Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 8/4/2007

Question
Hello Sir.  How can a non-Catholic person address a Catholic Priest, without calling him father, without offending him.

I was brought up in a Catholic household.  I was baptized when I was a baby in a Catholic Church.  My family and I went to Mass every Sunday, until I got into high school.  For the next 10 years I didn't goto church.  In 1996 I read the Catholic Bible, converted to Protestantism and was baptized in a Christian Church.  I went to a Protestant Church for the next 10 years and studied the Bible, Church History, Theology, Doctrine and the Pre-Nicene, Nicene and Post-Nicene Early Church Fathers Writings.  A year ago, I returned to the Catholic Church and began attending Mass again, because of the Writings of the Early Church Fathers.  I want to be faithful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but I find that I'm still struggling with my Catholic Faith.  

Is it inappropriate to address a Catholic Priest as Pastor or Reverend?

I look forward to hearing from you, Sir.  Thank you.


Answer
Peace

dear Nick
       Most address them address a priest as Father but if they feel uncomfortable about the term: Reverend is very appropriate. The term pastor( for a priest)or sacred pastor (for Bishops) are used by the Church to describe them if they have an active administerial role beyond their normal sacramental roles.
    Welcome home:)
To be honest can't  all Catholics declare with you to some degree:
I want to be faithful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but I find that I'm still struggling with my Catholic Faith.


                            your servant but His first
                                  George/ ravJerome72