How would address a priest?

The Backwards Man

Just put 'to whom it may concern' on it. I put that on everything, birthday cards, mass cards, tax letters, everything.

Junkyard Tom

Dear Len, how's the son?

km991148

Notorious97 wrote: »

I am sure someone will be along any moment to abuse the church to no end, please stand by.

I was hoping for that also.. but what do ya know.. 3 pages in and very little..
I am disappointed..

AH has went soft!

gerrybbadd

Howaya Padre

seamus

Deleted User wrote: »

Father <last name> usually works. I guess it depends on the context. Some like being referred to by their first name.

I don't think it matters as such if you're a catholic or not. If I were addressing a Jewish Rabbi, I'd be referring to him as Rabbi. Same with whatever title carries for that Religion. It's just a sign of respect.

I probably wouldn't address a Rabbi as "Rabbi" unless it was relevant to the context. If we were guests at a wedding and he'd been introduced to me as "John", I'd just call him John, not "Rabbi" or "Rabbi John".

In the same way I don't call any Garda, "Sergeant Jones" or "Garda Jones" unless they're actually in uniform or otherwise dealing with in an official capacity.

In that regard, if I was writing a letter of thanks to a priest for a nice funeral or something, I'd probably use the "Father" title. If I was asking him to pay his subs for the local poker club, or asking him if he wanted another beer, I wouldn't.

topper75

kylith wrote: »

IDK, I haven't had to address a priest with more than 'hello' for years. I'd probably avoid addressing him as anything for as long as I could. I like to think that if forced to call him anything I'd say 'Mister ...' for 2 reasons: I already have a father, and the bible specifically says not to call any person 'father'. In my house growing up priests were referred to just by their surname.

But then, I'm a contrary bitch.

Why don't you use the term I use, "Good Sir"?

As in, "I am warning you one last time Good Sir, do not sprinkle me with that holy water or you risk a sound beating."

Ruu

Unhand me priest!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VNhhC3lY64

Royal Legend

Whats up rev,

probably depends on the nature of the letter, if its a thank you, then Dear Father, if its a threatening letter, then probably start with, you're dead you ******* ****, i am going to tear your balls off, purely dependent on the occasion etc

Akrasia

Don't call him Daddy, they don't like that.

Akrasia

Kovu wrote: »

I suppose it would depend on where he lived.

Whatever you don't forget the Eircode

conorh91

Dear Fr. [firstname] if you have met one another informally
Dear Fr. [surname] if you haven't met, or you feel first names would be too familiar.

Nuns are more difficult, because they usually drop the 'Sister' prefix altogether.
Sr Murphy?
Sr. Mary
Mary?
Yo Murph?

Mad nuns.

BlaasForRafa

"Dear F**kface" should do the trick

Fr_Dougal

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

"Dear F**kface" should do the trick

:mad:

Bubbaclaus

Calling someone that isn't your Dad 'Father' has always sounded creepy to me, especially considering the recent history of the church. Call him by his first name.

I've always called priests by their first name, just like everyone else in society.

Bubbaclaus

Calling someone that isn't your Dad 'Father' has always sounded creepy to me, especially considering the recent history of the church. Call him by his first name.

I've always called priests by their first name, just like everyone else in society.

MillField

Well kiiiid

Fleawuss

Dear Melchizedek?

feargale

Reiver wrote: »

Careful now. Vocative case, "A chara".
We must be the only people who's language changed names when you addressed them.
"Tá Seán ann. A Sheáin!"
I agree, it is good for every situation, not too formal or informal.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocative_case

In fact, quite a few languages have a vocative form. Even English has examples e.g. "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."

darkpagandeath

Hail Satan ?

feargale

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Hail Satan ?

Clearly a man who omitted to read post no. 3.

Ted_YNWA

Kenjataimu wrote: »

The problem is the OP doesn't know the proper title.

Bubbaclaus

Bubbaclaus wrote: »

Calling someone that isn't your Dad 'Father' has always sounded creepy to me, especially considering the recent history of the church. Call him by his first name.

I've always called priests by their first name, just like everyone else in society.

But you wouldn't call your father father, he'd be your da. Father would be purely a religious term.

And sure most people would address a doctor as Doctor even though they probably don't have a doctorate

Annasopra

Dear...

Bubbaclaus

riffmongous wrote: »

But you wouldn't call your father father, he'd be your da. Father would be purely a religious term.

And sure most people would address a doctor as Doctor even though they probably don't have a doctorate

"Father would be purely a religious term"

Why even make something like that up if you're trying to make a point? Father is the male equivalent of mother. Next you'll be telling me Grandfather is a religious term too.

And I call my doctor by his first name and he calls me by my first name.

Boom__Boom

Bubbaclaus wrote: »

"Father would be purely a religious term"

Why even make something like that up if you're trying to make a point? Father is the male equivalent of mother. Next you'll be telling me Grandfather is a religious term too.

And I call my doctor by his first name and he calls me by my first name.

Totally agree - I can't believe that anyone who stops and thinks about it for a moment wouldn't find calling some priest Father utterly bizarre.

I think it gives a serious insight into how screwed up the Roman Catholic church is that Father is the title priests use.

efb

You're grace

darkpagandeath

Boom__Boom wrote: »

Totally agree - I can't believe that anyone who stops and thinks about it for a moment wouldn't find calling some priest Father utterly bizarre.

I think it gives a serious insight into how screwed up the Roman Catholic church is that Father is the title priests use.

They still use Laypeople ...

fleet_admiral

Howya bolix

katydid

Galway K9 wrote: »

AM i the only one that addresses a priest by their first name without any title?

That would surely depend on the purpose of the letter and the relationship of the people. If it's a social letter between acquaintances that has nothing to do with the person being a priest, then sure, it should be first names. If the letter has something to do with the guy's role as a priest, then use the title.

johnny osbourne

I knew a Father Clint Power, maybe she's having a go at him!