This may sound silly, but I don’t understand when and why we use these different titles within the Catholic church.
I wasn’t raised in Catholicism but my husband was so our kids attend a Catholic school.
The Priest is referred to as “Father Blahblah” then he sends memos out as “Rev. Blahblah” and then I’ve also heard Bishop used in services before? I’m just very confused.
Thanks yall 🙂
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In Catholicism, a priest is someone appointed and ordained by the church as a member of the holy order.
“Father” is just a honorary term used with priests – similar to calling someone “sir.” Similarly, “reverend” (which just means “respected”) is just an term of honor applied to priests. In a college, the person who teaches you may sign their emails “Dr. Blahblah” or “Prof. Blahblah” – it’s just honorary terms that fit their office/degree.
A bishop is a special kind of priest. There’s only 5,600 worldwide, in both Catholic churches, and they’re sort of the “upper management” of priests – they oversee a certain territory (diocese) and generally oversee a large number of priests within that territory. All bishops are priests, only a select few priests are bishops. Bishops can go on to become even higher ranks – archibishops, cardinals, and the highest of all, pope.
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