Title of Address

[anon8387311]

As a side note, the first time I was in the company of our archbishop I almost panicked as I had no idea how to assess him, and my mum met the Bishop in the 50s and did this whole kissing the ring thing and I had no idea what to do or say … Thankfully someone enhadw him I. Conversation and while he was distracted I bolted past them through the door. Shame because I would have quite liked to meet him … It’s a minefield sometimes, although having now web searched it appears “Your grace” is adequate. I think he seems a very grounded easy going Bishop but perhaps I’ll give the ring a kiss first time and do the ‘done’ thing until told otherwise.

 

[twf]

I have had friends who attend an FSSP say that it is disrespectful to call a priest “Father First Name”.

This is my issue with some people in the “traditionalist” movement. They take the customary practice of the 1950s and suddenly enshrine it as eternal Catholic tradition. Of course last names as we understand them today didn’t exist for most of Church history.
I’m sure the norms have varied from time to time and place to place, but it is my understanding that the traditional practice of the Latin Church has been to use last names for secular priests and first/profession names for religious priests. A religious would be Father John and a secular priest would be Father Smith.

Of course in some cultures, the honorific “Don” is used to address secular priests with Father reserved for religious priests. Then of course we had Brother JR, a legend of old on this forum, who explained that in his Franciscan tradition even ordained priests are addressed simply as “Brother” unless the superior of the community.
…mileage will vary.

 

[twf]

Proper procedure is to prostrate on the ground three times in quick succession while saying, each time, “My reverend lord Monsignor, I greet thee”. Anything short of this is likely to result in excommunication.

 

[anon8387311]

I’ll certainly remember that for the next time.

 

[Bluebright]

If you are unsure, I’d ask. Especially if you or he are new to the parish. In my parish one priest is a Monsignor and the other a Canon and both introduced themselves to me as Father ‘first name’, so I call them as they have said. Also it was what was written on our parish newsletter.