Calling the Priests "Father" is forbidden?

Question

FACT: Catholics are taught to call their priest, "Father" and the Pope "Holy Father".
"And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." -Matthew 23:9

Answer 1

Is there no end to the simplistic misinterpretations that are possible when one separates onsself from God's Church? What are we supposed to call our male parent then? Mom? And don't tell me the passage refers only to religious leaders. It says NO MAN ON EARTH. That's a pretty wierd way to say "no religious leaders".

Hey, I wonder if Paul read that passage - you know, Paul, the guy who wrote half of the New Testament? Because Paul wrote "Though you might have many teachers, you would not have many fathers, for I BECAME YOUR FATHER through the gospel". Wow! Not only does the great apostle violate the passage you quoted by calling himself "father", he also violates the very next passage in the text, which says "call no man your teacher". (Incidentally, do you have any teachers in your church?)

Or how about Peter, you know, the guy to whom Christ gave the keys to the kingdom? Because Peter refers to Mark as his son, thereby indicating that he saw himself as Mark's father. Not biologically of course - Mark's spiritual father. So you see, the Catholic Church referred to its pastors as "father" even during apostolic times, and has continued this apostolic tradition in every generation since.

If you want the real meaning of the passage you quoted, it means that we are not to give to any man the honor that belongs to God alone, just as the Holy Catholic Church teaches. But we still accept and support those who act as our human pastors, teachers, and spiritual fathers as ministry, in submission to the Supreme Pastor, Teacher and Father, God.

Answer 2

Of course I will assume you know the real meaning of the verses and are merely posting this as a anti catholic and hate of catholics.

But I will address it anyway. Of course we also know that what is being discussed is the issues of any an d all titles, and how it was used by the early church. And also that no catholic priest has a title of father, but it started by the people as a honor to them for what they did for the people.

In the early church many of the church leaders, had people that ran ahead of them in the crowd to annouce they were comming. So that people could stop and give them honor and respect. They expected special places to sit, and special honors if entering your home.

And the term father for a priest came from the several 100 year ago, People in town could not read or write, so the preist would read any legal notice, the priest would advice them, the priest baptised them, and buried them. He was to them thier spiritual father, leading them to God.

So out of love they called them thier father.

So no sorry you are wrong on the meaning, but I will assume you really knew that anyway

Answer 3

I suspect that the word Jesus used was not "father" -- as English didn't exist at the time.

Calling a priest Father is just fine. But you won't catch me calling him that Aramaic word that Jesus said not to use.

Answer 4

Yes, all religious titles including Reverend and Pastor are to be avoided.

The bible even says that a teaching of demons would be to forbid marriage of believers.

Peter was married, and elders were to only have one wife.

elder in this context was not a title, but a job description.

Answer 5

Jesus also said "Honor your father and mother".

Jesus said: "You know the commandments, 'DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.'" (Luke 18:20)

Hope you have a Happy Father's Day!

BTW, Priests are our spiritual Fathers.

Answer 6

As languages go---------Jesus would have probably have used the word ''Av'' for father.

Answer 7

IN response to david dude, answer #2...

perhaps dad? daddy? papa? ehhh???

Answer 8

So what do you call your mother's husband?

Answer 9

Gosh.

Answer 10

I agree . I call them "pastor" , they don't mind.