Karl Keating’s latest e-letter has an interesting apologetical tidbit in that in the previous centuries here in the United States that many Protestant clergy were addressed by Father and Mother and at the time Catholic priests were addressed by Mr. His gives the historical background here.
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Link isn’t working for me…
Fixed.
Interesting bit of history that! Thanks for the heads-up Jeff!
In France priests are called Pere (Father), but in Italy – which may claim to wield a certain weight in ecclesiastical affairs, I suppose – they are addressed as Don (Sir, or a respectful Mister). And by the way, anyone who has not read Giovanni Guareschi’s Don Camillo books should track them down at once and do so. They’re wonderful.
That was interesting, but Elinor, I thought in Italy priests were addressed as “Padre” (as in Pio). Or did Italians call him that because he was a Capuchin brother? I’m curious, thanks.
I am told that, traditionally, in Italy, Don is used for the secular clergy and Padre for the religious. Though such distinctions are probably a lot less clear on the ground, especially in Rome where so many people (and clergy) are coming from such various backgrounds!
On the other hand, Mr. comes from master, does it not? And therefore an argument could be made from Matthew 23:8 that we shouldn’t call anyone Mr. since we only have one master.
Maria, that’s hilarious, but I’m still raising my children to address folks as Mr., Mrs., Fr., Sr., etc., even if occasionally they slip and say, “Dude.”
It gets worse in the higher ranks of clergy, by that argument. Mon Seigneur means “my lord”, after all.
I prefer “Great Lord” myself… [sigh] I never get it, though!