This is me, Eccles

This is me, Eccles
This is me, Eccles

Saturday 4 January 2014

All religious titles to be abolished

Following the news that Pope Francis is abolishing the title "Monsignor" for secular or diocesan priests, a new batch of reforms has been announced.

St Therese of Lisieux

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From now on all formal religious titles are to be withdrawn, beginning with the saints downwards.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.

Vincent Nichols

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.

Timothy Radcliffe

Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, seen here having a haircut, is undismayed.

13 comments:

  1. Darling eccles - I hope Bruvver has not been abolished - has Bosco? xx Jess

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    1. I 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.

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    2. Maybe they should abolish the title of comedy deacon? xx Jess

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  2. He hasn't abolished the title Mgr completely - it is now reserved just to holy clerical pensioners.

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  3. The 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

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  4. Yes 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.

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  5. I 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.

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  6. I 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

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  7. I check in on you sometimes Bertie, but you don't have an rsvp.

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  8. I don't care what the Pope says (nothing new there then) and I'll carry on calling myself Frere Rabit, so there!

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  9. The 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.

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  10. At least Papal Orders of Chivalry remain for now for the saved.

    One day: "Arise Sir Eccles of the Order of the Golden Treacle."

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