Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe Osemhantie Ãmos
The distinction between “Reverend Father” (Rev. Fr.) and “Very Reverend Father” (Very Rev. Fr.) is often misunderstood both within and outside ecclesiastical circles. In many local Churches, the title “Very Reverend Father” is frequently “assumed” to denote a higher degree of priesthood, greater holiness, advanced academic attainment, or seniority in ministry. Such assumptions, however, find little support in Catholic ecclesiology, canon law, or the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. The Church’s theological tradition consistently teaches that while the priesthood itself is sacramental and ontological, titles such as “Reverend” and “Very Reverend” are primarily juridical and functional.
The Catholic Church understands the priesthood primarily through participation in the one priesthood of Christ. The Second Vatican Council teaches that priests, through the sacrament of Holy Orders, are configured to Christ the Head and Shepherd and become co-workers of the episcopal order in the service of the People of God (Vatican II, 1964/1965, Lumen Gentium, nos. 28–29; Presbyterorum Ordinis, nos. 2–7). Consequently, the fundamental ecclesial identity of a priest derives not from titles but from sacramental ordination. Every validly ordained priest participates equally in the sacerdotal character of the presbyterate. The Church therefore recognizes only three grades of Holy Orders: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1992, nos. 1554–1568; Code of Canon Law [CIC], 1983, c. 1009). Within this sacramental framework, “Reverend Father” and “Very Reverend Father” belong not to ontology but to ecclesiastical governance and canonical administration.
The designation “Reverend Father” emerged from the Church’s ancient understanding of priests as spiritual fathers. St. Paul referred to himself as a spiritual father to the Christian communities he founded (1 Cor. 4:15), a notion subsequently developed by the Fathers of the Church, especially St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine, and St. Gregory the Great. The title “Father” reflects the priest’s role in generating supernatural life through preaching, baptism, Eucharistic celebration, reconciliation, and pastoral governance. Vatican II reaffirmed this understanding by teaching that priests exercise a genuine paternal office among the faithful through the ministry of the Word and Sacraments (Presbyterorum Ordinis, no. 6). The appellation “Reverend” derives from the Latin reverendus (“worthy of reverence”) and became attached to ordained clergy throughout the Western Church. Thus, every priest acquires the style “Reverend Father” immediately upon ordination because the title is rooted in his sacramental identity rather than in any administrative appointment.
The appellation “Very Reverend Father,” however, belongs to a different theological category. It is connected not to the sacrament of Orders but to ecclesiastical office. Catholic ecclesiology distinguishes between potestas ordinis (the power of orders) and potestas regiminis (the power of governance). While all priests possess the former by ordination, certain priests receive additional responsibilities through canonical appointment. According to the Code of Canon Law, offices such as Vicar General (cc. 475–481), Episcopal Vicar (c. 476), Judicial Vicar (c. 1420), Dean or Vicar Forane (cc. 553–555), and certain major superiors of religious institutes involve significant participation in diocesan or institutional governance. Historically and by widespread ecclesiastical custom, the style “Very Reverend” is attached to priests occupying such offices.
The following offices are commonly associated with the appellation “Very Reverend Father” in the Latin Church: Vicars General, Episcopal Vicars, Judicial Vicars, Vicars Forane (Deans), Diocesan Chancellors (if a priest), Cathedral Rectors in certain dioceses, Seminary Rectors, Rectors or Presidents of ecclesiastical universities or faculties, Abbots and Priors in monastic traditions, Provincials of clerical religious institutes,
Superiors of religious provinces, and other major superiors exercising ordinary governance within institutes of consecrated life. In some particular Churches, members of cathedral chapters or senior diocesan curial officials may also be styled Very Reverend according to legitimate custom.
A key canonical clarification is that academic office does not automatically confer the title “Very Reverend Father.” Priests who teach in seminaries, Catholic universities, or ecclesiastical faculties remain “Reverend Fathers” unless they simultaneously hold an ecclesiastical office that carries the style “Very Reverend.” The Code of Canon Law recognizes teaching as a genuine ecclesial ministry (cf. CIC, cc. 229, 253), and Vatican II strongly emphasizes theological formation and intellectual service (
Optatam Totius, Gravissimum Educationis). However, neither Scripture, the Council, nor canon law equates academic appointment with governance authority or with honorific elevation in clerical style. Consequently, a priest may properly be designated “Rev. Fr. Prof.” or “Rev. Fr. Dr.” without ever becoming “Very Rev. Fr.”
This distinction is grounded in the Church’s theology of office. While potestas ordinis is received once and for all in ordination, potestas regiminis is conferred through canonical mission and ecclesiastical appointment (CIC, c. 129). Vatican II consistently affirms that ecclesiastical offices exist for service rather than privilege (Christus Dominus, nos. 8–17; Lumen Gentium, no. 27). The title “Very Reverend” therefore indicates not a superior priesthood but a delegated participation in the governance and pastoral coordination of the Church.
The distinction is neither sacramental nor ontological but functional and juridical. A Vicar General styled “Very Reverend Father” and a parish priest styled “Reverend Father” possess identical sacramental powers: both consecrate the Eucharist, absolve sins, anoint the sick, and preach the Gospel by virtue of Holy Orders. The difference lies solely in canonical responsibility and ecclesiastical office.
Above all these, Catholic ecclesiology resists reducing priestly identity to titles. From the apostolic tradition through the Fathers of the Church and the Second Vatican Council, the emphasis remains on communion, mission, and service. Whether addressed as Reverend Father, Very Reverend Father, Monsignor, or Professor, the dignity of the priesthood is grounded not in ecclesiastical style but in sacramental configuration to Christ the Eternal High Priest.
Fr. Dr. Okhueleigbe, Osemhantie Ãmos is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Uromi, Edo State & a Lecturer at the Catholic Institute of West Africa, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. You can message him via: Frokhueleigbe@gmail.com
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