Ecclesiastical titles and styles


Ecclesiastical addresses are the formal styles of address used for members of the clergy.

Catholic Church

Latin Church clergy

United States

The major difference between U.S. practice and that in several other English-speaking countries is the form of address for archbishops and bishops. In Britain and countries whose Roman Catholic usage it directly influenced:
In Ireland, and in other countries whose Roman Catholic usage it influenced, all bishops, not archbishops alone, are titled the Most Reverend.
Clergy are often referred to with the title Doctor, or have D.D. placed after their name, where justified by their possession of such degree.

Italy

Similar to, and the source of, most of the U.S. English titles, with some variation:
In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, ecclesiastical address is adapted from American custom. The titles listed below are only used in the most formal occasions by media or official correspondence, save for the simpler forms of address. Post-nomials that indicate academic degree or membership in a religious order are usually included.
Although the styles and titles of Eastern Catholic clergy varies from language to language, in the Greek and Arabic-speaking world the following would be acceptable, but is by no means a full list of appropriate titles. It is notable that surnames are never used except in extra-ecclesial matters or to specify a particular person where many share one Christian name or ordination name. Where not noted, Western titles may be supposed. The following are common in Greek Melkite Catholic usage and in Greek Orthodox usage in the United States.
Usage varies somewhat throughout the Eastern Orthodox Communion, and not every church uses every clerical rank. Surnames are typically not used for archpastors or monastics.

Lutheranism