What, exactly, is a Monsignor, and what is his role in the Church?

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I’ve always understood a Monsignor as higher than a priest but lower than a Bishop in the hierarchy. What role does a Monsignor play? What exactly does he do that is different than what a priest does?
 
Its not a position, its simply an honorific like “Mr.” or “Father” or “Doctor” or “Reverend”. It literally means “My Lord”. In English, “Monsignor” is used to address priests who have been made honorary members of the papal household…its just a special recognition of their service as priests. They may serve in various capacities…even as parish pastors. In some places, the Vicar General (deputy) of the Bishop is also automatically addressed as “monsignor”.

In the Romance Languages, all bishops can also be addressed as “Monsignor”.
 
I’m too tired to look this up, but I read at one time that there are no new designations of Monsignor being granted, or awarded. Whether this practice began with Pope Francis or an earlier Pope, I don’t know.

The only parish priest of my teen years was made a monsignor, Monsignor Henry F Ward, RIP. He was an older, devoted priest, our pastor, and all-around Miracle Man, much loved among our parishioners. He and some other, older, diocesan priests frequently met with our bishop in an advisory capacity, but I don’t know how many of the other committee members were monsignors.

@JanR: Thank you, OP, for bringing back some wonderful memories!
 
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I also note that the Holy Father restricted who could be raised to the dignity of ‘Monsignor’.

The new regulations mean that only priest-diplomats (representing the Holy See) or priests 65 (?) years or older may be appointed.

They’re also allowed to have a purple fascia and purple piping on their cassock, a different shade to that of bishops (which is technically red but looks purple).
 
I do remember that Monsignor Ward’s garments changed, but I was in my early twenties then, and have forgotten most of the details. I believe that he wore a particularly designed beanie, too, but I don’t recall what it looked like, with certainty.
 
Minks said:
I’m too tired to look this up, but I read at one time that priests are no new designations of Monsignor are being granted, or awarded. Whether this practice began with Pope Francis or an earlier Pope, I don’t know.
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That’s not true any more. Philly archdiocese got a bunch of new Monsignors a year or two ago. My understanding is that Pope Francis suspended granting of the title to diocesan priests for a couple years and then started again with the over-65 restriction the other poster mentioned.
 
I’m truly delighted to hear that others will also be so honored. I’ve only personally known eight monsignors, and only two of them fairly well. However, all seemed to have an aura emanating specialness, if not holiness. It likely sounds crazy, but there sometimes seemed to be a “stand-still electric quality” in the air surrounding them. All had been long-time priests and seemed most deserving of the higher deference shown to them as monsignors. I’m so glad to hear that!
 
In olden times, any priest with connections to Rome who did his job well was likely to become Monsignor. I have only known one in my life personally, and that was back in the 60s when the pastor of my childhood parish was one. But if you look at old tombstones of priests there are lots of Monsignors from pre-Vatican II, and relatively few after.
 
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twf said:
In the Romance Languages, all bishops can also be addressed as “Monsignor”.
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In some Romance languages, I think, but not in others. In Portuguese, monsenhor is an honorific title conferred on certain priests, just as it is in English.
 
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Prior to the early 1970s there were at least 8 ranks of monsignors. The pope reduced it to 3, now I think there’s only one rank. But it really means nothing much, except on rare liturgical occasions.

Otherwise a monsignor doesn’t outrank a priest who isn’t one. The gradual eliminating of monsignor title kind of goes along with eliminating the Minor Orders in the Latin Rite.

The Church is focusing more on the sacrament itself: Deacon, priest. Bishop. We live in a time of blurred roles and confusion. An earlier era could handle the extra stuff but maybe we can’t.
 
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JanR said:
I’ve always understood a Monsignor as higher than a priest but lower than a Bishop in the hierarchy. What role does a Monsignor play? What exactly does he do that is different than what a priest does?
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In 2014 H.H Pope Francis announced he would not name monsignors for priests under age sixty-five unless they work for certain ministries of the Holy See. It is a title of honor.
 
commenter said:
Prior to the early 1970s there were at least 8 ranks of monsignors. The pope reduced it to 3, now I think there’s only one rank. But it really means nothing much, except on rare liturgical occasions.

Otherwise a monsignor doesn’t outrank a priest who isn’t one. The gradual eliminating of monsignor title kind of goes along with eliminating the Minor Orders in the Latin Rite.

The Church is focusing more on the sacrament itself: Deacon, priest. Bishop. We live in a time of blurred roles and confusion. An earlier era could handle the extra stuff but maybe we can’t.
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Actually, there continue to be three ranks of monsignor, i.e., chaplain to His Holiness, prelate of honor, protonotary apostolic. Each monsignor is one of these.

The simplification of ranks has nothing to do with minor orders, or their suppression. These events occurred separately. They depend greatly on the personal preferences of individual popes, and individual bishops, as they submit priests’ names to Rome as candidates for monsignor. Some bishops stopped creating, or never started creating monsignori, while others named them left and right.
 
What do they do and why stop having monsignoures but still have canons?
 
Canons are traditionally members of the chapter of the cathedral and have a consultative role in the running of the diocease, similar to the role of the college of cardinals.
 
Thanks for the information.

How would one address a Monsignor? Would we still call him “Father”, or call him “Monsignor”?

Or would we address him along the lines of how we would address a bishop, “Your Excellency”?

Is there a proper way to address a Monsignor?
 
I attend an Ordinariate Mass with the Monsignor as the ex-ordinary, he was supposed to be a bishop, but wasn’t allowed to due to previous marriage. His past roles were to look out for the administration of the entire Ordinariate in Australia, but his current role is to celebrate mass in the parish now.

I will just address as Father or if I want to be more reverent, Monsignor.
 
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