16-05-2025
We find it never pays to get your vicars in a twist
Derek Bevan of Ingatestone is becoming concerned about our knowledge, or rather ignorance, of ecclesiastical matters. Just weeks after our Mass/Matins mix-up came 'a picture of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in his younger days, describing him as 'a newly ordained reverend'. Newly ordained priest, please!'
The Rev Chris Pettet of Winchester also dressed us down: 'In today's Times there is a picture of the new Pope with John Paul II, with the caption 'as a newly ordained reverend in 1982'. This ubiquitous use of 'reverend' has now, it seems, even reached The Times. For the Roman Catholic Church, as ought to be known by any journalist worth their salt, this should read priest (or perhaps deacon), as reverend is a form of address, not
