The pope should ban this..?

[LoveandMercy]

Lately in my parish i notice this mayor is getting a lot of recognition and they address her as ‘Lord Mayor …’ even writing it in magazines etc… i really think this is a great sin even using that name for a human… Should I speak up on my opinion to the parish and what is your opinion on banning the word ‘Lord’ before normal human beings names?

 

[CatholicGeek1]

Lately in my parish i notice this mayor is getting a lot of recognition and they address her as ‘Lord Mayor …’ even writing it in magazines etc… i really think this is a great sin even using that name for a human… Should I speak up on my opinion to the parish and what is your opinion on banning the word ‘Lord’ before normal human beings names?

Lord is a pretty common term of honor. I don’t see any problem with it. Jesus is the highest of Lords, the Lord of Lords, but I don’t think that precludes giving the title of Lord to someone else.

 

[LoveandMercy]

Using the name Lord to me is actually idiotic and only leads to sins such as pride, and thinking theyre superior to you… name of honor should not apply especially in the catholic church

 

[porthos11]

Using the name Lord to me is actually idiotic and only leads to sins such as pride, and thinking theyre superior to you… name of honor should not apply especially in the catholic church

Lord is properly and primarily a human term, not a divine one. We applied it to God first of all in continuity with the Jews having called their God adonai, in recognition of his sovereignty, but they were applying a human concept to God just as we do. Second, they also replaced the pronounced the word adonai where the written word was God’s holy Name, the tetragrammaton which was deemed too holy to pronounce, and is now rendered as LORD in the Old Testament. It was a substitute for the Holy Name, but was not inherently holy by itself. In fact LORD was used because it was LESS holy than the Name itself.

Even the Catholic Church itself, when a Pope is announced, it’s always “Lord N., Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church who takes to himself the name…”

In England, Lord Mayor is a proper term for the mayor. If Christ is Lord of lords, there by definition has to be lower levels of lords.

A key principle of Christian charity. Accuse no one of sin where none exists.

 

[Bonnie]

I thought Lord This & Lord That was pretty common in England. I should think you’d be used to it - unless you just moved there.

 

[CatholicGeek1]

Using the name Lord to me is actually idiotic and only leads to sins such as pride, and thinking theyre superior to you… name of honor should not apply especially in the catholic church

So if names of honor should not apply in the Church should we no longer refer to the Pope as His Holiness, or cardinals as your Eminence, or Bishops as Your Grace? These are all honorary titles that are given to reflect the persons position.

Only someone over the top arrogant could think that being called Lord because they are the mayor makes people think that they are higher than Christ.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

If we got rid of the word Lord to refer to human beings pretty soon we would need another word to translate the Greek Kyrie and the Latin Dominus.

Of course, if this mayor is a “she” it’s absurd to call her Lord Mayor rather than Lady Mayor, but that’s another subject.

Certainly there is a danger of pride with these sorts of titles. That’s part of why we Americans got ride of them (the association with the condemned idea of inheritance of titles was another reason). Then again there is something to be said for vesting important positions of authority in a kind of majesty, so long as this remains firmly rooted in a republican spirit of government. Even in our country we chose classic titles like Senator or British Parliamentary terms like Speaker for some roles, and the office of President has evolved its own proper dignity.

However, you Brits have kept alive many of the old Medieval terms, and I don’t think this is the right hour to do away with them. Our culture has become so forgetful and dismissive of the past that reminders of continuity, even if they are silly things like titles of nobility and related terms like “Lord Mayor,” are very valuable. As I’ve mentioned it also keeps these old terms alive for the entire English-speaking world, avoiding the awkward problem of having to consider whether it is time to start referring to “Governor God” instead of “Lord God” or “Christ the President” instead of “Christ the King.”

 

[The_Scott]

Using the name Lord to me is actually idiotic and only leads to sins such as pride, and thinking theyre superior to you… name of honor should not apply especially in the catholic church

Fun fact: the title “Don” (short for Latin dominus [lord]) is given to diocesan priests in Italy. Much like how, in English speaking countries, we call priests “Father.” So, in Italy, calling a priest “Don Pietro” literally means “Lord Peter.”

I honestly think, if you think calling people Don, Lord, etc, idiot, then you are honestly using the same rhetoric that Protestants accuse Catholics in calling priests Father.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Isn’t “Monsignor” = “my lord?”

 

[Anthony_V]

Using the name Lord to me is actually idiotic and only leads to sins such as pride, and thinking theyre superior to you… name of honor should not apply especially in the catholic church

Monsignor is an Italian derivative of the French “mon seigneur”, meaning “my Lord”.

 

[Anthony_V]

Isn’t “Monsignor” = “my lord?”

I was so totally going to post this…
It’s an Italian derivative of the French phrase, “mon seigneur”, meaning “my Lord”.

 

[edward_george]

Isn’t “Monsignor” = “my lord?”

Yeah, I was about to say that. The word “Lord” as applied to people is actually a fairly common ecclesiastical title. I think it’s presumptuous to say that those who are given that title (who do not bestow it upon themselves, and thus must be humble enough to accept when they have been given some honor by the Church) are prone to pride. Some of the Bishops (who can be addressed as “monsignor” or "Lord, depending on the country) and Monsignori I know are the holiest men I’ve ever met, so a mere title doesn’t automatically mean someone is prideful.

-ACEGC

 

[twf]

Yes, as other posters have pointed out, the title Lord have never exclusively applied to God. It is simply a title of honor indicating someone in authority. In the context of the Church, I think it is especially appropriate to address bishops as “my lord” (which they are, or by various variations thereof, in a number of cultures/countries) as the bishop presides over the local church as a representative of Christ the Lord of Lords. Bishops, by virtue of their high priesthood, are given a share in the lordship of Christ. Scripture teaches us that all of us are a royal priesthood (1 Pet 2:9) and co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17), and this is even more true of bishops. Do any of deserve the title lord? No, but by His grace Our Lord chooses to share His lordship and glory with us…that’s the great mystery of our salvation…the Second Person of the Trinity assumed our human nature in order to raise our lowly nature to share in His own Divine Lordship (see 2 Peter 1:4 - by virtue of the sacraments we become partakers of the Divine Nature.

In a secular context it is also appropriate as all of those in authority derive their authority from God - the Lord of Lords.

 

[LoveandMercy]

Thanks for all your artifacts and that hahaha, but still referring to a comment above iv never called a bishop your eminence or anything… i used to avoid calling priests father till lately to be honest, the only reason im pointing these things out is it can be confusing to people who are beginners etc… i dont even basically care what mayors do theyre all corrupt… all titles of ‘honor’ are just stupid as far as i see, and the point that catholics acknowledge these titles is even beyond me as the main point in life is to love and serve God, not get caught up in the earthiness and justification of these names… most people on here quite simply seem to like the title of it, i recognize everything you pointed out… someone said Christ is Lord of lords … does that all of a sudden put those other ‘lords’ on a pedestal? hmm i know its a small matter not much to worry on but definitely something that doesnt put a smile on Jesus face

 

[Bonnie]

all titles of ‘honor’ are just stupid as far as i see, and the point that catholics acknowledge these titles is even beyond me as the main point in life is to love and serve God, not get caught up in the earthiness and justification of these names…

Many of our customary forms of address are of long standing. “Mister” comes from “master;” “Mrs.” from “mistress.” And so on. Perhaps you would be happier as a Quaker?

It is not the ones who replied that got “caught up in the earthiness and justification of these names” but you who are offended by their use for no logical reason.

One thing you didn’t explain in your OP; how would the Pope enforce such a ban on non-Catholics? You seem upset because you believe people were laughing at you. If the Pope tried to do something so silly, he would be laughed at.**

 

[LilyM]

If we got rid of the word Lord to refer to human beings pretty soon we would need another word to translate the Greek Kyrie and the Latin Dominus.

Of course, if this mayor is a “she” it’s absurd to call her Lord Mayor rather than Lady Mayor, but that’s another subject.

Certainly there is a danger of pride with these sorts of titles. That’s part of why we Americans got ride of them (the association with the condemned idea of inheritance of titles was another reason). Then again there is something to be said for vesting important positions of authority in a kind of majesty, so long as this remains firmly rooted in a republican spirit of government. Even in our country we chose classic titles like Senator or British Parliamentary terms like Speaker for some roles, and the office of President has evolved its own proper dignity.

However, you Brits have kept alive many of the old Medieval terms, and I don’t think this is the right hour to do away with them. Our culture has become so forgetful and dismissive of the past that reminders of continuity, even if they are silly things like titles of nobility and related terms like “Lord Mayor,” are very valuable. As I’ve mentioned it also keeps these old terms alive for the entire English-speaking world, avoiding the awkward problem of having to consider whether it is time to start referring to “Governor God” instead of “Lord God” or “Christ the President” instead of “Christ the King.”

Well, aren’t all titles potentially tempting to pride? I’m sure plenty of people would get just the same sinfully prideful boost to the ego out of being called ‘President’ or ‘Senator’ or ‘CEO’ or ‘Governor’ or ‘Judge’ or ‘Sergeant’ or ‘Doctor’ or ‘Officer’ (as one would address a Police Officer) as ‘Lord’ or ‘Lady’.

 

[oldcatholicguy]

OP,

Is it not also prideful to declare what is a sin (“I really think this is a great sin”), presume to know the sinfulness of others (“thinking they’re superior to you”, " i dont even basically care what mayors do they’re all corrupt"), and think yourself a valid authority to offer your opinions on theology to your priest (“Should I speak up on my opinion to the parish”)?

 

[LilyM]

OP,

Is it not also prideful to declare what is a sin (“I really think this is a great sin”), presume to know the sinfulness of others (“thinking they’re superior to you”, " i dont even basically care what mayors do they’re all corrupt"), and think yourself a valid authority to offer your opinions on theology to your priest (“Should I speak up on my opinion to the parish”)?

This too.

And another thought - why would ‘Lord Mayor’ be any more pride-inducing than simply ‘Mayor’? Or any other word you choose (and you do need to choose something unique) to call whatever person does the job of a Mayor? The power and prestige of the job are what induces the pride, after all, regardless of what the person is called.

 

[LoveandMercy]

Let the earthly have the titles if they wanna get caught up in the world of titles just so other people look at them differently, whats more important is you cant show any of that in heaven so therefore with the only real catholic church promoting the use of these names i think thats going in to the side of corrupt, and popes wouldnt be laughed at if they thought it was sin at all after all he is infallible to catholics… some of you are really looking for the down fall of me hahaha saying such things like ‘who are you to point out sinful ness’ … how do you know who i am after all??? its funny because imagine Jesus spoke through someone or say jesus or an angel come in the appearance of someone else and you would argue against it especially for a pointless earthly title anyway…

 

[LilyM]

Let the earthly have the titles if they wanna get caught up in the world of titles just so other people look at them differently, whats more important is you cant show any of that in heaven so therefore with the only real catholic church promoting the use of these names i think thats going in to the side of corrupt, and popes wouldnt be laughed at if they thought it was sin at all after all he is infallible to catholics… some of you are really looking for the down fall of me hahaha saying such things like ‘who are you to point out sinful ness’ … how do you know who i am after all??? its funny because imagine Jesus spoke through someone or say jesus or an angel come in the appearance of someone else and you would argue against it especially for a pointless earthly title anyway…

How exactly is the Catholic Church ‘promoting’ the use of these titles? Have they recently declared it a sin to fail to address the mayor as ‘Lord Mayor’ or something?

You do realise, do you not, that many non-Catholics have exactly the same problem with the fact that we call priests ‘Father’, the Pope ‘Holiness’ and the like? Are you suggesting that we do away with any and all such titles?