4 January 2014
Monsignori
What a splendid thing that the Holy Father is cutting out the Monsignori business for youthful careerist clergy. What a load of nonsense it was. Far better to leave honorifics to the local Church. I point out that, as well as Canonries, there is the possibility of using Archdeacon as a diocesan honorific. In Ireland, and I believe in one or two other European countries, the word survives as a title of honour. From the Anglican Patrimony we can also offer Prebendary. Byzantium has Archpriests, protopresbyters.
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3 comments:
We could have just explained what it is and what it isn't. But perhaps the careerism, especially in more liberal priests, was so ingrained that this step was necessary. Also, I have heard that among secular clergy this is a way for bishops and nuncios to keep priests from becoming bishops. I wonder if this applies to diplomats of the Holy See as well...and I hope the rumor of the Holy Father not liking the ceremony and has done this to scale back its celebration has no truth to it...
Can you make someone a prebendary without having a prebend (or at any rate a prebendal title) to give him?
In Dublin (my native diocese) there are two archdeacons (Dublin and Gendalough) each canon of the Metropolitan Chapter has a prebend too! Their titles are replicated by the C of I but not in the Dublin diocesan Cathedral chapter but in St Patrick's instead!
PS According to Fr Nichols OP, Fortescue would have agreed with you wholeheartedly.
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