
Archbishops are esteemed members of the clergy and are addressed with special titles. In person, an archbishop can be addressed as Your Excellency or Your Grace. In the United States, it is customary to address archbishops as Your Excellency, while in the United Kingdom, Your Grace is more common. When addressing a letter to an archbishop, it is appropriate to use His Excellency or Dear Archbishop [Surname]. If an archbishop is also a cardinal, the style of address changes to Your Eminence and His Eminence in written form.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| In-person greeting | Your Excellency, Your Grace |
| In-person greeting (familiar) | Archbishop [surname] |
| Letter greeting | The Most Reverend [full name], [any postnominals], Archbishop of [place] |
| Letter greeting (familiar) | Dear Archbishop [surname] |
| Letter salutation | Your Excellency, Most Reverend Sir |
| Letter salutation (cardinal) | Your Eminence |
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What You'll Learn

In-person greeting: Your Excellency or Your Grace
When greeting a Catholic archbishop in person, it is appropriate to address them as "Your Excellency" or "Your Grace". These forms of address are used to show respect and deference to the archbishop's position as an esteemed member of the clergy.
"Your Excellency" is commonly used in the United States to address both bishops and archbishops. It is also considered correct to use "Most Reverend Sir" or "Dear Archbishop [surname]" when addressing an archbishop in person.
"Your Grace" is also used to address archbishops and bishops, and is considered very British. This form of address is also used for archbishops and primates, such as the Archbishop of Canterbury.
It is worth noting that the specific forms of address for Catholic clergy can vary depending on cultural and regional contexts, and different traditions may exist in other languages.
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Written greeting: His Excellency
When writing to a Catholic Archbishop, it is customary to address them as "His Excellency". This is a widely recognised form of address for Archbishops and is considered the correct salutation.
For example, a letter to an Archbishop could begin with:
> "His Excellency, The Most Reverend [Name], Archbishop of [Place]"
The Archbishop could then be addressed as "Your Excellency" in the body of the letter.
In the United States, "Your Excellency" is also used when addressing Bishops. In Britain, "Your Grace" is also an acceptable form of address for Archbishops and Bishops.
It is worth noting that if an Archbishop becomes a Cardinal, the form of address changes to "Your Eminence".
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Greeting a Cardinal: Your Eminence
When addressing a Cardinal, it is customary to use the formal style of address "Your Eminence". This form of address is used when greeting a Cardinal in person or when writing to them. For example, one might say "Your Eminence" when meeting a Cardinal or use it as a salutation in a letter.
In written communication, such as letters or formal correspondence, the full title of the Cardinal is typically included. For instance, when addressing a letter to a Cardinal, one would write "His Eminence, [Name] Cardinal [Surname], Archbishop of [Place]" or simply "Your Eminence, Cardinal [Surname]". The use of "His Eminence" before the Cardinal's name is also acceptable.
It is important to note that the specific form of address may vary depending on cultural and linguistic contexts. For example, in the Philippines, a Cardinal is formally addressed as "Ang Kanyáng Kabunyian", which translates to "His Illustriousness" or "His Eminence" in Philippine English.
Additionally, in some traditions, a Cardinal who is also an archbishop may be addressed as "Your Beatitude and Eminence" or "His Beatitude and Eminence". This form of address combines the titles of Patriarch and Cardinal, as Patriarchs are Cardinals with honorary precedence.
When speaking to a Cardinal, it is respectful to use their ecclesiastical title followed by their name. For example, one might say "Your Eminence, Cardinal [Surname]" or simply "Cardinal [Surname]".
In certain cultures, such as in Britain, it is also acceptable to address a Cardinal as "Your Lordship" or "My Lord Cardinal". This form of address combines the respect accorded to the position of Cardinal with the local cultural traditions of address.
In summary, when greeting a Cardinal, the appropriate form of address is "Your Eminence" in most cases. This can be used in both oral and written communication, with slight variations depending on the level of formality and cultural context. It is important to be respectful and follow the appropriate etiquette when addressing members of the clergy, including Cardinals.
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Greeting a Patriarch: Your Beatitude
Greeting a patriarch, such as the Patriarch of Jerusalem, requires the use of specific titles and forms of address. When speaking to a patriarch, one should say "Your Beatitude". In written correspondence, a letter to a patriarch would be addressed as "His Beatitude, [Name], The Patriarch of [Place]", with the salutation "Your Beatitude".
Patriarchs are Cardinals but have honorary precedence over Cardinals. If an Eastern Catholic archbishop or patriarch is made a cardinal, they may be addressed as "His Eminence" and "Your Eminence", or the hybrid "His Beatitude and Eminence" and "Your Beatitude and Eminence".
In Britain and countries influenced by British Roman Catholic usage, archbishops are addressed as "Your Grace" rather than "His Excellency" or "Your Excellency". In the United States, archbishops are addressed as "His Excellency" or "Your Excellency".
In formal or written communication, "The Reverend", "His/Her Reverence", or "Your Reverence" may be used.
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Greeting a Bishop: Your Grace
Greeting a Catholic bishop or archbishop with "Your Grace" is considered respectful and appropriate. This form of address is customary in Britain and carries a sense of reverence and deference.
When addressing a Catholic bishop or archbishop, it is important to use their ecclesiastical titles and styles as a sign of respect and formality. These titles vary depending on the specific position and cultural context. For example, in Arabic, a bishop is titled "Sayedna," while in the Greek and Arabic-speaking world, various titles are used that may differ from their Western counterparts.
In written communication, such as letters or correspondence, specific formats should be followed. When addressing a bishop or archbishop, it is customary to begin with "The Most Reverend" followed by their full name, any postnominals, and their place of bishopry or archbishopry. For example, “The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of [Place]." However, when addressing a cardinal who is also an archbishop, the format changes slightly: "Cardinal (Full Name), Archbishop of (Place)."
When greeting a bishop or archbishop in person, the appropriate form of address is "Your Grace." This title is used to acknowledge their position and authority within the Catholic Church. It is considered a respectful and formal way to address these esteemed members of the clergy.
It is worth noting that different cultural and regional variations may exist in addressing Catholic bishops and archbishops. For instance, in the United States, "Your Excellency" is commonly used for bishops and archbishops, while “Your Eminence" is reserved for cardinals. Familiarity and personal relationships may also influence the level of formality in addressing these religious figures.
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Frequently asked questions
You can address a Catholic Archbishop as “Your Excellency” or “Your Grace”.
You can address a Catholic Archbishop as “His Excellency” followed by their name, for example, “His Excellency, [Name], Archbishop of [Place]”.
If the Archbishop is also a Cardinal, you can address them as “Your Eminence” in speech and “His Eminence” in letters.
If you know the Archbishop personally, you can address them as “Archbishop [Surname]” in letters, and “Archbishop [Surname]” or “Archbishop [Name]” in speech.
If the Archbishop holds a doctorate, they may be addressed as “The Most Reverend Doctor [Name]” in letters and “Most Reverend Sir” in speech.





![Speech of Henry Drummond, Esq., M.P., in the House of Commons, on Thursday, March 27, 1851, on the second reading of the Ecclesiastical titles bill. With a preface and notes. 1851 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qaVm0pKML._AC_UY218_.jpg)





































