# Different "levels" of Reverand? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 15, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-levels-of-reverand/219197 "2003-12-15T21:35:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![moriah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b2d939/32.png) [@moriah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moriah)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-levels-of-reverand/219197/21 "2003-12-17T03:45:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JohnM \* > **[These](http://www.catholicherald.com/saunders/02ws/ws020523.htm) [two](http://www.kensmen.com/catholic/addressingclergy.html) sites go into more detail.** The first site is a better one with one exception: The rule not to use ‘Bishop’ as a direct address (as in, “Hiya, Bishop!”) has gone by the wayside, at least in the U.S. It is now as common as saying, “Hiya, Father!” ## The second site is from an archconservative Catholic web site and its info is outdated. E.g., Pope John Paul II tried to get people to stop kissing his ring early in his pontificate. He’s pretty much given up stopping people from doing it, but it’s no longer the ‘proper ettiquette.’ And the kissing of a Bishop’s ring is right out (especially in the U.S.). Peace. Now, if y’all want, you may kiss my ring. Though, I keep it in my back pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-levels-of-reverand/219197/22 "2003-12-17T04:46:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zabrain \* > \*\*It’s only fair if, after pumping millions into some fundamentalist’s election campaign, the churches hand over some tax dollars to pay for the legislation they sponsor. \*\* 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-levels-of-reverand/219197/23 "2003-12-17T04:59:04Z")
We had a bit of discussion on this topic a month ago on this thread: [Very, right, most reverend](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=224113). The [Protocol Office](http://www.graa.gov.sk.ca/protocol/html/Prot_practice/fms_address/ad_church.htm) of the Government of Saskatchewan and the Canadian government’s [Canadian Heritage](http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/pe/address5_e.cfm) site have pretty comprehensive info on styles of address for most religious groups. ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-levels-of-reverand/219197/24 "2003-12-17T20:34:42Z")
**moriah** , mea culpa, I didn’t really look at that second site other than confirming the spoken address for a deacon. After looking closer at that page and other parts of the site, I wonder whether they are pre-Vatican II or pre-Trent. ---
**Author:** ![hyjyljyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/0ea827/32.png) [@hyjyljyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyjyljyj)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-levels-of-reverand/219197/25 "2003-12-18T15:37:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SeekingTruth \* > \*\*thanks all, I figured it was probably something in the Protestant Church. Here’s a follow up. I was ordained by the Universal Life Church. now, first don’t let my priest know about this (I’m Catholic), and second, I called the County Courthouse, and yes, I can legally sign marriage, death, etc certificates. I’m legally an ordained minister, with the title of Reverand. What shall I call myself? Right Reverand, Very Reverand, please advise. I’m suffering this damn flu right now and stoned out of my gourd on codeine to kill the cough. Will check in tomorrow when I have a more solid grip on reality \*\* According to Brother Daniel at the ULC, you can call yourself anything you want (except Doctor or something real that you’re not). Right Rev., Most Rev., Most Extreme Holiness, etc., you name it. They’re all BS terms anyway when you get right down to it, so you get to pick one. There’s no “real” rule about divinity–it’s a made-up discipline. There’s no governing body or legal organization that can come after you. You could even get away with D.D., since you can claim your specific spritual path makes you just as much a “doctor of divinity” as someone who has paid the money to get the title. Write to Bro. Daniel for more info. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/different-levels-of-reverand/219197.md?page=1)