Main Menu
RC DAILY MEDITATIONS
RC DAILY MEDITATIONS

Ask a Priest: “Is It OK to Refer to a Priest by His First Name?”

Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC
Q: Is it a sin to call a priest by his first name (not to his face but when referring to him)? I know a priest friend well and tend to call him by his first name when referring to him. — Mariana

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

A: It’s not prohibited to refer to a priest by his first name. Lots of priests (though not all) refer to each other by their first names.

That said, you might want to be careful not to give any faulty impression.

Calling someone by his first name usually indicates a degree of familiarity with the person.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

But for the sake of someone who has promised to live as a celibate, it’s good that you maintain a healthy emotional distance from him.

I hope this helps.

Have a question?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time.

Ask A Catholic Priest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use.  You can ask about anything: liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events. Our goal is to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

ASK A QUESTION

Need an answer?

SEARCH POSTS
  • LATEST POSTS

Be in the know

Sign up to receive the latest questions and answers by email biweekly.

SIGN UP

Have a Question about the Faith? Get the answer here!

ASK A PRIEST
Scroll to Top

Ask a Priest a Question

Please note:

We do not accept submissions from minors. If you are under the age of 18, please consult your local parish priest.

Questions regarding details of abuse of minors or vulnerable adults (including pornography) could be the subject of a mandated report to civil authorities. Mandated reporters are persons identified by law who have an obligation to report suspected child abuse and neglect. 

Subscribe to Ask A Priest by Email

* indicates required

Events

Donate

Looking for another country?

Contact Regnum Christi near you

News & Resources

Main Menu

News & Resources

The Regnum Christi Mission

The Regnum Christi Family

The Regnum Christi Identity

Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!