How do I address my (Roman Catholic) bishop? Is he Your Excellency? Are there more and less formal forms of correct address?
~ Barbara Montgomery
I taught catechism for years and when the kids prepared for a visit by the Bishop for confirmation they were always told to say Your Excellency or Bishop (Name).
~ P.D.
Dear P.D. and Ms. Montgomery:
In conversation it’s correct to call the bishop Bishop (Surname).
A Roman Catholic bishop is not an Excellency — he’s a Most Reverend. So when you address an envelope, write The Most Reverend (full name) and on the second line Bishop of (diocese).
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops suggests to address bishops with the courtesy title the Most Reverend. See how they list their member bishops ON THIS PAGE … their advice makes sense.
Excellency is the courtesy title used with the accredited representative (ambassador) of one head-of-state to another head-of-state. The term was invented and established at the Conference of Vienna in 1814 for that purpose
So a papal nuncio … the accredited representative from His Holiness to a foreign head-of-state is addressed as His/Your Excellency … because he holds the rank of ambassador.
It is not used correctly when addressing bishops in general.
– Robert Hickey www.formsofaddress.info
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