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I am dealing in business with a priest that people call "Father John"(name has been changed to protect identities). I am not a religous person and feel awkward addressing him this way. Is it appropriate for me to drop the father?

My dad whom I was very close with passed away 7 years ago and it just dosn't seem right calling someone else father. Not to mention this is not a religon I participate in.

2006-06-27 00:41:02 · 24 answers · asked by marshmallow 2 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

24 answers

No...it's usually polite and traditional. I have a Priest friend I call "John" and a Doctor Friend I call "Len."

In church I call him Father John and in the doctor office I call him Dr. "Jones."

I call my father-in-law "Dad" but he's not my father. I call my elderly neighbor "Grandpa" but he's not my grandfather. Mother Teresa wasn't a mother and my wife is not the excretion of a honey-bee.

People have called me "sh*t-head" but my noggin is filled with dura mater like everybody else.

I suspect that your Dad had issues with the religion.

2006-06-27 01:01:45 · answer #1 · answered by 4999_Basque 6 · 1 1

Understand that it is just a silly method in which one addresses these individuals and accept that it is merely a silly title they use for themselves. Calling him Father John is not a big deal, you just need to disassociate the word Father from your true father. After all I'm sure you called your father dad not father anyway.

As a priest he may well become offended if you drop his title, especially since you are a woman and are therefore considered subservient in that religion.

2006-06-27 01:19:34 · answer #2 · answered by ZCT 7 · 0 0

Priests always understand why non-Catholics may not want to address them as Father. If appropriate, just call him John; or if you're not on a first-name basis, then Reverend also works.

2006-06-27 00:51:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0 0

Yes. It's a title he worked hard to get it, he studied to archive his title, believing or no on his religion, calling him father, has nothing to do about you calling your real father that passed away 7 years ago. On your case, is even more appropriate to call him father, to keep a high level of respect because of your business.
When people are doing business they call each other by their titles. If you were doing business, with a doctor, would be more appropriate, and professional, to call him or her by Dr. Bla Bal Bla, the same thing about the priest. If you were one of the priest followers, wouldn't be a big problem on call him by his name, the same thing about the doctor, if you were one of his patiente wouldn't big such a mistake, on call the doctor by only his name.
Every time you face people whom carry titles, is more appropriate to call them by his title.
Another example: People whom work with the president, must refer him directly as president or president bla bla bla, never call him directly by his name. Even for those whom he doesn't represents its country, should refer him as president. Independent of his being or not their president, people should refer him as president because is a tiltle and title comes from achivment, his voters are free to call him just by his name.
On your case, the title is indispensable because the relationship between the both of you, is buisness.

2006-06-27 01:05:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Most people would be offended if you call a Priest hey Mr John. But if you explain the circumstances perhaps the company you work for wont fire you. For disrespecting a customer. And no I am not catholic. :D have a great day!

2006-06-27 00:45:39 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0 0

I am Catholic and I have close friend who is a priest...at church I called him "Father ----" but away from church or in emails I call him by his initials, b/c he has the same first name as my husband and since he is friends with both of us it got confusing. Long story short...unless he is a good friend, I would call him "Father" all the time.

2006-06-28 06:16:40 · answer #6 · answered by catholicmargaret 1 · 0 0

No. He should be respected as anyone should but he is not your father even in a religious sense

You could use the title sir or pastor but even the Bible says:
Matthew 23:9
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

2006-06-27 01:07:57 · answer #7 · answered by beek 7 · 0 0

I suppose it is a courtesy to the priest to call him that, but I would not use it if it felt uncomfortable. His ego might suffer, but he shouldn't have such a big ego in the first place.

2006-06-27 00:45:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Called no man father your father is in heaven

2006-06-27 00:46:36 · answer #9 · answered by grayladygranny 3 · 0 0

That is the catholic tradition, but the bible says call no man thy father for thou art only one father who art in heaven.

2006-06-27 00:46:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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