MSGR

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Can someone help me out here?How does a Priest become Msgr..I have seen some young Priests with the title Msgr,and most Priests do not have that title. Thanks,David

-- David Sullivan (asdzxc8176@aol.com), August 12, 2001

Answers

Jmj

Hi, David.
The title, "Monsignor," is an honorary one that does not confer greater authority. According to what I have read, the pope names monsignors, usually based on the recommendation of their bishops (who may want to honor priests for length of service, for some especially difficult task carried out, etc.).
These men can be addressed as "Monsignor" or "Father," and they are entitled to wear a little red trim on their black clerical attire.
God bless you.
JFG

-- (jgecik@amdg.ihs), August 12, 2001.


John,Thanks for the help once again. God Bless You,David

-- David Sullivan (asdzxc8176@aol.com), August 12, 2001.

Dear John, I thought the title of Msgr. was passe and now the Church uses Right Reverand? If not, where does Right Reverand fit in? Ellen

-- Ellen K. Hornby (dkh@canada.com), August 14, 2001.

Jmj

Thanks for that good question, Ellen.

When I said that a monsignor "can be addressed as 'Monsignor' or 'Father,'" I had in mind "spoken address" -- used in conversation with or about that man.

You have reminded me that more formal forms of address are used in the U.S. when writing to a monsignor (who is also known as a "domestic prelate"). [There may be further differences in British Commonwealth nations.]
The envelope and heading of a letter should refer to "The Right Reverend Monsignor John R. Smith" (abbreviated "The Rt. Rev. Msgr. John R. Smith"). Then the formal greeting/salutation in a letter would be "Right Reverend and dear Monsignor Smith."

Forms of address are very similar for an abbot: "The Right Reverend John R. Smith, O.S.B. / Abbot of ___" and "Right Reverend and dear Father John" (or Dear Father Abbot John).
For a Catholic (arch)bishop: "The Most Reverend John R. Smith / (Arch)bishop of ___" and "Your Excellency."
But for an Episcopalian/Anglican bishop, it's more like a Catholic monsignor! ... "The Right Reverend John R. Smith / Bishop of ___" and "Right Reverend Sir."
For a cardinal: "His Eminence John Cardinal Smith" and "Your Eminence."
For the pope: "His Holiness Pope ___" and "Your Holiness" (or "Most Holy Father").

By the way, there are many monsignors in the U.S.. I don't know about other nations. (I have heard of the title "Monsignor" being used by some bishops overseas.)

St. James, pray for us.
God bless you.
John


-- (jgecik@amdg.ihs), August 14, 2001.


Dear John, Thank you for clearing that up as after I read the other post I thought I had been addressing letters to my brother incorrectly all this time---what a snafu that would have been. My brother is in Africa so I guess at least some overseas are addressed as "Right Reverand." Ellen

-- Ellen K. Hornby (dkh@canada.com), August 14, 2001.


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