How should I address a deacon, priest, or bishop of the Episcopal Church?
This depends largely on local custom. The custom at Trinity Church is to call the Rector “Father Canan”, “Father Dave” or for adults, just ‘Dave’. In other places with different customs, or to show respect when addressing visiting clergy, it might be appropriate to address the priest as “Father Jones” or “Mother Smith” or “Pastor Williams” or, if you wish, “Mr. [or Dr.] Jones” or “Ms. [or Dr.] Smith.” A deacon is formally addressed as “Deacon [or Mr., Ms., Dr.] Jones.” A bishop is always addressed as “Bishop Jones.” “The Reverend” is an appropriate title to precede the full name of a priest or deacon. The “Right Reverend” is used for a bishop. Reverend is an adjective, not a noun, and should not be used with a last name only, or without the article, “the”, as in “Reverend Jones.
