Monsignor

In this article we will address the topic of Monsignor, which has aroused great interest in today’s society. Monsignor is a topic that impacts different areas of daily life, from politics and economics, to culture and education. It is a topic that generates debate, reflection and criticism, and that, without a doubt, is fundamental to understanding current reality. Throughout this article we will explore different aspects of Monsignor, analyzing its impact, its implications and its relevance in today’s world. In addition, we will present different perspectives and expert opinions on Monsignor, with the aim of offering a complete and enriching vision of this topic that is so relevant today.

Honorific form of address for certain Catholic clergy
«Mgr.» redirects here. For the 1982 film, see Monsignor (film). For the French equivalent, see Monseigneur.

Portrait of Monsignor James F. Loughlin. The ecclesiastical dress of priests styled monsignor is similar to that of bishops.
Part of a series on the
Hierarchy of the
Catholic Church
Saint PeterSaint Peter
Ecclesiastical titles (order of precedence)
Liturgical titles
Administrative and pastoral titles
Consecrated and professed titles
Additional titles
Associations and Organization titles

Monsignor (/mɒnˈsiːnjər/; Italian: monsignore [monsiɲˈɲoːre]) is a form of address or title for certain members of the clergy in the Catholic Church. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, meaning «my lord». «Monsignor» can be abbreviated as Mons.[1][2][3][4] or Msgr.[a][b] In some countries, the title «monsignor» is used as a form of address for bishops.[citation needed] However, in English-speaking countries, the title is unrelated to the episcopacy, though many priests with the title later become bishops.[1][2][3][4]

The title «monsignor» is a form of address, not an appointment (such as a bishop or cardinal). A priest cannot be «made a monsignor» or become «the monsignor of a parish». The title «Monsignor» is normally used by clergy who have received one of the three classes of papal honors:

The pope bestows these honors upon clergy who:

  • Have rendered a valuable service to the church
  • Provide some special function in church governance
  • Are members of bodies such as certain chapters

Clerics working in the Roman Curia and the Vatican diplomatic service are eligible for all three honors. Priests working in a diocese are only eligible for the «Chaplain of His Holiness» honor. Priests must be nominated by their bishop and (for appointments after 2013) must be at least 65 years old.

Current honor rules

Current honor classes

Pope Paul VI, in his 1968 publication motu proprio Pontificalis Domus, reduced the number of papal honors allowing «Monsignor» as a style from 14 to three. The protonotary apostolic class was divided into two subsections. The classes of chamberlains and chaplains were abolished, leaving only a single class of «chaplains of his holiness».[10] The three papal honor classes are:

Current honor eligibility

In March 2013, Pope Francis suspended the granting of papal honors, with the title of monsignor, to all clergy except members of the Vatican diplomatic service.[11][12] However, by 2022 the title had started to be awarded again.[13]

At the October 2013 meeting of the Council of Cardinal Advisers, Pope Francis stated his desire to scale back the honors as part of a broader effort to project a more modest and pastoral vision of leadership. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis never requested papal honors for his priests, associating the honors with clerical «careerism».

In December 2013, Pope Francis decreed that diocesan priests could become «Chaplain of His Holiness», the lowest of the three papal honors. He also set a minimum age required of 65. Existing honors were not affected.[14][15][16] Pope Francis decided to continue papal honors from all three classes for two groups of clergy:

  • Officials of the Roman Curia
  • Members of the diplomatic service.[17][18]

Current forms of address

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: «Monsignor» – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

These are the current forms of address for a monsignor:

  • The written form is Monsignor (first name) (last name) or The Reverend Monsignor (first name) (last name). For example, «Monsignor Bob Smith» or «The Reverend Monsignor Bob Smith».
  • The spoken form is Monsignor (last name).[19] For example, «Monsignor Smith».

In English-speaking countries, bishops and archbishops are not called «monsignor». However, in 1969 the Vatican Secretariat of State indicated that bishops may be addressed as «monsignor». In some countries, the titles «Monsignore», «Monseigneur«, «Monsenyor», and «Monseñor» are used for bishops, archbishops and any other prelates below the rank of cardinal or patriarch.[citation needed]

The 1969 instruction also indicated that for bishops «Reverendissimus» (translated as «most reverend») could be added to the word «monsignor». For example, the «Most Reverend Monsignor John Doe». This instruction also applied to:

Current ecclesiastical dress