Proper address for a Bishop/Cardinal

[CathMass]

I have a poll here on what proper address you give to priests and cardinals. I sometimes find myself being the only one calling a bishop “your excellency” and to a cardinal “your eminence”.

 

[_SunShine]

CathMass:

I have a poll here on what proper address you give to priests and cardinals. I sometimes find myself being the only one calling a bishop “your excellency” and to a cardinal “your eminence”.

That’s what I do.

 

[MusicMan]

It’s my understanding that the proper address for a Bishop is “Your Excellence” and a Cardinal is “Your Eminence.” So, that’s how I address them… well Bishops… I’ve never actually met a Bishop who was also a Cardinal (I met Cardinal Maida back when he was Bishop Maida of Green Bay).

 

[Pious]

In most of the British isles a Bishop is addressed as ‘My Lord’ and the Archbishop is addressed as ‘Your Grace’.

My Bishop insists on being addressed as Father or just plain Bishop

 

[Andreas_Hofer]

I answered the first three, since I would call my bishop “Your Excellency,” a cardinal “Your Eminence,” and a British archbishop or Eastern bishop “Your Grace.”

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Usually I would address him as Your Excellency upon meeting him. Then address him as* Sir* in any extended conversation.

 

[Rebecca_New]

When our Bishop was introduced I think they said His Excellency, Bishop Mancell. Then in conversation it was Bishop Mancell. I have not met our new Bishop, but I would say, His Excellency, Bishop Kimiec.

 

[Matthew_P_Baldw]

Hello Everyone,

This is how it goes in Australia,

Bishop and Archbishop: Your (or His) Grace
Cardinal: Your (or His) Eminence or Excellency

I think we do it a British way here in Australia

God Bless

Matthew Baldwin

 

[Maureen_Fiore]

I would address our Bishop as “Your Excellency” and a Cardinal as “Your Eminence” and the Pope as “Your Holiness”. Unfortunately I never met a Cardinal or the Pope. I went to Giants Stadium when Pope John Paul II came to the US. We were in the nose bleed section but I felt really inspired knowing that I was in his Holiness’s presence. All we saw was a white dot among many colors and I was so happy just to be there and for the mass that the Pope said.

 

[Brain]

My archbishop or other bishop: Your excellency, Archbishop if we speak long enough to have him ask to be called that.

My auxilliary bishops: the first time I met them i called them, “your excellence”, but i have actually got to know one of them (one of the perks of discerning a vocation, the auxilliary runs the vocations meetings and its a group of 6 men) and so by his request i just use “bishop” and the other is pretty humble and prefers “bishop” if that. then i use sir or eye contact in extended conversations.

never met a cardinal, but would use “your eminence”

 

[Mordocai]

I am actually decent friends with one of my dioceses bishops, so I just say to him, “hey bishop (name)!”
but the only times i see him are when i go to visit him and ‘the rest of the gang’
He lives in a discernment house with the vocation director and some other seminarians (most of which are from other countries)
so, me and the Bishop there are friends, but i think he wouldnt want me addressing him as “your excellency, please pass the salt” you know?

Mordo

 

[puzzleannie]

he told us to call him “Bishop” so that is how we address him.

 

[Trevelyan]

Matthew P Baldw:

Hello Everyone,

This is how it goes in Australia,

Bishop and Archbishop: Your (or His) Grace
Cardinal: Your (or His) Eminence or Excellency

I think we do it a British way here in Australia

God Bless

Matthew Baldwin

Actually, as far as I know in Australia it goes:

Bishop: My Lord/His Lordship
Archbishop: Your/His Grace
Cardinal: Your/His Eminence

But ususaly “Bishop N.” is most common.

 

[Elzee]

I personally prefer Your Excellency or Your Grace, but we’re told by our priest to call him ‘Bishop’ so that’s what I do. Not sure which he prefers…I’ve only talked to him a few times and never thought to ask - next time I will!

 

[LeahInancsi]

You left off “never addressed a Bishop”.

I doubt I ever will, but I should know how to address him in the event that I do get to meet him.