The Liberal "Ex" Priest as politician

[Yeoman]

My Congressional district has a fellow running for Congress (he’s run unsuccessfully for office before) who is an aging “former” Catholic Priest. Indeed, he was a Priest in my parish when, some 20 or so odd years ago, he left the Priesthood to get married to a woman he met when he’d been an overseas missionary.

Now, I understand that being ordained operates to make a fundamental change in the nature of a person such that they’re Priests forever. Not only in this life, but the next. Indeed, I hears a seminarian interviewed on Catholic Answers the other day who noted that Priests will still be Priests in “Heaven, or in Hell”. Sobering thought indeed.

Anyhow, this fellow is campaigning as a Democrat on the left side of the Democratic house. I don’t know his position on life issues, but I do know that he’s out of sink with the Church on marriage issues.

So, here’s my silly question. Should he show up where I am, for any reason, how do I address him? “Father”?

 

[Jean_Anthony]

Please don’t discuss the political side of this thread, only the question of how to address a former priest. Thank you all.

 

[porthos11]

My Congressional district has a fellow running for Congress (he’s run unsuccessfully for office before) who is an aging “former” Catholic Priest. Indeed, he was a Priest in my parish when, some 20 or so odd years ago, he left the Priesthood to get married to a woman he met when he’d been an overseas missionary.

Now, I understand that being ordained operates to make a fundamental change in the nature of a person such that they’re Priests forever. Not only in this life, but the next. Indeed, I hears a seminarian interviewed on Catholic Answers the other day who noted that Priests will still be Priests in “Heaven, or in Hell”. Sobering thought indeed.

Anyhow, this fellow is campaigning as a Democrat on the left side of the Democratic house. I don’t know his position on life issues, but I do know that he’s out of sink with the Church on marriage issues.

So, here’s my silly question. Should he show up where I am, for any reason, how do I address him? “Father”?

“Mister Lastname” for the respectful manner.
“Firstname” for the familiar manner.

Titles of address are not a consequence of Holy Orders; they are a consequence of the clerical state, which is a juridical status, not an ontological one. A priest who loses the clerical state also loses all privileges attached to it, including titles. He is not entitled to the title “Father”.

 

[Trader]

“Mister Lastname” for the respectful manner.
“Firstname” for the familiar manner.

Titles of address are not a consequence of Holy Orders; they are a consequence of the clerical state, which is a juridical status, not an ontological one. A priest who loses the clerical state also loses all privileges attached to it, including titles. He is not entitled to the title “Father”.

I think you have it 100% correct. I used to know a lot of men who have left the priesthood, but have not seen them since then. If you look on diocesan web sites for priests with credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors, it may say that even while they are suspended pending a final decision, they are not permitted to use the titles “Reverend” or “Father.”

 

[JimG]

Since he’s running a Congressional campaign, if you meet him in the process of campaigning, he’d probably be happy if you just called him “Charlie.”

 

[Lormar]

Since he’s running a Congressional campaign, if you meet him in the process of campaigning, he’d probably be happy if you just called him “Charlie.”

I don’t know whether you meant your post to be funny, but I laughed.

 

[Yeoman]

I think you have it 100% correct. I used to know a lot of men who have left the priesthood, but have not seen them since then. If you look on diocesan web sites for priests with credible accusations of sexual abuse of minors, it may say that even while they are suspended pending a final decision, they are not permitted to use the titles “Reverend” or “Father.”

Thanks.

 

[L_Marshall]

“Mister Lastname” for the respectful manner.
“Firstname” for the familiar manner.

Titles of address are not a consequence of Holy Orders; they are a consequence of the clerical state, which is a juridical status, not an ontological one. A priest who loses the clerical state also loses all privileges attached to it, including titles. He is not entitled to the title “Father”.

This is correct. Typically when laicization takes place, the priest receives a letter informing him of the decision, and listing these details (not being allowed to use clerical titles, not being entitled to clerics dress, etc.).

 

[Yeoman]

He lost in the primary, so now it would appear not to matter.