How to Properly Address an Archbishop

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Learn the appropriate way to pay respect when speaking or writing to an archbishop or bishop
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Archbishops are esteemed members of the clergy and, likewise, we address them with special titles whenever we speak or write to them. Most commonly, we say, “Your Excellency,” but there’s a bit more to it than that, so we’ll tell you everything you need to know about talking with or writing to a bishop or archbishop, as well as other members of the clergy.

Things You Should Know

  • Greet an archbishop or bishop formally by saying, “Your Excellency,” or, “Your Grace.”
  • Greet an archbishop informally by saying, “Archbishop (surname),” such as, “Hello, Archbishop Franklin.”
  • Address a letter to an archbishop by writing “Most Reverend (Full Name)” on the envelope, then start the letter with the archbishop’s full title.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Addressing an Archbishop in Person

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  1. When you approach an archbishop or a bishop, it’s best to give them a formal salutation. Both “Your Excellency” and “Your Grace” are acceptable and highly respectful greetings. “Your Grace” tends to be used more in European dioceses, but it’s also acceptable for American Archbishops. [1]
    • For example, if you wanted to show your appreciation in person, say something like, “Good Morning, Your Grace. I’m very grateful for your kindness and leadership.”
    • Use “His Excellency” or “His Grace” if talking about, but not directly to, an archbishop.
  2. If you’ve spoken to a particular archbishop before, have volunteered under them, or are related to them, it may be appropriate to greet them informally. Refer to the archbishop as “Archbishop (surname).” This also applies when calling out to an archbishop, trying to get his attention, or asking him a question. [2]
    • For example, you might say, “Hello, Archbishop Anderson. It’s great to see you,” or, “Hello, Archbishop Smith. How have you been?”
    • Avoid saying just “Archbishop” or “Bishop,” as in, “Hello, Bishop.”
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  3. Some cardinals are also archbishops. If you want to greet a cardinal who is also an archbishop in person, it’s best to say, “Your Eminence” or “Your Lordship,” in order to show respect. [3]
    • For example, you might say, “Thank you for the sermon, Your Eminence,” or, “May I get your opinion on this passage of scripture, Your Lordship?”
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Writing a Letter to an Archbishop

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  1. At the top of the page, write, “His Excellency,” then start a new line directly underneath. On the second line, write, “The Most Reverend (Full name). Write a third line that says, “Archbishop of (diocese).” [4]
    • If you’re writing to a cardinal who is also an archbishop, instead write "His Eminence, (first name) Cardinal (surname), Archbishop of (diocese)" as the heading.
  2. Skip a couple of lines and write a salutation before starting the body of the letter. Write, “Your Excellency,” if the letter is of a formal nature, or write “Dear Archbishop (surname),” if it’s a little more informal. [5]
    • When writing a letter to a cardinal who is also an archbishop, write "Your Eminence," "Most Eminent Cardinal," or "My Lord Cardinal," as the salutation. [6]
    • If you are writing a thank you letter to an archbishop, a good rule of thumb to follow is to be very specific about what you're thankful for. For example: "Dear Archbishop Smith, we thank you for visiting our community."
  3. After you’ve finished writing the body of the letter, skip a few lines before concluding the letter. It’s most common to write “Respectfully Yours in Christ,” and then start a new line below it where you sign your full name. [7]
    • You might also conclude the letter by writing, “Asking Your Excellency's blessing, I am, Yours respectfully in Christ,” just above your full name. [8]
  4. Put the letter in the envelope and seal it. Address the front of the envelope with “Most Reverend” then the archbishop’s full name. Below that, write “Archbishop of (diocese).” [9] Then write the archbishop’s street address as usual below that. For example:
    • Most Reverend Samuel J. Aquila
    • Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Denver
    • 1300 S. Steele Street
    • Denver, CO 80210
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Addressing Other Clergy

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  1. When meeting the pope, use “Your Holiness” if you’re speaking directly with him, or “His Holiness” if you’re talking about him. You might also use “Most Holy Father.” [10]
    • Address letters to the pope with “His Holiness Pope (Name),” then the street address below.
    • Conclude letters to the pope with “I have the honor to profess myself with the most profound respect, your Holiness' most obedient and humble servant.”
  2. Cardinals are referred to as “Your Eminence” when speaking directly to them, or “His Eminence” when speaking about them. You might also say “Your Lordship.” [11]
    • Address letters to cardinals with “His Eminence (first name) Cardinal (surname), with the address below.
    • Conclude letters to cardinals with “Asking the blessing of Your Eminence, I am, Yours respectfully in Christ, (your name).”
    • Note that a patriarch is a cardinal with precedence over other cardinals, and is addressed with “Your Beatitude.”
  3. Monsignors are church officials with special distinctions bestowed to them, usually in honor of many years of service to the church. [12] Address monsignors as simply “Monsignor (surname),” such as, “Thank you, Monsignor Blanche.” [13]
    • Address letters to monsignors with “The Reverend Monsignor (full name).”
    • End letters to monsignors with “Respectfully yours in Christ, (your name).”
  4. When speaking to or about a priest, or writing to a priest, simply say “Hello, Father (surname)” or “ Goodbye, Father (surname),” as in, “Father Hubbard.” Similarly, deacons are simply “Deacon (surname),” as in, “Deacon Delaney.” [14] End a letter to a priest or deacon with “Respectfully yours in Christ, (your name).”
    • Or, if you’re familiar with a priest or deacon, you might use their first name in place of their surname, such as “Father John” or “Deacon Mark.”
  5. A mother superior supervises a community of sisters. When speaking to one, say, “Good morning, Reverend Mother (Catholic name),” their Catholic name being the name they chose when they took vows. For example, “Reverend Mother Augustine.” [15]
    • Address letters to a mother superior with “Reverend Mother (Catholic name),” and end them with simply, “Respectfully yours, (your name).
  6. Nuns or sisters are simply called “Sister (Catholic name),” their Catholic name being the name they chose when they took vows. [16] For example, “Hello, Sister Anne Marie.”
    • Address letters to sisters with “Sister (Catholic name),” and end them with “Respectfully yours in Christ.”
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  • Question
    Where can I send a letter to if I want to maximize the chance that the Archbishop of Canterbury himself would read it rather than one of his employees?
    Community Answer
    You could telephone or email Lambeth Palace and ask how best to contact the Archbishop directly, or contact via Twitter or using the contact form on the Archbishop's website.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/how-to-address-church-officials.html
      2. ↑ https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/how-to-address-church-officials.html
      3. ↑ https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/how-to-address-church-officials.html
      4. ↑ https://adoremus.org/2009/08/how-to-address-church-officials-bishops-priests/
      5. ↑ https://adoremus.org/2009/08/how-to-address-church-officials-bishops-priests/
      6. ↑ https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/how-to-address-church-officials.html
      7. ↑ https://adoremus.org/2009/08/how-to-address-church-officials-bishops-priests/
      8. ↑ http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/forms-address.htm
      9. ↑ http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/forms-address.htm
      1. ↑ http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/forms-address.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/how-to-address-church-officials.html
      3. ↑ https://aleteia.org/2019/04/04/what-is-a-monsignor-in-the-catholic-church/
      4. ↑ https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/how-to-address-church-officials.html
      5. ↑ https://formsofaddress.info/deacon_catholic/
      6. ↑ http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/forms-address.htm
      7. ↑ http://www.catholictradition.org/Saints/forms-address.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Addressing an acrhbishop the right way will show your respect. In person, address them as either “Your Excellency” or “Your Grace.” If the archbishop is also a cardinal, address them as "Your Eminence" instead. If you already know the archbishop, you can use their surname, such as “Archbishop Anderson.” When you’re writing a letter to an archbishop, you should address the envelope and the top of the letter using their full title. On the first line, write “His excellency.” On the second line, write, “The Most Reverend,” followed by their full name. Then, on the third line, write, “Archbishop of,” followed by their province. Open your letter with “Your excellency” instead of “Dear.” For more tips, including how to end your letter to an archbishop, read on!

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