend”.
We have the courtesy to call your priests “Father so and so” rather than “Mr” and you should have the same respect. Not everyone agrees with your opinions.
It is attitudes like those Lepanto shows in his post which brings alot of Non-Catholics down on the RCC.
WP

You attack my person by calling my post rude, yet you do not (or can not?) refute the point of my post: non-Catholic/Orthodox orders are invalid.

Why not address the validity issue instead of attacking me?

 

[Lepanto]

Actually, we should follow the lead our own shepherds, paricularly the popes, and call them what their own ecclesiastical communities call them.

You (correctly) refer to their organizations as “ecclesiastical communities” instead of churches, because the Catholic Church believes that there is only one true Church (please refer to the document Dominus Iesus).

I suspect that they would be upset at the reference to their organizations as “ecclesiastical communities” instead of churches. So if the Catholic Church does not recognize them as actually being “churches” (in the technical sense of the word), why should we recognize their clergyman titles?

 

[Lepanto]

I am a Catholic, but I DO believe in showing respect to ministers and rabbis. I address them in the same manner that members of their church or synagogue address them. All of us, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc., must be charitable to our neighbours.

In the case of an Anglican “priest,” he is no more validly ordained than I am. In fact, the Anglican Communion co-opts the meaning of the word “priest” when they use it because it cheapens the priesthood of the validly ordained.

This is not about being charitable. It is about being precise in our language.

And yes, I do refer to Rabbis by their titles.

 

[BlestOne]

First lady means the pastor’s wife.

Why does she get a title? Does she have a paid position with the church? Does she have any sort of degree in theology? I don’t get it…is it title by proxy?

 

[JKirkLVNV]

You (correctly) refer to their organizations as “ecclesiastical communities” instead of churches, because the Catholic Church believes that there is only one true Church (please refer to the document Dominus Iesus).

I suspect that they would be upset at the reference to their organizations as “ecclesiastical communities” instead of churches. So if the Catholic Church does not recognize them as actually being “churches” (in the technical sense of the word), why should we recognize their clergyman titles?

I’m aware of the general invalidity of Anglican orders (“general” because some bishops have taken the precaution of inviting to assist in their consecrations Old Catholic Bishops and others who DO actually have valid orders). The popes, however, have generally refered to them by their proper titles. It seems a good idea to do likewise. They understand that we don’t regard their orders as valid (it bothers some of them and they do as I describe above).

 

[FredM]

Holy Orders outside of the Catholic and Orthodox churches are invalid.

No matter how much purple finery and pectoral crosses the “archbishop” of Canterbury may wear, he is every bit as much a layman as you or I.

-]“Sir” or “Mr.” is the appropriate title/-].

What question are you addressing or are you trying to make some point that wasn’t asked?

I thought someone wishes to know about proper titles not about Anglican orders.

Your nasitiness doesn’t add value to anyone.

Fred