Question about baptismal record

VP means Vice Pastor which in today's lingo is CC or Catholic Curate. So Fr O'Sullivan would have been the local curate in 1833

Hello Patsy,

The name of the child in the baptism record is Thomas Fenerty, or perhaps Finerty. But, reading further in the baptism record, you’ll find Thomas’s godmother was Honora Finton. The first name of the godfather is hard to decipher, but it may be Martin. His last name looks like O’Brien. He may be the brother of Thomas’s mother, Johanna.

The way I read the Latin in the baptism record is:

Bap a me G.O.S. V.P. Thomas filium legitimum…

The Latin filium legitimum means, "legitimate child or son." The initials V.P. stand for Vicario Parocho.

Translation: “Baptized by me, G.O.S. (perhaps “George” O’Sullivan) Vicar Parochial, Thomas, legitimate child or son of Timotheum Fenerty and Joahanna O’Brien…

Another translation: "I, G.O.S. (George O’Sullivan), Parochial Vicar, baptized Thomas, legitimate child or son of Timothy Fenerty/Finerty and Joahanna O’Brien…"

In the Catholic hierarchy of the diocesan priesthood, the vicar was a grade below the parish priest of the church. In other words the vicar would be akin to the deputy parish priest in the Catholic Church.

Kind Regards,

Dave Boylan

Dear John17 and Dave,   

Thank you both for your reply.  That explains perfectly what I was looking for.

Patsy

You're welcome Patsy.

Best Wishes,

Dave