Clergy Etiquette

Notes From The Clergy Etiquette Book

Address Bishops verbally as \"Bishop Last Name\". It is optional to add his last name. If you say the Bishop's last name, do so only once. After that, simply address him as \"Bishop\". Address letters to \"The Most Reverend Full Name, D.D.\", then add any other doctoral degrees, if he has any. In conversation, a bishop may be addressed \"Bishop\" without name. It is preferable to use no name than to call the Bishop by his first name. Simply address him as \"Bishop\". In some cases, the most formal way to address a Bishop is \"My Lord\". The equivalent for Archbishops is \"Your Grace\". However, many senior clergy find this form of address embarrassing, and are extremely unlikely to insist upon it.

Clergymen may not address anyone in an informal manner at any time except in private conversation and only if the persons involved are in an informal relationship. A clergyman must always address people with their proper title: Mr., Mrs., Dr., Reverend, Father, Monsignor, Bishop, etc. Clergymen may address young persons by their first name. In a formal setting, as in making wedding or baptism or funeral arrangements, the clergyman must address people in a formal manner.

A general rule is always to be formal. Familiarity is not proper with any clergyman unless you are a relative, and then, only in private. Informality is never proper in public or with anyone unless you are a relative or a close friend, and you are in private circumstances. If you are with your close friend who is a Bishop and you are in public, you must address him as \"Bishop\". The same model is used for persons with other professional titles, like \"Doctor\" or honorary titles like \"Monsignor\". Referring to your close friend who is a Bishop as \"John\" or \"Marty\" in public circumstances is improper, and it will embarrass you.

uhmmm.. etiquette, well lets just get a little humor here....

I had enough problems getting use to the Mrs. after getting married and got worse when my daughter was growing up with hearing Mrs. from her friends and the teachers.... Made me feel real old....LOL

Then it got worse becoming a grandma....LOL

Then getting use to Reverend..... Now Bishop.... Whew.... but, to the serious side of things, respect is something that goes along with Etiquette and in the everyday world, we don't always see it used.... It's nice to see a balance of it here. And, it doesn't take a lot of effort to apply it in the Temple here or the outside world. As well as the reward, it's returned in kind!!

Great post Br. John!!

I think this is great, i believe that we all should listen and take heed to this. yes we are not looking for power trips but as a church this is just the way of things, if you have earned the rank of bishop than congratulations are in order. any rank i congratulate you all. i hope this helps us all with this now out in the open. i think to make things easy, next to you're user name on the post you should have you're positions, so new comers will know what to call you. thats just a thought though. have a great night everyone MTFBWYA

Ahhhh Etiquette, The fundemental building block of civility. While It is important to remain Humble, we should always congratulate and lift up our Brother's and Sister in Their acomplishements. One of the main ways we can do this is by showing them due respect as they progress and achieve on thier Path, as Bishop Thomas (Dan) pointed out. This use of etiquette shows not only respect but also Love, which is central to a Jedi's life.

Due to my intensive involvement with the Roman Catholic Church this form of address is not unfamiliar to me. I also have to agree with you all on this. This is not only a sign of respect for their achievement but also for the responsability which it carries. That is why I also stand corrected in my address of members in the Forum. I have addressed members with their first names, which I have to add was not done out of disrespect. Quite the contrary.

I ditto Rev. Finch's words. I, too, have called people by their first names casually without even thinking about it. As a recent member of the armed forces, I am use to using a rank then last name when in general public with peers and higher ranking individuals. Good call.

ok just so you guys don't feel bad, if Serric comes in then say hello rev. Serric or brother Serric. if you don't know their last name than there is no disrespect. just a little food for thought. MTFBWYA

Thanks Rev.Jeff Justice, solidarity helps! I don`t want to make a big thing out of it, but this issue of titles has also helped me to reflect and rethink (in a positive way) my thoughts and attitude to TOTJO and to myself included. This is definitely not an isolated issue, but it shows how everything hangs together.

what i have found is that i am very uncomfortable being addressed as \"Rev.\" or \"Minister\", not so much for the connotations associated with them, but it just feels very different lol. in fact the first and only marriage liscence i signed, i completely forgot to add the Minister or Reverand part and just signed my name.....that won't have any effect on its legality will it???

it shouldn't but if there is a problem all they have to do is ask you about it and you show proof again thats all. MTFBWY

Bylar wrote:

what i have found is that i am very uncomfortable being addressed as \"Rev.\" or \"Minister\", not so much for the connotations associated with them, but it just feels very different lol. in fact the first and only marriage liscence i signed, i completely forgot to add the Minister or Reverand part and just signed my name.....that won't have any effect on its legality will it???

It does not matter about not signing with a prefix. It's legal.

Unless it's important for the record or people to know - there's no commandment to use a title.

Br. John

Thats cool. Theres a core group of us that are always in the chatroom and to now have to be addressed by something other than what we have called ourselves would only complicate matters. If we were all to gather in one place, perhaps Bylar's physical temple-to-be, then maybe the first address would be the official one and then after that whatever the individual prefers.

Monsignor [rhymes with (on-seen-your) in English], pl. monsignori, is the proper title for a Senior Knight of The Order who is also a member of the clergy. In written English, it is abbreviated Mgr., Msgr. or Mons. The verbal address is “Monsignor Jedi”. Use of the first or last name is based on the familiarity of the parties and the setting.

Hi Rev Bylar

If possible could you send me an email on the ceremony you conducted. I would also like to know the finer points that were involved in this ceremony you conducted.

Love your sis

Bsp KC Avalon Dabak

Generally I would agree. However in the case of counseling sessions, or as familiarity and brotherhood change your relationship, I do not think formal ettiqute is always neccasary, as it can keep boundaries to helping that person as a Jedi brother or sister, or as a counselor.

the etiquette is a sign of respect to that persons rank thats all, there is no bearer to it. if you say god morning arch bishop dan can i have a word, thats when it is needed the rest of the time you can call me brother when we are talking, or dan. we dont derive of of power here well the light jedi dont.

DAN wrote:

the etiquette is a sign of respect to that persons rank thats all, there is no bearer to it. if you say god morning arch bishop dan can i have a word, thats when it is needed the rest of the time you can call me brother when we are talking, or dan. we dont derive of of power here well the light jedi dont.

...I can`t agree more Br.Dan. Anyone who uses their Titles as power portals are, in my opinion, in the wrong place. We are a Church however and because we live in a society we have to define ourselves so that others can relate to us. All titles (Master, Cardinal, Arch-Bishop, Bishop, Rev.,... ) are sign posts for others to orientate themselves and definitions of the responsability a person has taken. Nothing more and nothing less. No-one has a problem calling the head fireman, chief for example.

i'm good with using the title thing out of respect- and if i know what you are, (some i'm not sure) i'm happy to use it but i have to agree with Brother Dan in we don't need the ttiles and it should be used in the case of \"Rev. Ford, good morning may i have a moment of your time?\" type of things.

the other reason is we are all friends here and i personally do consider you all to be an extended family (congrats! you've all been adopted! lol) of sorts. if i'm informal it's a higher respect in my book.

MTFBWY

As in the military, ranks are aquired through either time or skill level. Then when someone refers to one another, their rank is usually included with their name as a sign of respect (at least in most cases). I think if you earned that title, then that person should be referred to as such. Of course they're maybe some situations where that formality is not necessary, like in informal gatherings or conversation where its to the individuals discretion.