How to Address a Bishop, and Why That's the Problem

[MineralMan]

During a formal introduction, a Bishop should be introduced as “His Most Reverend Excellency, (First and Last Name), Bishop of (Location).” He should be directly addressed as “Your Excellency” – or, on paper, as “His Excellency, The Most Reverend (First Name and Last Name), Bishop of (Location)”.

https://www.wikihow.com/Address-Catholic-Clergy

High ranking members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy expect to be and are addressed using titles similar to those used with royalty. They demand, and receive, such deference as a matter of course. This is at the core of the Church's problem in society.

Why, here in the United States of America, which has historically shunned royal privilege, do we still offer such titles to religious leaders? Where is the humility of such people?

They demand respect, regardless of their actions. I say we should refuse to offer such respect in addressing them or in making reference to their titular status.

I'm not seeing much "Excellency" in that hierarchy these days.

[stonecutter357]

1. How to Address a Bishop? Stay the hell away from MY Family !

his most reverend excellency, LOL !

[Iggo]

2. How's it going, Bishop?

Best I can do, and he'd better be glad I wasn't doing my worst.

[MineralMan]

3. In response, he gives you a frown and a stony stare.

They're not used to such disrespect, you see.

[Lordquinton]

4. So you're saying

that when you don't g out of your way to be polite and put them on a pedestal above you, then you're being impolite?

Why does that sound familiar?

[MineralMan]

5. Yes, that's about it.

Lèse-majesté. People in power who shouldn't be always seem to need that. Here's a fun image to illustrate that crime. We should all study it, and be guilty of it whenever the arrogance of power is discovered:

[Lordquinton]

13. His pants meld straight into his flesh

It's like how respect differing between treat me as authority, or I won't treat you like a person.

[Igel]

6. Lots of people demand respect, regardless of their actions.

Still, we call people "Mr.", "Mrs.", "Miss" or "Ms." + surname on a consistent basis, regardless ... of their actions.

Few strangers would have addressed a letter to the White House in 2015, "How's it hanging, Barry" or "Hey, Barackarama". They'd have used the cold, formal, alienating, "Dear President Obama" and, in public, have called him "Mr. President". Because he's so lofty and superior to us mere mortals, he's addressed not by name but by his august title. Almost like he's royalty. Not. It's a formality that we observe to make note of formal differences.

For the most part, that's not a problem, when it's a bishop or when it's a president. Once past the formalities, there is the informality. Even the NYT let down its formality level to refer to him as "Mr. Obama". I note that blockquote has all the folderol "during a formal introduction", which is where you'd expect formalities. Addressing him as "your excellency" is about like "Mr. President." Same number of syllables, even. And "excellency" has about as much semantic connection to "excellence" as "president" does to "preside."

[MineralMan]

7. What I've noticed is that some people in high positions are

sticklers for formality. Others are not. The first group will be openly offended if not afforded the honorific forms of address they think they're entitled to. The second group won't care. I prefer people who are in the second group, generally.

Most people almost never encounter people who require such forms of address. Others encounter them on a regular basis. It's not the formal titles that matter; it is the expectations of those who have those titles. Those who insist on being addressed formally are generally people who are in roles they are ill-qualified to serve, I've found.

[gtar100]

8. I could not get myself to address them that way without being sarcastic.

There are people I respect but to call any "your Excellency"? Hahaha... what a crock of shit. If they really want that title, they better earn it. Start by turning over to the police the priests and bishops who sexually abuse children. That would be a good first step on a road to excellence.

[MineralMan]

9. I can't disagree with you on that.

Thanks.

[Iggo]

12. Yep.

What's so excellent about protecting people who fuck children?

That's not excellent at all.

[Voltaire2]

10. "Shame on you".

I’ve heard that is becoming the popular way to address a bishop these days.

[MineralMan]

11. Yes. I'm applauding that guy today!

I wish I'd have been there. I'd have joined him.