How to address a Catholic Bishop?

[LynetteScavo]

It's Catholic confirmation season here.

DC have been told to address the Bishop as "Your Grace"

DD insists it's "My Grace" But she's 10yo and charming and will probably offer him some cake at the same time so he won't notice.

Debretts tells me it should be; " Roman Catholic bishops are addressed in speech within their community as ‘My Lord’ or ‘Your Excellency’"

I'm going with "Your Grace".

[Numberoneisgone]

Yes 'your grace' or certainly that is how Father Ted addressed Bishop Beennan.

[PinkBuffalo]

It is Your Grace
Pretty sure with your DD being only 10 no one will bat an eye though

[jcscot]

"Your Grace" is how you address and Archbishop, a Bishop is addressed as "My Lord" and a Cardinal as "Your Eminence".

[Pootles2010]

Ha! yes i only knew this because of Father Ted

[Fink]

It's My Lord for a bishop, Your Grace for an archbishop (only in the UK). Depends on the bishop though, quite a lot prefer an informal Father. If in doubt, go with My Lord. Unless you're sure it's an archbishop.

[Toddlerteaplease]

My close friend who is now an Archbishop detests being called My lord or your Grace and prefers 'father' or being called by his first name.

[Toddlerteaplease]

And what ever you do don't try to kiss his ring!!

[sashh]

And what ever you do don't try to kiss his ring!!

Or kick him up the arse.

When the bishop came to my RC school we were told to call him 'My Lord', some of the kids from my brother's school attended, they had been told to say 'Mi' Lord'.

[alltouchedout]

If you're not sure I can't see how "Father" would ever be offensive. I don't hobnob with bishops or indeed rank and file priests but surely "Father" is fine if you don't know the exact term.
If he's a nice man he'd probably find "my grace" quite sweet wouldn't he? If he's the kind of man who'd get annoyed that a small child hadn't got his form of address exactly right then he's not worth bothering about anyway!

[Boogers]

I'm smiling at the thought that knowledge of the Catholic church comes from Father Ted!

I'm sure it's "Your Grace". Whatever you do, don't do a Father Jack!

[Toddlerteaplease]

Our last bishop liked to be called by his first name. And just loved it when a girl with Down's syndrome called him Malc. The new one is more formal and its Bishop X, which feels odd.

[CreepingDogFart]

It's not "My Lord" it's "M'Lord".

[WingMirrorSpider]

Yes, I also get my information from Father Ted.

I believe the correct way to address him is 'Len'

[Shallishanti]

...and remember the answer to any tricky question is 'that would be an ecumenical matter'

[MadameCholetsDirtySecret]

Wing you beat me to it!

[pearlylum]

I would call him Mr X. The fact that he is a senior member of the sky fairy club is of no significance to me.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I just snorted my coffee at 'Len'

In my head I said it in Dougals voice

[JustGettingStarted]

I think "Grace" is for Anglican bishops. "Lord" is certainly only for CoE archbishops (there's two of them and they're in the House of Lords.)

I believe Catholic bishops are "Excellency"

[JustGettingStarted]

Unless they're also a Cardinal... That's "Eminence." and of course the Bishop of Rome is "Holiness."

I think maybe I'm wrong about the "Grace" thing... Apparently it's a thing in England and Wales for Catholic bishops.

[Toddlerteaplease]

Just. Catholic bishops in this country are not Excellency. Archbishops only are 'your grace' And it is My Lord not M'Lord!