Question

Why is the term 'father' used to address Catholic priests?

Answer 1

they really should change that. calling someone other than either God or your biological father, father.

Answer 2

We only have one Father in Heaven, that is God. We call our priests father because they are our spiritual fathers here, just, as St Paul says, Abraham was the spiritual father of all Jews. Jesus himself referred to Father Abraham in the story of the rich man and Lazarous.. By the way, why have you selected that part of the passage to comment on when it also states, 'do not call anyone teacher"? When you were at school did you call your teacher "teacher"?

Answer 3

they also pray to mary where the bible says to him and him alone u must pray while some catholics say they dont pray to mary but use her as a vessal to pray to god jesus also said to that no one gets to the father except through me

Answer 4

I once made the mistake of marrying a catholic, and according to him, the priests are called "father" because they represent God, the Father on earth. They are given in the church the same capabilities of God, ie, forgiving sins, blessings, etc. They are divine representatives of Diety. So they are called "Father" to show their oneness with God.

Answer 5

You aren't to call anyone on earth "Father" in the same way you call God father. I am not Catholic, but my dad is my father, but not THE Father. . . I believe that is the difference.

Answer 6

That's a good question when you think about it. I went to catholic school (but that was MANY years ago), and if I remember right, it was simply a "representative title" in that he was the "father of the flock", much the same as the communion wafer was representative of the body of Christ. Also, supposedly he is the stand-in to the heavenly Father which is why Catholics confess to him, which I also never understood.

Answer 7

because the priests represent God's humble servants and that they only serve as a human spiritual medium, between our world and God's kingdom.

Answer 8

In context, the Scripture reads, "... And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.". . This is call for humility for those in leadership roles. Not to be taken literally.. . We are not to deny our male parent and cut the Commandment to honor our father and mother in half.. . Some leaders in any church may fall into the same folly as the pharisees of Jesus' day.. . With love in Christ.

Answer 9

Well said Palamino and Paj. We need guys like you to neutralize the ignorance.

Answer 10

because he might be your father