Originally Posted by
Courtney Mil
This raises a very topical issue. Please, someone tell me the answer to this. As an Air Force brat and then serving member for 30 years, I find I can only address vicars as "Padre". Now, I've just lost my Mum and Dad-in-law and have found myself addressing a female vicar. Can I say "Padre" or what should I say?
Courtney, assuming CofE, on first meeting simply address the vicar as "vicar". If RC then "father". Most are pretty down to earth these days and, particularly in your circumstance, will most likely go by 1st name after introduction. If all of that feels uncomfortable then Padre certainly would work - may even act as a useful ice-breaker; you never know they may have been a HMF Chaplin. Sorry to hear of your loss.
Tom