No longer "St Thérèse of Lisieux" but "Good old Tess".
From now on all formal religious titles are to be withdrawn, beginning with the saints downwards. Catholics are welcome to use terms of endearment, such as "Good old Pete" for St Peter, or, "nearly-good-Jack" for Blessed John Henry Newman. In Wales, the four evangelists are likely to be referred to as Matt-the-Tax, Mark-the-Preacher, Luke-the-Quack, and Jack-the-Books; so no change there, then.
How should I address an Archbishop?
The Pope himself has said "Call me George", and archbishops and bishops, whose job descriptions will disappear, should be similarly addressed. So if you meet Vincent Nichols, say in a cathedral or a night club, it is perfectly OK to call him "Vincent", "Vince" or even "Vin". It is a traddy solecism to say "Your Grace", and, frankly "Vinnie-babes" is also frowned upon unless you've met him before.
Likewise, priests will no longer be called "Father" although a jocular "Padre", "Vicar" or even "Pop" is acceptable. That just leaves deacons, who will typically be addressed as "Oi, you, fishface! Get out of that shed and unblock the drain!" So, no change there, then.
Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, seen here having a haircut, is undismayed.
Darling eccles - I hope Bruvver has not been abolished - has Bosco? xx Jess
ReplyDeleteI think it's impossible to abolish Bosco, but he doesn't seem to have come here yet to protest at being removed from the "saved" list.
DeleteMaybe they should abolish the title of comedy deacon? xx Jess
DeleteHe hasn't abolished the title Mgr completely - it is now reserved just to holy clerical pensioners.
ReplyDeletewell,so in effect, no change at all. then,
DeleteThe former Dean of the Catholic Cathedral in Pompey seemed to enjoy being called "Mr Dean" - shall we be allowed to continue this affectionate piece of Anglican Patrimony? Yrs - very briefly - Mgr Edwin
ReplyDeleteYes big titles are responsible for the all the careerism, pride, lack of Truth telling and generally abysmal and lazy waitering of the janitors of the Sunday little piece of bread kitchen in the Church. Therefore we're awaiting the memo reducing the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic to, simply, Chez Frankie.
ReplyDeleteI do hope he will retain the title of ‘Canon’ as, while Monsignori apparently cannot be fired (cfr. Ricca and Scarano), canons certainly can – canonically, of course.
ReplyDeleteI don't care what the Pope says (nothing new there!) I insist on being called BISHOP Bertrand Fellow. That said, my close friends call me Bertie! www.thesocietyofsuchpiousgents.blogspot.co.uk
ReplyDeleteI check in on you sometimes Bertie, but you don't have an rsvp.
ReplyDeleteI don't care what the Pope says (nothing new there then) and I'll carry on calling myself Frere Rabit, so there!
ReplyDeleteThe Roman Catholic Church was abolished in 1965 and its liturgy outlawed in 1969. However, I've got news for New-Vatican. Many of us pay no heed to you at all these days but we get on with our lives as Roman Catholics in spite of you. No wonder Benny gave up last year. Frank isn't going to make it, frankly speaking.
ReplyDeleteAt least Papal Orders of Chivalry remain for now for the saved.
ReplyDeleteOne day: "Arise Sir Eccles of the Order of the Golden Treacle."