calling priests by their first name

sorollo

I have noticed recently that in our parish we always address the new priest as Father Michael.

In fact Michael insists on us calling him by his first name albeit with the prefix Father.

I don't feel comfortable with this arrangement.

In fact I think it is a little cheeky for the priest to insist we call him by his first name.

Whenever I used to get a mass card signed by his predecessor I would never have even considered saying father Gerard to him.

The Father surname created a bit of distance and also is a sign of respect.

What do you think?

beefburrito

sorollo wrote: »

I have noticed recently that in our parish we always address the new priest as Father Michael.

In fact Michael insists on us calling him by his first name albeit with the prefix Father.

I don't feel comfortable with this arrangement.

In fact I think it is a little cheeky for the priest to insist we call him by his first name.

Whenever I used to get a mass card signed by his predecessor I would never have even considered saying father Gerard to him.

The Father surname created a bit of distance and also is a sign of respect.

What do you think?

Call him Al

Cabaal

Not seeing the issue, if people want to just call him Michael then that's fine, it's his name after all.

Peregrinus

Generally you should call people by the name that they like to be called by. This is common politeness. There is no special exception to this rule for priests.

Besides, Michael is the name with which he was baptised. If that name is good enough for God, how can it be objectionable to you?

beefburrito

I do some work for a priest gardening, then he's a Sunni Muslim who sometimes helps powerwashing the yard while I'm pruning.

The 3 of us have great Craic Pagan,Priest and Muslim trashing it out while drinking tea smoking and eating biscuits.

It's all a bit of Craic

Secularism at the finest

Muhommad calls him the Teacher, I call him Seamus...his name is James.

I think priest's like to be part of banter and one of the lads....

uck51js9zml2yt

I just call the local PP by his first name. He's not my father.... he's dead!

sorollo

Peregrinus wrote: »

Generally you should call people by the name that they like to be called by. This is common politeness. There is no special exception to this rule for priests.

Besides, Michael is the name with which he was baptised. If that name is good enough for God, how can it be objectionable to you?

Why do the popes change their names?

splinter65

sorollo wrote: »

I have noticed recently that in our parish we always address the new priest as Father Michael.

In fact Michael insists on us calling him by his first name albeit with the prefix Father.

I don't feel comfortable with this arrangement.

In fact I think it is a little cheeky for the priest to insist we call him by his first name.

Whenever I used to get a mass card signed by his predecessor I would never have even considered saying father Gerard to him.

The Father surname created a bit of distance and also is a sign of respect.

What do you think?

Sometimes new things make us feel uncomfortable . Then we get used to it and it’s not uncomfortable any more.

Mrs OBumble

sorollo wrote: »

I have noticed recently that in our parish we always address the new priest as Father ?

Does he call you by your first name or does he say Mr Sorollo or Mrs Sorollo? Why should he br addressed any differently.

Oops69

call him what you want to call him as long as its respectful just like any other human being , he'll get over it, I'm sure he at least has other substantive stuff to concern him self with.

Day Lewin

Calling them "Father" always puts my teeth on edge: because a follower of Christ should be aware of this statement:

-- “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.
And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.
The greatest among you will be your servant.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."--

(Matthew 23, v 8 -- 12)

Note, it was Jesus himself who said this: perfectly plain and clear. If you address a person, whoever they be, call them by their plain and simple name.

Jellybaby1

It looks like the priest is dismantling walls, but you are rebuilding them. He wants a less formal relationship with his parishioners. I highly recommend it. Its not disrespectful to use his first name. It has become the norm in the CoI.

Peregrinus

sorollo wrote: »

Why do the popes change their names?

The present man didn't! And those who do are still known by Christian names, not surnames. Nobody remembers Good Pope Roncalli.

The theory behind the name change, SFAIK, is that the pope subsumes his individuality into his office, and renounces his former life to become wholly the servant of the servants of God. It's analogous to the tradition in some religious orders of taking a new (Christian) name upon profession of solemn vows.

pleas advice

sorollo wrote: »

Why do the popes change their names?

not only popes, monks and nuns too

Day Lewin

pleas advice wrote: »

not only popes, monks and nuns too

And monarchs, too: Prince Albert ("Bertie") became King George VI,
and so on: a title rather than a personal name.

sorollo

sorollo wrote: »

I have noticed recently that in our parish we always address the new priest as Father Michael.

In fact Michael insists on us calling him by his first name albeit with the prefix Father.

I don't feel comfortable with this arrangement.

In fact I think it is a little cheeky for the priest to insist we call him by his first name.

Whenever I used to get a mass card signed by his predecessor I would never have even considered saying father Gerard to him.

The Father surname created a bit of distance and also is a sign of respect.

What do you think?

This is a common enough way in my experience, using father "first name". Certinaiy I've often come across it in my own and other parishes. It's not with every priest but many are addressed this way.

Herroooo88

who are you to decide on what a guy should be referred to as?

wench

Peregrinus wrote: »

sorollo wrote: »

Why do the popes change their names?

The present man didn't! And those who do are still known by Christian names, not surnames. Nobody remembers Good Pope Roncalli.

Yes he did, he was Jorge Mario Bergoglio beforehand.
He chose Francis after St Francis of Assisi.

KatyMac

I'm old enough to remember addressing a bishop as 'My Lord Bishop' (CoI) which was a bit of a mouthful. The next bishop that I had meetings with said 'call me John'. I compromised by calling him Bishop John - it comes down to what you are comfortable with. No-one would like to be addressed as 'Michael er Fr Michael' as you fall across his name!

Graces7

As long as you do not drop the "Father", or "Sister" ... Respecting the calling and that there is in essence no "time out" from that honour

Verity.

Most priests I have met insist on their Christian name be used. I use the priests name with 'Father' prefix out of respect. In fact, the last priest my family ever referred to by Father Surname was in the eighties. The priest used to visit our home as my brother was born with a heart condition, I remember him well. Lovely priest and wonderful man, God rest him.

If it is what is preferred then why not? I think it may be because they are trying to shake off some of the formalities, and perhaps people may feel priests are more approachable? For me it is certainly true. It's probably silly to say when we moved home (quite a distance) we felt a little like outsiders. We introduced ourselves to the Parish Priest and he insisted we call him by first name. He is warm and approachable in nature, which is lovely. It doesn't change how much respect for him, if anything the opposite is true.

Jellybaby1

I'm CoI, and I'm hearing from RC friends that quite a few younger priests are much more approachable than the older men. I feel the RC is catching up quickly on the CoI with first names which is really quite nice. Also I notice recently on TV, priests being interviewed, without the collar, unheard of a decade ago. They're becoming much more relaxed and so parishioners will also be more relaxed and be able to communicate with them on an even level. I don't see anything wrong with that myself.

Thinkingaboutit

Peregrinus wrote: »

The present man didn't! And those who do are still known by Christian names, not surnames. Nobody remembers Good Pope Roncalli.

The theory behind the name change, SFAIK, is that the pope subsumes his individuality into his office, and renounces his former life to become wholly the servant of the servants of God. It's analogous to the tradition in some religious orders of taking a new (Christian) name upon profession of solemn vows.

Not quite. Papa Roncalli or as now Papa Bergoglio is used in at least Italy.

In respect of the topic, addressing someone as he or she wishes to be addressed normally seems good manners. Doing otherwise, verges on bad manners. If a priest wants to be called Mike, Fr Mike, or Fr O'Shea, then surely follow his wishes.