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:
- Protonotary apostolic (the highest honored class)
- Honorary prelate
- Chaplain of His Holiness (the lowest honored class)
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.
- ^ a b The New York Times, 15 February 1918.
- ^ a b "The Rt Rev Mgr Graham Leonard", The Telegraph (obituary), UK, 6 January 2010.
- ^ a b Deceased clergy, Australian Catholic Directory.
- ^ a b Clergy within Diocese, UK: Romanist catholic Diocese of Paisley, archived from the original on September 5, 2009
- ^ Catholic Dallas, archived from the original on December 17, 2014
- ^ Bulletin (PDF), Miami Archdiocese, 2009-03-09, archived from the original (PDF) on October 11, 2010
- ^ Office directory, Diocese of Tyler, archived from the original on September 1, 2009
- ^ Contacts, Derry diocese, archived from the original on November 24, 2009
- ^ Zejtun parish, Malta, archived from the original on 2009-12-12.
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