2006-06-21 08:35:02 · 16 answers · asked by Snurpy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholic doctrine is pretty wacked. Jesus said that we are not to call anyone else "Father" on this earth other than God the father, and also Mary IS NOT THE MOTHER OF GOD! She was chosen by God to deliver the Messiah to the earth. She is not eternal and should not be prayed to.
2006-06-21 08:42:43 · answer #1 · answered by phil 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because the job of the priest is that of a Father, and the job of a nun is that of an older sister.
They call the head nun Mother Superior because she is over all the "sisters" in the convent. Her "motherliness" has nothing to do with the congregation.
2006-06-21 08:42:44 · answer #2 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do you assume that a priest an a nun are equivelent, a priest is a lot higher than a nun ( he can preform mass), so they get the more senior title, while a head nun can be called a mother
2006-06-21 08:39:52 · answer #3 · answered by pj2024 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Presbyters (priests in English) are called father, following the example of the apostles. Most people don't read the scriptures closely. Originally only bishops were called father. The bishops are direct successors to the apostles through ordination (See Act 1:46 for the first apostolic successor Mathias, the first bishop to succeed an apostle). Later priests, and in the East, deacons were called father.
Monks and nuns are called brothers and sisters respectively. It is important to realize that father, brother and sister are not titles. The abbess of an abbey is called mother. Monks and nuns are not ordained, as such they are not connected to the apostolic ministry. Their ordination is their baptism into the priesthood of all believers. Hence they are brothers and sisters to us.
2006-06-21 09:04:04 · answer #4 · answered by OPM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually nuns are symbolically married to Jesus (hence the ring on their fingers), since Jesus is the son of God the nuns ‘become’ (from the Catholic’s perspective) sisters to the faithful.
Like one poster said, the head nun is known as ‘Mother’ but mother of all the sisters not as mother to you, like the priest is supposed to be (they call the priest ‘Father’ because he ‘represents’ God or is God’s ambassador to you).
2006-06-21 08:42:31 · answer #5 · answered by Eli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The top nun is called Mother Superior
2006-06-21 08:38:03 · answer #6 · answered by Awesome Bill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The head nun is actually called a mother.
2006-06-21 08:37:40 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Nun who is at the head of the order the Abbess is indeed called Mother Superior!!! Just as in a monastery the rank and file are referred to as Brother and the head of the order is referred to as Father or Abbott
2006-06-21 08:39:50 · answer #8 · answered by irartist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Monks are called Brother. Officiating priests called "father" are not in monastic orders. Heads of convents are called "mother."
2006-06-21 08:39:13 · answer #9 · answered by dullguy2001 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Or maybe they should call priests brothers, that would make more sense since it says in the bible to call no man your father. But you're right, a lot of things catholics do don't make sense.
2006-06-21 08:38:50 · answer #10 · answered by finlandssvensk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋