AmericanPapist Comments
In 1979, I was 16 when Pope John Paul II visited America, and if I recall correctly, Carter met him at the airport then and met him again when he left; Reagan also met him in Alaska. Even Bill Clinton did the same. All US presidents met the Pope at the airport, usually with their wives.
It was the frist time under Jimmy Carter, however, that the Roman Pontiff was even invited to the White House. Apparently, the US Government did not offer the same courtesy to Pope Paul VI.
As a matter of protocol, the President of the United States DOES NOT wait for sate visitors (or anyone else) at the airport. Rather, he receives them at the White House. The exception is the Pope (and maybe some others, but I don't know of any). It is a gesture of respect.
WAC
When the Pope came to St. Louis, he was greeted at the St. Louis airport by President Clinton. For the departure ceremony the next day, the Vice President was present at the airport.
I just hope this time Bush won't address the Holy Father as "Sir."
When our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II visit New York/New Jersey in the late 1990's he was greeted at Newark International Airport by President Clinton. In fact my parishioner, Rocky Sconda prepared all the special canopies for Newark and New York.
Fr. Ken
I have noticed recently that many Protestant refer to priests, bishops, etc. as "sir". I have had the privilege of being with Cardinal DiNardo here in Houston at several events and everytime I have noticed that the non-Catholic frequently call him sir. I find it somewhat disrespectful. Most Catholic refer to clergy of other denominations by their proper title, right?
Unless it's "Sir" as one would greet a knight....
I don't believe that the Protestants in question understand it to be a rude form of address.
I think of Ash Wednesday, and the number of times folks ask, "do you know you have dirt on your forehead?" I think it really can be chalked up to ignorance of protocol and the assumption that ecclesiastical protocol is similar to diplomatic or business etiquette. I daresay if I asked many of the people I know to kindly address an ecclesiastical personage as "Eminence," "Excellency," "Your Grace," or even "Holy Father" for the Holy Father in question, they'd think I was being droll.
i agree with kyle. "sir" in english is the default term of polite address to a male.
Even if the Pope is not adressed to as "Holy Father", which has a religious sounding, "Sir" is not appropriate. "His/Your Holiness" is more appropriate for State affairs, because it is the diplomatic form of adress.
Just like at the UN presidents are referred to as "Excellency", even if they do not use the title domestically. And Pres. Bush has adressed monarchs as "Majesty", which does not mean that he is a subject of the monarch in question. It simply follows from the fact that the form of adress to a king/queen is the vocative "Majesty". In the like manner, the diplomatic style of adress to the pope is "Your Holiness".
"Sir" is a reflex, taught to many of us in our childhood. Most Catholics have the additional reflex of "Father" or "Sister"; some have "Brother", too, but I sure don't. (And you can imagine the embarrassment that can cause....)
I don't know what I'd call my bishop if I ended up talking to him in a social situation. "Sir" would probably pop out, although "Your Honor" is not out of the question.
And "You know you're in the SCA when..." you call someone you don't know, who isn't an aristocrat of any kind, "M'lord" or "M'lady". As in, "Sorry, m'lady! I didn't see you coming out of the bathroom!"
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