Sense of proportion

There are some people (including some very good and holy persons) who object to bishops being called "Their Excellencies". They say it is contrary to the spirit of the Gospel. Jesus Christ was never addressed as "Your Excellency", so why should bishops?

By that logic they should also object to cardinals being addressed as "Your Eminence" and the Pope as "Your Holiness". When one meets the Pope, one should just say, "Good morning, John Paul," and when one meets the dreaded Cardinal Ratzinger, one might say," Hi, Ratz."

I was once in a taxicab in Manila and got into conversation with the cab driver. He was a convert to the Iglesia ni Cristo. When we got to our destination I paid the fare and added a generous tip. He said, "Thank you, Father". Then added, "But according to the Bible, no one should be called Father."

True. So the position of those who object to titles like Excellency, Eminence, Holiness, or Father may be said to be a logical position.

But there is something in life that surpasses logic. Recently I received a birthday card from a priest who signed himself Su hijo en el Senior. This priest is far superior to me. He is far more talented that I and far more popular. Yet, because long ago he was a student of mine he calls himself my son.

It is against all logic. But there is something beautiful in human nature far above logic, namely a sense of proportion, of respect, of awe.

It is this sense of awe that impels the Chinese to give great respect to the old. Americans despise the old, the Chinese revere them. Many Filipinos despise teachers, the Chinese have great respect for a teacher, a "chao sho". Because of a sense of awe.

Shakespeare said it long ago. "There’s a divinity doth hedge a king." That same divinity hedges parents, elders and those in authority. Especially those in religious authority.

A priest may not be worthy of it, but he bears the indelible mark of the sacrament of orders. A bishop is the head of a local church, the pastor of the flock. A cardinal is one of a very small group of especially chosen men, a man of eminence. A pope is the Vicar of Christ. So, why not recognize their special status?

Those who believe in an egalitarian society insist that there should be no marks of distinction. The British and other Europeans may have their lords and ladies, the Americans will have none of them. Everyone is plain Tom, Dick and Harry. We have opted to imitate the Americans.

Fine. Not a bad idea. But, though it may be contrary to logic, I will still address the Pope as Your Holiness, and a cardinal as Your Eminence. And a bishop to me is still Su Excelencia Reverendisima.