How to address the clergy? I was asked again today, for advice on inserting titles in forms, letters and even orders of service. I know that one or two of you with a more winsome sense of humour may have alternatives but pray for this purpose that these thoughts will stay with you. For clarity - I respond to Claire :D This is Crockfords response crockford.org.uk/standard.asp?id=116 * In offering the advice below, we do not intend to imply that other practices are necessarily to be discouraged (for example, the use of Father as in ‘Father Smith’). A good deal depends on circumstances, and, where a personal preference is known, it is usually good practice to follow it. The following notes show acceptable current usage on an envelope or formal listing in starting a social letter or in speech, and when referring to a member of the clergy Category (a) is not open to much variation, owing to the formality of the context, but categories (b) and (c) will often vary according to circumstances. It is always acceptable to use the appropriate Christian name in place of initials (for example, the Revd Alice Smith). In the absence of any style or title conferred by a post, all deacons and priests are styled ‘The Reverend’, and all who have been consecrated bishop are styled ‘The Right Reverend’. For abbreviations, see paragraph 13 below. 1 Deacons and Priests The Reverend A B Smith Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith (unless it is known that some other style is preferred--the title Vicar or Rector is acceptable only if the person so addressed really is the incumbent of the parish where you live or worship) The Reverend A B Smith at the first mention, and Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith thereafter Notes 1 The form Reverend Smithor ‘The Reverend Smith’ should not be used in UK English. If the Christian name or initials are not known, the correct forms are The Reverend-Smith, or The Reverend Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith The Reverend Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith at the first mention, and Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Smith thereafter 2 There is no universally accepted way of addressing an envelope to a married couple of whom both are in holy orders. We recommend the style ‘The Reverend A B and the Reverend C D Smith’. 2 Prebendaries The Reverend Prebendary A B Smith Prebendary Smith Prebendary Smith 3 Canons (both Residentiary and Honorary) The Reverend Canon A B Smith Canon Smith Canon Smith 4 Archdeacons The Venerable the Archdeacon of X Archdeacon, or more formally Mr/Madam Archdeacon The Archdeacon of X at the first mention, and the Archdeacon thereafter Notes 1 In the case of an archdeacon (or dean/provost, bishop, or archbishop) in office, the style above is to be preferred. The personal name should be used only for the purpose of identification. 2 For an archdeacon emeritus, the correct forms are The Venerable A B Smith Archdeacon Archdeacon Smith 5 Deans and Provosts The Very Reverend the Dean/Provost of X Dean/Provost, or more formally Mr Dean/Provost The Dean/Provost of X at the first mention, and the Dean thereafter (see also note 1 to paragraph 4 above) 6 Bishops, Diocesan and Suffragan The Right Reverend the Bishop of X, or The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of X Bishop, or more formally My Lord The Bishop of X at the first mention, and the Bishop thereafter (see also note 1 to paragraph 4 above) Notes 1 The use of ‘Lord’ before ‘Bishop’ is diminishing. It is a matter of individual preference whether it should be used. 2 The Bishop of London is a Privy Councillor, and has the style ‘The Right Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Bishop of London’. 3 The Bishop of Meath and Kildare is styled ‘The Most Reverend’. 7 Assistant and Retired Bishops The Right Reverend A B Smith Bishop Bishop Smith 8 Archbishops The Most Reverend the Lord Archbishop of X Archbishop, or more formally Your Grace The Archbishop of X at the first mention, and the Archbishop thereafter (see also note 1 to paragraph 4 above) Notes 1 The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, being Privy Councillors, also have ‘Right Honourable’ included in their style (for example, The Most Reverend and Right Honourable the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury). 2 The presiding bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church is the Primus, and the correct forms are The Most Reverend the Primus Primus Primus 3 A retired archbishop properly reverts to the status of bishop, but may be given as a courtesy the style of an archbishop. 9 Chaplains to the Armed Services The Reverend A B Smith RN (or CF or RAF) Padre, or Padre Smith The Padre, or Padre Smith 10 Titled Clerics Where a member of the clergy also holds a temporal title, this is always preceded in writing by the ecclesiastical one. Barons (other than retired archbishops) The Reverend the Lord Smith of Y Lord Smith The Reverend the Lord Smith at the first mention, and Lord Smith thereafter Baronets The Reverend Sir Alan Smith Bt Sir Alan Smith or Sir Alan The Reverend Sir Alan Smith at the first mention, and Sir Alan Smith thereafter Knights An ordained priest may be appointed to an order of knighthood, but will not normally receive the accolade or title. The appropriate designation will follow the name or ecclesiastical title, e.g. The Right Reverend the Bishop of X, KCVO. If he was knighted before he was ordained, he will retain his title. 11 Ordained Members of Religious Orders The Reverend Alan/Alice Smith XYZ; The Reverend Brother Alan/Sister Alice XYZ Father, Father Smith, or Father Alan; Brother Alan/Sister Alice The Reverend Alan/Alice Smith; Father Alan Smith; Father Smith; Brother Alan/Sister Alice Notes 1 A name ‘in religion’, shown in parentheses in the biographical entry, should be used in preference to the baptismal name or initials. Sometimes the surname is not used. In this Directory, however, the entry will be found under the surname, whether it is normally used or not, and, if appropriate, a cross-reference is given under the Christian name. 2 Some orders use ‘Brother’ and ‘Sister’ for lay and ordained members without distinction, along with Christian names. 3 It is customary to specify the religious order by giving the appropriate letters after the name. 12 Academics When a member of the clergy holds more than one title, the ecclesiastical one is normally used. Professor also Canon The Reverend Canon A B Smith Canon Smith, or Professor Smith, according to context Canon Smith, or Professor Smith, according to context Canon also Doctor The Reverend Canon A B Smith (degree) Canon Smith, or Dr Smith, according to context Canon Smith, or Dr Smith, according to context 13 Abbreviations The following abbreviations are in common use Reverend: Revd or Rev Father: Fr Right Reverend: Rt Revd or Rt Rev Prebendary: Preb Venerable: Ven Reverend, Right Reverend, Very Reverend, Most Reverend and Venerable, whether abbreviated or not, should always be preceded by the definite article.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 08:51:21 +0000
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