Forms of Address

Forms of Address

Office	Inside Address, Envelope or Formal Listing	Written Greeting	Conversation
Archbishop	The Most ReverendChristian name Surname	Dear Archbishop or Dear Archbishop Surname	Archbishop
Bishops	The Right Reverend Christian name Surname	Dear Bishop or Dear Bishop Surname	Bishop
The Dean	The Very Reverend Christian name Surname	Dear Dean Surname	Dean
Archdeacons	The Venerable Christian name Surname	Dear Archdeacon Surname or Dear Archdeacon	Archdeacon
Canons	The Reverend Canon Christian name Surname	Dear Canon Surname	Canon
Priests and Deacons	The Reverend Christian name Surname	Dear Christian name Dear Mr/Dr/Mrs/Ms Surname or Dear Father Surname*	Mr/Dr/Mrs/Ms or Father*

*Do not use “Father” unless absolutely sure that the priest wishes to be called Father

The abbreviation of titles is acceptable. In the Diocese of Perth it is preferred that the full title be used (as per above).

Examples of abbreviation are:

• The Most Revd
• The Rt Revd
• The Very Revd
• The Ven
• The Revd Canon
• The Revd
  

'Reverend', 'Right Reverend', 'Very Reverend', 'Most Reverend' and 'Venerable', whether abbreviated or not, should always be preceded by the definite article (“The”).

The form “Reverend Surname”, “The Reverend Surname” or “Reverend” should never be used.

Correspondence to clergy and their spouse should be addressed:
The Reverend Christian name Surname and Mrs Christian name Surname

Correspondence to a married couple both of whom are in holy orders should be addressed:
The Reverend Christian name Surname and The Reverend Christian name Surname