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What should we call the priest?
Topic Started: Thursday, 3. November 2011, 18:41 (579 Views)
James
James
However to get to the central issue of "Father" being applied , I was always under the impression that hierarchy did not exist in these matters.
The pope hearing the confession being addressed as "father" is but one example.

So, perhaps, here, we are not addressing the priest as father, but ,really,speaking to God the Father through the priest and vice- versa .

When a priest or bishop comes to administer the last rights for example - we say "thank you father for coming"
But the priest who is also, most likely carrying the blessed sacrament is acting as an agent and we are really sayng " thank you father for coming" to God the Father who is in the personage of the blessed sacrament and through the priest.

So you may not be addressing the priest at all in this term whe he is acting within his duty.

Socially, it is different.
Edited by James, Saturday, 5. November 2011, 14:23.
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Rose of York
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Patrick
Saturday, 5. November 2011, 13:42
Familiarity can often breed contempt.
I use first names for people whom I have special respect, they are friends, neighbours, shopkeepers, respected because they behave nicely and are good citizens. They use my Christian name. It is possible to always use a person's title of Doctor, Mister, Father, Professor, whilst loathing the very air they breathe.

Any person who merits respect will have it.
Keep the Faith!

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tomais

For all of those here who are insular and thus unfamiliar with that Scottish form of intimate familiar form of address-" Jock Tampsons bairns" --
Hre it is;
" Hi Jimmy"!
Again for those who are confined to Englandshire barracks-there is a hat to go with it!
Other than that one should , irrspective of minor opinion-know respect for the profession.
Try it with H.M.Majesty!
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Deacon Robert
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Hi Tomais,

I think I'll try it on my Bishop. I missed last night's confirmation due to my wife's illness.
Bishop: good evening Deacon.
Me: Hi Jimmy, ows it goin?

Should be good!!!!
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne

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Deacon Robert
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In this discussion I have to go with my upbringing. I have never addressed anyone by their christian name without their express permission. I address people as sir, mam, Mr, mrs,miss, or ms if I don't know them. There are many people I think of as cousin, aunt,or uncle due to their closeness to my family or age. They may not be due the honor on their own, but I give them honor because they are in the image and likeness of G_d
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne

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Rose of York
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Deacon Robert, in my experience Americans come high on the courtesy stakes. They are more likely than British people to address others as Sir or Ma'am. If a young American addresses me as Ma'am I am not surprised, and I like it. Here it is an unusual form of address.
Keep the Faith!

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pat
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Penfold, I'm sorry, maybe I should have used the term "asked" rather than insisted. My point was that it is courteous to always listen to what the other person prefers to be addressed as. I am addressed as Pat by friends, Tricia by family; on the rare occasions I have been called Patsy or Patty, I have been swift in nipping that in the bud - sharpish! :nono:
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CARLO
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pat
Saturday, 5. November 2011, 23:52
Penfold, I'm sorry, maybe I should have used the term "asked" rather than insisted. My point was that it is courteous to always listen to what the other person prefers to be addressed as. I am addressed as Pat by friends, Tricia by family; on the rare occasions I have been called Patsy or Patty, I have been swift in nipping that in the bud - sharpish! :nono:
May I call you Patricia?


:angel:

Pax


CARLO
Judica me Deus
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pat
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Yes, Carlo, you can call me Patricia - but I'll probably think I'm about to be told off! :angel:
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Rose of York
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If we had women bishops would the correct term of addrss be Your Ladyship?

Keep the Faith!

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OsullivanB

Of course. Just as High Court Judges are My Lord and My Lady, though there was some controversy about whether the first woman appointed to that Court should be addressed as My Lord.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Emee
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That's interesting.

A Chairman is a Chairman whether male or female.

Although Governors at our schools prefer, without exception, to use the term "Chair" when referring to their respective Chair of Governors or Chair of various Governing Body Committees. It is the same with our local councillors when it comes to Full Council or Council Committees. I have never heard the term "Chairman" used, ever, even though I have been advised that that is the correct mode of address.

Not that it makes a jot of difference to me, but it's just interesting, that's all.
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CARLO
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pat
Saturday, 12. November 2011, 20:10
Yes, Carlo, you can call me Patricia - but I'll probably think I'm about to be told off! :angel:
Thank you Patricia.

What a delightful name!

:angel:

Pax tecum
Peace be with thee

CARLO
Edited by CARLO, Thursday, 1. December 2011, 00:43.
Judica me Deus
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Deacon Robert
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Pat, I agree with you. If I was getting it from my Step mom, Robert or Robert Marcel was the first step. If the fertilizer really hit the fan the ultimate was Marcel Robert and to add my family name (as if it was a bad thing). Didn't mean much to me except I knew life was not going to be good and how bad it was going to get.
The burden of life is from ourselves, its lightness from the grace of Christ and the love of God. - William Bernard Ullanthorne

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