Lest we all end up more confused than I am now...

[pmcleanj]

My understanding of the use of the "+" nomenclature for priests and bishops is,


That a priest signing his name places after it, the cross; to show that he follows Christ. Thus, the priest who baptized my daughters is Julia+.
That a Bishop signing his name precedes it with the cross, to show that in Christ's name he leads the flock. Thus, the bishop who confirmed Anne is +Barry.
An archbishop, or at any rate a primate, follows his name with two crosses, to show that he leads the leaders (an awe-inspiring concept in Anglicanism). Thus, our beloved recently-departed ++Edward Scott, whom no-one would ever recognize by anything but "Ted".


If this understanding is right, then we've been accidentally promoting several clergy in these boards of late. But does anyone know where this quaint custom might be documented? It isn't in Miss Manners or Emily Post -- they don't even have the correct form of address for inviting a Reverend Canon to your wedding (I know, I had to phone the diocesan office for that one after Miss Manners and Mis Post let me down.)

[PaladinValer]

I thought +Mark was priest and ++Jack would be any bishop, but now after I did a little research, I believe you way is the correct one. :)

[gtsecc]

+++Pope?

[Father Rick]

Pam is correct on format... and gtsecc is correct in that only the Pope gets 3 "+++"

[Albion]

My understanding of the use of the "+" nomenclature for priests and bishops is,

That a priest signing his name places after it, the cross; to show that he follows Christ. Thus, the priest who baptized my daughters is Julia+.
That a Bishop signing his name precedes it with the cross, to show that in Christ's name he leads the flock. Thus, the bishop who confirmed Anne is +Barry.
An archbishop, or at any rate a primate, follows his name with two crosses, to show that he leads the leaders (an awe-inspiring concept in Anglicanism). Thus, our beloved recently-departed ++Edward Scott, whom no-one would ever recognize by anything but "Ted".

If this understanding is right, then we've been accidentally promoting several clergy in these boards of late.

I'm glad you brought this up since the practice seems to have gotten quite exaggerated with some folks. What you've said above is what I understand to be correct, however, it is a signature that traditionally is handled this way. Priests and bishops may sign with a cross...or not. But we've probably all seen the following mistakes:

Fr. John+
Bishop +William Jones
The Rev. Bill Smith+
+Rev. Tom Thomas

and how about this one?--

"Yesterday at Mass, +Jones was visiting our parish."

Additionally, these are not signatures but typed names. You wouldn't create a formal letter as a clergyman and then put the + after the typed name, only next to your handwritten signature above it. The advent of internet chat rooms and abbreviated terms like BTW and smiley faces no doubt has caused some of this to be used as shorthand, but the custom, I believe, is that this cross useage is optional and done with a signature.

As for primates, etc., the practice is to use a cross with a second (or in the case of the Pope, a third?) crossbar, not separate crosses (+++). But again, that can only be done if you are handwriting it!

[PaladinValer]

**Thinks he will begin to use "+++Rowan Williams" for now on** :D

[Andy Broadley]

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[Iron Sun 254]

$Trump

;)

[PaladinValer]

@ Aoh

;)

[Fish and Bread]

I think what is stated in the initial post is correct, at least as far as priests go. I recently received a letter from a priest and he included a cross after his signature, but it was not included in his typed name below his signature.

John

[Albion]

I think what is stated in the initial post is correct, at least as far as priests go. I recently received a letter from a priest and he included a cross after his signature, but it was not included in his typed name below his signature.

John

Bingo!

[Colabomb]

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satan -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<><>