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To: Huber

What's the difference between a Rev., a Rt. Rev., a Very Rev., and a Rev. Canon? Other than their same-sex relationships, of course ...


3 posted on 02/25/2006 5:24:21 AM PST by Tax-chick (My remark was stupid, and I'm a slave of the patriarchy. So?)
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To: Tax-chick
Here's the short course in Episcopal titles:

A Reverend is just an ordinary priest.

A Right Reverend is a bishop.

A Very Reverend is the Dean of a cathedral or seminary.

The Reverend Canon is a Canon (associate priest) of a Cathedral.

After we crossed the Tiber, I called the archbishop "Your Grace" without thinking . . . which is correct for both Anglican and Catholic archbishops in Britain . . . but not in the U.S. (he is apparently "Your Excellency" here . . . cardinals are "Your Eminence" everywhere. One of my dad's friends who is a judge addresses other judges as "Your Eminence" . . . just a personal quirk.)

5 posted on 02/25/2006 6:18:55 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of Ye Chase, TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary (recess appointment))
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To: Tax-chick
What's the difference between a Rev., a Rt. Rev., a Very Rev., and a Rev. Canon? Other than their same-sex relationships, of course ...

Addressing the Clergy
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/info/addressingtheclergy.html

Since the Lambeth Conference of 1968, at which styles of address were debated, there has been a trend towards simpler forms of address, Resolution 14 stated: 'The Conference recommends that the bishops, as leaders and representatives of a servant Church, should radically examine the honours paid to them in the course of divine worship, in titles and customary address, and in style of living, while having the necessary facilities for the efficient carrying on of their work'.

Whereas formerly a bishop would have been addressed as 'My Lord' and a dean as 'Mr Dean', it has become more usual to address a bishop in speech as 'Bishop' and a dean as 'Dean'. There is, however, a correct way to address clergy on an envelope, which is normally as follows:

Archbishop of Canterbury or York
The Most Revd and Rt Hon the Lord Archbishop of

Archbishop of another Province The Most Revd the Lord Archbishop of
Bishop of London The Rt Revd and Rt Hon the Lord Bishop of

Diocesan / Suffragan Bishop
Either The Rt Revd the Lord Bishop of
Or the Rt Revd the Bishop of

Assistant / Retired Bishop
The Rt Revd J.D.Smith (or John Smith)

Dean
The Very Revd the Dean of

Provost
The Very Revd the Provost of

Archdeacon
The Ven the Archdeacon of

Canon
The Revd Canon J.D.Smith (or John or Jane Smith)

Prebendary
The Revd Prebendary J.D.Smith (or John or Jane Smith)

Rural Dean
No special form of address (The Revd, the Revd Canon, etc)

Dean of Oxford / Cambridge College
No special form of address

Cleric also Professor
Either The Revd Professor J.D.Smith
Or Professor the Revd J.D.Smith

Canon also Professor
Either The Revd Canon Professor J.D.Smith
Or Professor the Revd Canon J.D.Smith

Cleric also Doctor Either
The Revd Dr J.D.Smith
Or The Revd J.D.Smith (degree)

Canon also Doctor
The Revd Canon J.D.Smith (degree)

Other Clergy / Priest / Deacon
The Revd J.D.Smith (or John or Jane Smith)


The following points should be noted particularly:
A diocesan or suffragan bishop has a title conferred on him by his consecration or subsequent translation, which he is entitled to hold until he resigns. He then reverts to his personal name, retaining the title 'Right Reverend'.
A dean, provost or archdeacon has a territorial title until he resigns. He then reverts to his personal name, and his title is 'Reverend' unless the rank of dean, provost or archdeacon emeritus has been awarded.
Retired archbishops properly go back to the status of a bishop but may be given as a courtesy the style of an archbishop.
A bishop holding office as a dean or archdeacon is addressed as The Rt Revd the Dean / Archdeacon of.
If a cleric's name or initials are unknown, he or she should be addressed as The Revd - Smith or the Revd Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms Smith. It is never correct to refer to a cleric as 'The Reverend Smith' or 'Revd Smith'.
There is no universally accepted way of addressing an envelope to a married couple of whom both are in Holy orders. We recommend the style 'The Revd A.B. and the Revd C.D.Smith'.

7 posted on 02/25/2006 7:15:34 AM PST by Huber (Direct threats require decisive action. - Dick Cheney)
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