Ecclesiastical titles and styles

Last updated February 11, 2025

Ecclesiastical titles are the formal styles of address used for members of the clergy.

Catholic Church

Latin Church clergy

Pope: Pope (Regnal Name); His Holiness; Your Holiness; Holy Father.

Patriarch of an autonomous/particular church: Patriarch (Given Name); His Beatitude; Your Beatitude.

Cardinal: Cardinal (Full Name);^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5] His Eminence ; Your Eminence.

Cardinal who is also an archbishop: Cardinal (Full Name), Archbishop of (Place); His Eminence; Your Eminence.

Archbishop: The Most Reverend (Full Name), (any postnominals), Archbishop of (Place); bishops in the U.S. commonly indicate their terminal degree(s) as postnominals, e.g., J.C.D. or S.T.D., or Ph.D. or D.D.; His Excellency ; Your Excellency. Titular archbishops almost never indicate their respective sees in their titles.^[6]

Bishop: The Most Reverend (Full Name), (any postnominals), Bishop of (Place); Pontiff of (Place); The term Pontiff is most often used in relation to the Pontiff of Rome, however it can be used to refer to any bishop; Bishops in the U.S. commonly indicate their terminal degree(s) as postnominals, e.g., J.C.D., S.T.D., or Ph.D. or D.D.; His Excellency ; Your Excellency. Titular bishops almost never indicate their respective sees in their titles.

Abbot: The Right Reverend (Full Name), (any religious order's postnominals); The Right Reverend Abbot; Abbot (Given Name); Abbot (Surname); Dom (Given Name); Father (Given Name). The custom for address depends on personal custom and custom in the abbey.

Abbess, Prioress, or other superior of a religious order of women or a province thereof: The Reverend Mother (Full Name), (any religious order's postnominals); Mother (Given Name). The title of women religious superiors varies greatly, and the custom of a specific order should be noted.

Protonotary Apostolic, Honorary Prelate, or Chaplain of His Holiness: The Reverend Monsignor (Full Name); Monsignor (Surname). The postnominals P.A. are often added for protonotaries apostolic. Postnominals are rarely added for honorary prelates or chaplains of His Holiness.

Vicar General: The Very Reverend (Full Name), V.G.; The Reverend (Full Name), V.G.; Father (Surname).

Judicial Vicar, Ecclesiastical Judge, Episcopal Vicar, Vicar Forane, Dean, Provincial Superior, or Rector: The Very Reverend (Full Name); Father (Surname).

Prior, both superiors of or in monasteries, or of provinces or houses of a religious order: The Very Reverend (Full Name), (any religious order's postnominals); Father (Surname).

Pastor of a parish, Parochial Vicar, Chaplain, or Priest: The Reverend (Full Name); Father (Surname).

Permanent Deacon: Reverend Mr. (Surname) (formal)"; "The Reverend Deacon (Full Name); Deacon (Surname); Deacon (Given Name) (informal).

Transitional Deacon, i.e., a deacon who is studying for the priesthood: The Reverend Deacon. (Full Name); Deacon (Full Name); Deacon (Surname).

Brother: Brother (Full Name), (any religious order's postnominals); Brother (Given Name). In some teaching orders Brother (Surname) is customary.

Religious sister or nun: Sister (Full Name), (any religious order's postnominals); Sister (Full Name); Sister (Given Name) (informal).

Candidate for priestly ministry (seminarian): The Reverend Seminarian (Full Name); Mr. (Full Name); Mr. (Surname).

Candidate for diaconal or lay ministry (deacon candidate or lay ecclesial minister candidate): Mr. (Full Name); Mr. (Surname).

United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries

The major difference between U.S. practice and that in several other English-speaking countries is the form of address for archbishops and bishops. In Britain and countries whose Roman Catholic usage it directly influenced:

Archbishop: the Most Reverend (Most Rev.); addressed as Your Grace rather than His Excellency or Your Excellency.
Bishop: "the Right Reverend" (Rt. Rev.); formally addressed as My Lord rather than Your Excellency. This style is an ancient one, and has been used in the western church for more than a thousand years; it corresponds to, but does not derive from, the Italian Monsignore and the French Monseigneur . However, most bishops prefer to be addressed simply as Bishop (Bp.).

In Ireland, and in other countries whose Roman Catholic usage it influenced, all bishops, not archbishops alone, are titled the Most Reverend (Most Rev.).

Clergy are often referred to with the title Doctor (Dr.), or have D.D. (Doctor of Divinity) placed after their name, where justified by their possession of such degree.

Italy

Similar to, and the source of, most of the U.S. English titles, with some variation:

Diocesan priest: The Reverend Lord (Dominus in Latin) (abbreviated as Rev. Do.); Don.
Religious priest: Padre; Father (Fr.).
Religious sister: The Reverend Sister (Rev. Sr.).
(Permanent) Deacon: Deacon (Dcn.).

The Philippines

In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, ecclesiastical addresses are adapted from American custom but with modifications. The titles listed below are only used in the most formal occasions by media or official correspondence, save for the simpler forms of address. Post-nominals that indicate academic degree or membership in a religious order are usually included.

The Pope is always titled "Ang Kanyáng Kabanalan" (Filipino for "His Holiness"). As such, the Pope is styled "Ang Kanyáng Kabanalan Papa Francisco".
A cardinal is formally styled and addressed as "Ang Kanyáng Kabunyian", literally denoting "His Illustriousness" (Philippine English for "His Eminence"). Cardinals are informally addressed as "Cardinal" followed by their names; for example, "Cardinal Juan". Unlike in the United States, Ireland or Commonwealth nations, the name of a cardinal is always inscribed in the formula first name, "Cardinal", and last name; for example, "Juan Cardinal de la Cruz", similar to the syntax in German.
An archbishop is titled "Ang Mahál na Arsobispo" ("His Excellency, the Archbishop"). Archbishops are often addressed as "Archbishop" followed by their names; for example, "Archbishop Juan de la Cruz".
A bishop is titled "Ang Mahál na Obispo" ("His Excellency, the Bishop"), in similar fashion to archbishops, and more commonly as "Ang Lubháng Kagalang-galang" ("The Most Reverend"). Also similar to archbishops, bishops are often addressed as "Bishop" followed by their names; for example, "Bishop Juan de la Cruz".
A monsignor is titled "Reberendo Monsenyor" ("Reverend Monsignor"), although if he holds extra administrative office he is titled according to his office. Vicars general, forane, and episcopal are titled "Very Reverend". Monsignori are colloquially addressed as "Monsignor" (abbreviated as "Msgr."). As defined, the inscribed title is "Monsignor" followed by first and then last name, or "The Reverend Monsignor" followed by first and then last name, while the spoken address is "Monsignor" followed by only last name.^[7]
Priests, both diocesan and those of a religious order, are titled "Reberendo Padre" ("Reverend Father", abbreviated as "Rev. Fr.") before their first and then last names. Priests are colloquially addressed as "Father" (abbreviated as "Fr.") before either their true name or last name, even their nickname. Reverend Father as a full title is similar to Anglican or Eastern Orthodox usage, in contrast to practice in some other English-speaking nations. However, "The Rev." alone before priests' names is usually found in articles sourced from the United States, like the Associated Press (AP), in Philippine newspapers.
A deacon is titled "Reberendo" ("Reverend"); for example, "Reverend Juan de la Cruz". Deacons are rarely titled "Deacon" followed by their names as in the United States, except when addressing them formally. Instead, they are colloquially addressed as "Rev." in contrast to priests who are addressed as "Father".
Consecrated persons:
- Religious sisters are titled "Sister" (abbreviated as "Sr."). Superiors are optionally titled "Mother" (abbreviated as "Mo.") and are usually addressed formally as "Reverend Sister/Mother" (abbreviated as "Rev. Sr./Mo."); for example, "Rev. Sr. Juana de la Cruz, OP" or "Rev. Mo. Juana de la Cruz, OSB". Contemplative nuns are formally and colloquially titled "Sor", a truncation of "Soror", which is Latin for "Sister". Prioresses and abbesses are formally addressed as "Reverend Mother".
- Religious brothers who are not priests are titled "Brother" (abbreviated as "Br."); for example, "Br. Juan de la Cruz, OFM". Having been influenced by the Spaniards, members of mendicant orders may be called "Fray"; for example, "Fray Juan de la Cruz, OSA". Since there are also mendicant orders whose missionaries are from Italy they opt to be addressed as "Fra", a truncation of "Frater", which is Latin for "Brother". Monks are called "'Dom'", an abbreviation of "Dominus" which means "Lord".

Eastern Catholic clergy

Although the styles and titles of Eastern Catholic clergy varies from language to language, in the Greek and Arabic-speaking world the following would be acceptable, but is by no means a full list of appropriate titles. It is notable that surnames are never used except in extra-ecclesial matters or to specify a particular person where many share one Christian name or ordination name. Where not noted, Western titles may be supposed. The following are common in Greek Melkite Catholic usage and in Greek Orthodox usage in the United States.

Archbishop or Bishop: In Arabic, a bishop is titled "Sayedna", while in churches of Syriac tradition he is titled " Mar ". If an Eastern Catholic archbishop or patriarch is made a cardinal he may be addressed as "His Eminence" and "Your Eminence", or the hybrid "His Beatitude and Eminence" and "Your Beatitude and Eminence".
Priest: In Arabic, "Abouna" and in Greek "Pappas".
Deacon: Identical to that of a priest in all ways except sometimes in the use of "Father Deacon" (in Arabic "Abouna Shammas" and in Greek "Pappas Diakonos").
Subdeacon: "Reverend Subdeacon" in inscribed address, and the Christian name with or without "Brother" is usually used, except in some traditions that use "Father Subdeacon". In Arabic, this is confused by "Shammas" being used for both the subdiaconate and the diaconate, the distinction being a "Deacon of the Letter" and a "Deacon of the Gospel" respectively. Often a deacon will be addressed as "Father" and a subdeacon as "Brother" to distinguish them.
Reader: "Reader" or "Brother" depending on the preference of the addresser.
Seminarians: "Brother" and "Brother Seminarian" are the most common titles; the appellations "Father Seminarian" and "Father Student" are used only by rural Greek- and Arabic-speaking laity.
Tonsured persons without a title: "Brother".

Eastern Orthodox Church

An Eastern Orthodox priest blesses his congregation at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Slovo4.jpg — An Eastern Orthodox priest blesses his congregation at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.

Usage varies somewhat throughout the Eastern Orthodox Communion, and not every church uses every clerical rank. Surnames are typically not used for archpastors (rank of bishop or above) or monastics.

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople: Ecumenical Patriarch John II, His All-Holiness, Your All-Holiness
Patriarch: Patriarch John II of Terirem, Patriarch John, His Beatitude, Your Beatitude
- Note: Some Patriarchs use the honorific "His/Your Holiness"
Archbishop / Archiepiscope
- of an independent Church: The Most Reverend (Rev.) Archbishop John of Terirem, Archbishop John
- of a sub-national Church: The Most Reverend (Rev.) Archbishop John of Terirem, Archbishop John, His Eminence, Your Eminence
Metropolitan: The Most Reverend (Rev.) Metropolitan John of Terirem, Metropolitan John, His Eminence, Your Eminence
- Titular Metropolitan: The Most Reverend (Rev.) Metropolitan John of Terirem, His Eminence, Your Eminence
- Note: Some Metropolitans use the style "The Very Most Reverend" (V. Most Rev.)
Bishop / Episcope: The Right Reverend (Rt. Rev.) Bishop John of Terirem, Bishop John, His Grace, Your Grace
- Titular/Auxiliary Bishop: same as for Bishops, above
- Other Languages: Sayedna (Arabic), Despota (Greek), Vladika (Russian, Serbian)
Priest (Presbyter): The Reverend Father (Rev. Fr.) John Smith, Father John
- Protopriest: The Very Reverend (V. Rev.) Protopriest John Smith, Father (Fr.) John
- Archpriest: The Very Reverend (V. Rev.) Archpriest John Smith, Father (Fr.) John
- Archimandrite: The Very Reverend (V. Rev.) Archimandrite John, or The Right Reverend (Rt. Rev.) Archimandrite John, Father John
- Hieromonk (Priest-monk): The Reverend (Rev.) Hieromonk John, Father (Fr.) John
- Other Languages: Abouna (Arabic), Pappas (Greek), Batushka (Russian)
- Priest's Wife: Presbytera Mary (Greek), Khouria Mary (Arabic), Matushka Mary (Russian), Popadiya Mary (Serbian), Panimatushka Mary (Ukrainian), Preoteasa Mary (Romanian)
Deacon: The Reverend Father (Rev. Fr.) John Smith, Deacon (Dn.) John Smith, Father John, Deacon Father (Dn. Fr.) John, Deacon (Dn.) John
- Protodeacon: The Reverend (Rev.) Protodeacon John Smith, Father (Fr.) John, Deacon Father (Dn. Fr.) John, Deacon (Dn.) John
- Archdeacon: The Reverend (Rev.) Archdeacon John Smith, Father (Fr.) John, Deacon Father (Dn. Fr.) John, Deacon (Dn.) John
- Hierodeacon (Deacon-monk): The Reverend (Rev.) Hierodeacon John, Father (Fr.) John
- Deacon's Wife: Diakonissa Mary (Greek), or the same titles as a priest's wife
Abbot: The Right Reverend (Rt. Rev.) Abbot John, Abbot John, Father (Fr.) John
Abbess: The Reverend (Rev.) Mother Superior Mary, The Very Reverend (V. Rev.) Abbess Mary, Reverend Mother Mary, Mother Mary
Monk: Monk John, Father (Fr.) John
- Rassophore Monk: Rassophore Monk John, Father (Fr.) John
- Stavrophore Monk: Stavrophore Monk John, Father (Fr.) John
- Schemamonk: Schemamonk John, Father (Fr.) John
- Novice: Novice John, John; or Brother (Br.) John
  - Note: the title "Brother" is a result of Latin influence; the title is only given to some novices with a special blessing.
Nun: Nun Mary, Mother Mary
- Rassophore Nun: Rassophore Nun Mary, Sister Mary
- Novice: Sister Mary

Lutheran Churches

Archbishops/Presiding Bishops: the Most Reverend (Most Rev.); Archbishop (Abp.; Arch.; Archbp.)/Presiding Bishop (P.B.).
Bishops: Bishop (Bp.); Reverend Bishop (Rev. Bp.); the Right Reverend (Rt. Rev.).; His Excellency ; Your Excellency.
Pastors: the Reverend (Rev.); Pastor (Pr.).^[8]
Kantors: the Reverend Kantor (Rev. Kantor)
Deacons: Deacon (Dcn.).
Vicars: Vicar (Vic.).
Seminarians: the Reverend Seminarian (Rev. Sem.).
Ecclesiastical Doctors (Dr. eccl.),^[9] e.g., Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), Dr. sc. rel. (Doctor of Religious Sciences/Studies), Dr. mph. (Doctor of Christian Metaphysics), Dr. sc. bs. (Doctor of Biblical Studies), et al.: Reverend Doctor.^[10]

Anglican Church

In the Anglican and Episcopal Church, added titles are referred to as "preferments" and are ordered by bishops. Such appointments that place a preferment title in front of "Reverend" are normally a permanent preferment, while those after "Reverend" are not. For example, a bishop or an archdeacon retain their titles even after leaving their ministry posts. Generally, the preferment of "canon", which can be given to either ordained or laity, is not a permanent preferment. However, Bishops have been known to prefer a lifetime honorific of "Canon" to lay canons. For religious orders, all preferments, except that of a mitred abbot, are temporary and associated with the role, not the individual.

Deacons are styled as The Reverend, The Reverend Deacon, or The Reverend Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Mx.^[11]^[a]
Priests are usually styled as The Reverend, The Reverend Father/Mother (even if not a religious; abbreviated Fr/Mthr) or The Reverend Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Mx.
Heads of some women's religious orders are styled as The Reverend Mother (even if not ordained).
Canons are often styled as The Reverend Canon when ordained, or simply The Canon Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Mx when laity.
Deans are usually styled as The Very Reverend .
Archdeacons are usually styled as The Venerable (The Ven).
Priors of monasteries may be styled as The Very Reverend .
Abbots of monasteries may be styled as The Right Reverend .^[12]
Bishops are styled as The Right Reverend or His Lordship .^[13]
Archbishops and primates, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, and (for historical reasons) the Bishop of Meath and Kildare ^[14]^{[ dead link ‍]} are styled as The Most Reverend , and addressed as Your Grace .

Methodism

A Methodist pastor wearing a cassock, vested with a surplice and stole, with preaching bands attached to his clerical collar MethodistPastorvestedwithpreachingbands.jpg — A Methodist pastor wearing a cassock, vested with a surplice and stole, with preaching bands attached to his clerical collar

Deacons, Ordained Elders, and Methodist Licensed Local Pastors are addressed as Reverend, unless they hold a doctorate, in which case they are often addressed in formal situations as The Reverend Doctor. The Reverend, however, is used in more formal or in written communication, in addition to His/Her Reverence or Your Reverence. In informal situations Reverend is used.
Bishops are styled as Bishop or Your Grace .
Religious brothers and sisters are styled as Br. or Sr.; for example, if their name was John Smith and they belonged to a religious order, they would be addressed as Brother John Smith.

References

Footnotes

↑ 'Mx' is pronounced 'Mix' and is commonly used for non-binary individuals.

Citations

↑ "Archdiocese of Milwaukee Web Style Guide" (PDF).
↑ "Catholic News Service Stylebook on Religion" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 December 2005.
↑ "Religion Stylebook". 31 December 2010.
↑ "University of San Francisco Editorial Style Guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-04. Retrieved 2014-11-29.
↑ "Associated Press Style Guide" (PDF).
↑ "How to Address Church Officials, Bishops, Priests". 2009-08-15. Archived from the original on 2016-10-24. Retrieved 2014-11-29.
↑ Secretary of State 2000: "26. For Supernumerary Apostolic Protonotaries, Prelates of Honour and Chaplains of His Holiness there may be used the title 'Monsignor', preceded, where appropriate, by 'Reverend'".
↑ Peterson, Jason P. (7 October 2013). "Lutheran Reformission: Should pastors be called Father?". Lutheran Reformission. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
↑ James Jerome Conn (1991): Catholic Universities in the United States and Ecclesiastical Authority.Gregorian Biblical BookShop
↑ Katarina Schuth (1999): Seminaries, Theologates, and the Future of Church Ministry. An Analysis of Trends and Transitions. Liturgical Press
↑ "How to address the clergy", Crockford's Clerical Directory website.
↑ Contact us, UK: Alton Abbey, archived from the original on 2011-11-10, retrieved 2017-12-17
↑ Nathan, George Jean (1927). The American Mercury, Volume 10. Knopf. p. 186. Retrieved 17 December 2017. When traveling in England they are customarily addressed as "My Lord" or "Your Lordship" and thus put on the same footing as the Bishops of the Established Church of that country, who, when sojourning in America, are properly so addressed. Similarly, a visiting Anglican Archbishop is "Your Grace." He is introduced as "The Most Reverend, His Grace, the Archbishop of York."
↑ "The Church of Ireland". www.ireland.anglican.org. Retrieved 12 October 2015.