VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter
Joshua J. McElwee | Jan. 5, 2014 NCR Today
Pope Francis has reportedly abolished the practice of granting priests the honorary title of “monsignor,” and has communicated the decision through Vatican ambassadors around the world.
From now on, only diocesan priests over the age of 65 will be eligible to receive the title, according to a report Saturday at the Italian newspaper La Stampa’s website Vatican Insider.
The title monsignor is an honorific of sorts normally granted to priests as a reward for service to the church or as a sign of some special function they serve in church governance. The title had usually been granted by the pope on the recommendation of the priest’s local bishop.
Some have criticized the practice, saying it leads to an air of careerism in the church.
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