Roman Catholic Priest
Men are ordained into the Catholic Church through the sacrament of holy orders. Ordained clergy form a three- part hierarchy of bishops, priests and deacons. Only priests and bishops may celebrate the eucharist and administer the sacraments of penance and anointing the sick.
In the Roman/Latin rite, only celibate men are ordinarily ordained as priests, whereas in the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, married men may be ordained as priests. Married men may become deacons. Marriage is not allowed, however, after ordination as a deacon or priest has taken place. Only celibate men may be ordained as bishops.
Married Anglican vicars, however, may be reordained as Roman Catholic priests.
How to Address a Roman Catholic Priest
| Beginning of letter |
Dear Reverend Father (formal) or Dear Father Rose (social) |
| End of letter | Yours sincerely |
| Envelope |
The Reverend John Smith or The Reverend Fr Rose |
| Verbal communication |
Verbal: Father Conversation: Father Rose |
