How to Address an Episcopal Priest

_______Also on this page: How to Address a Priest & Spouse

How to Address an Episcopal Priest

—-Official Envelope: How to Address an Episcopal Priest
—-—-The Reverend (Full Name)
—-—-(Church/institution/etc.)
—-—-(Address)

—-Address block on the letter or Email:
——–The Reverend (Full Name)
—-—-(Position)
—-—-(Church/institution/etc.)
—-—-(Address)

—-Letter salutation:
—-—-Dear Reverend Father:
—-—-Dear Father (Surname):
—-—-Dear Mother (Surname):
—-—-Dear Dr. (Surname):

—-Conversation:
—-—-Reverend Father
—-—-Father (Surname)
—-—-Mother (Surname)
—-—-Dr. (Surname)

See Related Anglican/Episcopal Posts:
   ––—Archbishop
—––—Bishop–
—––—Bishop, Presiding
—––—Dean
—––—Archdeacon
—––—Priest, Mother, Father
—––—Brother

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

Mother (Name) is Cringeworthy

I am noticing regional differences in how Episcopal clergy in the U.S. is addressed. Bishops are easy, male or female. But what about a woman Episcopal priest?

In our community, ‘Mother (Name)’ appears to be cringeworthy. One is encouraged to use the priest’s first name, adding the honorific ‘Pastor’; for a woman. My observation is based on working with about ten women priests of a certain age over the past twenty years.
—-—-—-– MC

Dear MC,

There are many respectful forms of address. I don’t present mine to be the only correct form.

These forms I suggest (and include in my book) are based on advice the Public Affairs office of the Episcopal Church in New York – and their advice is that most of the women priests in the Episcopal Church go by ‘Mother (Surname)’ in conversation/direct address, unless they are ‘Dr. (Surname)’.

RE: regional differences. There are regional variations. These tend to be casual and informal. I focus on the formal forms – since those tend to be widely accepted and are the best option for all of us ‘outsiders’ to use when addressing officials in a hierarchy of which we are not a part.

Regarding use of Pastor – it is a good honorific to use with just about any member of Protestant clergy if you are unsure of what they personally prefer.  As far as I have observed, none of the protestant denominations object to it.

– Robert Hickey

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?

You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.)  The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.

Not Finding Your Answer?

—-#1)  At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.

—-#2)  If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.)  Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.

—-#3)  If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question  – but always change all the specifics.

— Robert Hickey 

Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”

Recommended Resources:  The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA)    For more information see the Protocol Resources page.