Religious & Social Mindfulness
Religious Presence
The following section on religion and Catholicism is a guide provided by the 2022–2024 Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, 56th Edition. For further details, consult the current AP Stylebook.
Religious Terminology
Official name of the IHMs: Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Use “IHM Sisters” or "Sisters," capitalized, on second reference.
Capitalize the names of religious orders: He is a Jesuit priest.
Do not use the word "former" for archbishop or bishop; use "retired."
Titles of God and persons of the Trinity are always capitalized.
- The Father
- The Son
- The Holy Spirit
Titles given to Jesus and Mary are always capitalized.
- Jesus, Christ our Lord
- The Virgin Mary
Titles of prayers are capitalized: Memorare, Our Father, Hail Mary
Parts of the Mass are capitalized: Liturgy of the Word, Gloria, Doxology
The names of sacramentals, such as “rosary” or “scapular,” are lowercase.
“Rosary” is capitalized when it refers to the prayer and not the object. The Rosary is recited or “said”, not “read.”
The word “Church” itself is capitalized as a noun when referring to the Roman, Catholic and Universal Church. “Church” as an adjective is lowercase (example: “church teaching,” “church leaders.”)
Capitalize Archdiocese/Diocese when part of formal name (Archdiocese of Philadelphia).
Mass is "celebrated" not "said." The word “priest” is not a formal title, it is a vocational description and should not be capitalized.
Spell out and capitalize the word Sister/Mother before an individual’s name: Sister Antoine Lawlor or Mother Loyola. If no surname is given, the name is the same in all references: Sister Agnes Rita. If a surname is used in first reference, drop the given name on second reference: "Sister Mary Ann Walsh" on first reference, "Walsh" in subsequent references. If the Sister is an IHM, add it at the end in all caps with no periods, following a comma: Sister Antoine Lawlor, IHM.
Social Mindfulness
The following is a guide on how to sensitively and respectfully refer to people of different backgrounds, as provided by the 2022–2024 Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, 56th Edition. Avoid stereotypes and broad generalizations about different groups. Whenever possible, discuss with others of diverse backgrounds and ask individuals how they describe themselves. One person does not represent an entire group, and not all members of groups agree on how they wish to be identified. Consider what language is most appropriate, accurate and fair.
For further details, check the current AP Stylebook or the Conscious Style Guide at consciousstyleguide.com.
Ethnicities and Nationalities
Race: Consider carefully when deciding whether to identify people by race. Often, it is an irrelevant factor. However, there are occasions when race is pertinent, such as historical significance (example: Barack Obama was the first Black U.S. president), when a physical description is needed or reporting on a conflict involving race (like a civil rights issue).
It’s acceptable to use biracial or multiracial when clearly relevant to describe people with more than one racial heritage. Avoid using the term mixed-race. Also avoiding using brown, which is a broad and imprecise term in racial, ethnic or cultural references unless part of a direct quote. Subsequently, avoid using Caucasian as a synonym for white, unless in a quotation.
White: The AP lowercases the term white in racial, ethnic and cultural senses.
Black: Use the capitalized term as an adjective in a racial, ethnic or cultural sense (Black people, Black literature, Black colleges). African American is also acceptable for those in the U.S. However, the terms are not interchangeable as Americans of Caribbean heritage generally refer to themselves as Caribbean American.
Arab American (no hyphen needed): It is acceptable usage for an American of Arab descent. When possible, refer to a person’s country of origin. Don’t assume that everyone from a predominantly Arab country identifies as Arab.
Asian American (no hyphen needed): It is acceptable usage for an American of Asian descent. When possible, refer to a person’s country of origin. Avoid using Asian as shorthand for Asian Americans when possible. Do not use the term Oriental when referring to East Asian nations and their peoples; Asian is the acceptable term for an inhabitant of those regions.
Latino, Latina, Latinx: Latino is often the preferred noun or adjective for a person from, or whose ancestors were from, a Spanish-speaking land or culture or from Latin America. Latina is the feminine form; Latinas is the plural. For groups of males or of mixed gender, use the plural Latinos. Latinx is the gender-neutral term and should be confined to quotations, names of organizations or descriptions of individuals who request it. Hispanic is also generally acceptable for those in the U.S., but if possible, use specific identification, such as Cuban, Puerto Rican.
Native American, American Indians: Both terms are acceptable in general reference for those in the U.S. when referring to two or more people of different tribal affiliations. The term Natives is acceptable on second reference. For individuals, use the name of the tribe (example: he is a Navajo commissioner).
Note: Indian is used to describe the peoples and cultures of the South Asian nation of India. Do not use the term as a shorthand for American Indians.
Gender, Sex and Sexual Orientation
Language around gender is ever-evolving. When possible, use gender-neutral terminology, such as "first-year students" instead of "freshmen," "humanity" instead of "mankind" and "laypeople" instead of "laymen."
Gender: refers to internal and social identity and often corresponds with, but is not synonymous with, sex.
Gender-nonconforming: acceptable in broad references to describe people whose identities or expressions do not follow gender norms.
Sex: Refers to biological characteristics, which can also vary or change in understanding over time or be medically and legally altered. Sex often corresponds with but is not synonymous with gender, which is a social construct.
Note: not all people use gendered pronouns such as his or hers. Such pronouns are often an example of gender expression, but they do not always align with typical or stereotypical expectations of gender and are not certain indicators of someone’s gender identity, which is a person’s sense of feeling male, female, neither or some combination of both.
Use the terms boy/girl only when referring to males and females younger than 18.
Sexual orientation: Avoid the term sexual preference and mention a person’s sexual orientation only when relevant to the subject matter and do so only if the information is verified. Additionally, avoid references to a gay or alternative lifestyle. Don’t use homosexual to describe people, though homosexuality is acceptable as a noun for the concept of same-sex attraction.
Gay is acceptable as a plural noun when necessary (example: the gay community), but use the singular gay only as an adjective not a noun. Lesbian is acceptable as an adjective or as a noun in singular or plural form.
Socioeconomic Status
According to the American Psychological Association, "socioeconomic status encompasses not only income but also educational attainment, occupational prestige, and subjective perceptions of social status and social class." Use language that focuses on people's strengths rather than deficits. Avoid terms such as "the poor," "needy" or "in need" and instead use "people experiencing poverty," "people with limited incomes" and "economic hardship."
Disabilities
Language about disabilities is both wide-ranging and evolving. The term disabilities and disabled include a broad range of physical, psychological, developmental and intellectual conditions, both visible and invisible.
People with disabilities and disabled people: both terms are acceptable. Do not use euphemisms such as handi-capable, differently abled or physically challenged unless in a direct quote or in explaining how an individual describes themselves.
Avoid writing that implies ableism, which is the belief that abilities of people who aren’t disabled are superior.
Note: do not use handicap for a disability or handicapped for a person. Also, limit the use of the terms disorder, impairment, abnormality and special. Avoid words that suggest pity, such as afflicted with, battling or suffers from. Instead use has cancer, being treated for ADHD.