What is the proper way to address a Catholic Priest?

Question

Do you say, "Father [Last Name]" or "Father [First Name]" or just "Father"?

Answer 1

All three of them are appropriate. If you are writing a letter, Father Last Name is the best.

Father is used in the sense of a protective person, a fatherly figure. Of course our true father is in heaven. Since the priest is a representative of God, we can call him Father.

Answer 2

Father

Answer 3

I would address him, "Father", "Father [Last Name" or "Father [First Name, Last Name]". Oh, and for the ignorant Christians who say "call no man on earth your father", you're wrong on two levels: 1) The verse says "no one on earth", not "no man on earth", and 2) Jesus meant don't call a person father who doesn't deserve respect. He meant don't casually use the term father. When Catholics use the term father, they use it for 1)The first person in the Trinity, 2)Their male biological parent, and 3)Priests. Last time I checked, all three deserve the respect of being called father.

Answer 4

If you are a friend of the priest, address him as "Father (First Name)", if not, then "Father (Last Name)". If you do not know his name, address him as "Father".

Answer 5

If he were not a priest, and you would call him Mr. (last name) , then call him Father (last name). If he were not a priest and you would call him by first name, call him Father (first name).

Answer 6

I guess it depends upon how friendly you are with the priest.By that, I mean, are you on "friendship" basis with the priest or work closely with him that both of you feel comfortable with how you address each other.

If you don't know him at all, it's Father [Last Name] if you know it.
If you do know him it's Father [First Name] or, if he says, "Please call me Fr. [First Name]

If you just met him,or forgot his last name, Father is just fine.

I had an uncle who was a priest, so he was always "Fr. Pete" to us. His brothers and sisters called him that, too.

I hope this helps!

Answer 7

Just "Father" is always appropriate.

Whether the first or last name is used is the priest's personal preference.

If you don't know his preference, it is perfectly alright to ask.

With love in Christ.

Answer 8

I think you would say Father Jones, until you find out if his parishioners call him Father Joe or whatever. Just Father is used too, when you become more familiar or if you don't know his last name yet.

Answer 9

Just "Father" is fine. We call our Priest either "Father" or "Father Jim".

Answer 10

All three are acceptable. So is Reverend or Pastor. I've known lots of Catholic priests, most of them pretty cool. Most really aren't that formal any more and frankly couldn't care less. ~ Peace & Blessings ~