Why do people call Catholic priests "Father"?

Question

I thought they aren't supposed to be anyone's father. Didn't they take a vow of celibacy?

Answer 1

"Why do catholics expect priests to not marry?? They do things that make no sense at all....smoking lanterns, nuns having babies and mummifying them, leaving baby in the attic, I know, ewww, but true, praying to idols (well I guess they cover their butts that way, just pray to everyone), and "Father", I guess they use the title as a control factor. Whatever."

Oh, I see you have obviously studied Catholic religion deeply. Yeah, right. What a bigoted, hateful, and misinformed response.

The church is supposed to be a family; at the head of that family is a father. That's what the title means. It's really no more mysterious than Rabbi, Reverend, or Preacher.

Answer 2

They have been taught wrong by their religious leaders.

Please read and note the context of Matthew 23:1-12. Jesus begins speaking about the Pharisees, who were a prominent sect of Judaism. They were legalists, sticklers for observance of every detail of the Mosaic Law. They liked to dress and act in such a way as to call attention to themselves. Their religion was one of ostentation—their style of clothing, their principal places at meals, their front seats in the synagogues, and their titles of honor. They even claimed greater respect than that which was given parents. They wanted to be called father. However, Jesus shows that all his followers are equal as God’s children. Any title that suggests the opposite is a haughty usurpation of something that belongs to God. Thus, Jesus forbids the use of the word “father” as a title of honor in a religious sense. Jesus insists that his followers have only one Father in the faith, Jehovah.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Though you may have ten thousand tutors in Christ, you certainly do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I have become your father through the good news.” (1 Cor. 4:15, NW)

Paul was not using the term “father” as a title, but as an illustration. He was using the earthly relationship in the human family to show the true picture of his position relative to the Corinthian Christians. Nowhere is he addressed as Father Paul. Peter referred to him as “our beloved brother Paul”. (2 Pet. 3:15) None of the apostles were ever addressed with the title Father. For them to be so addressed by others would have violated Jesus’ command: “Do not call anyone your father on earth, for One is your Father, the heavenly One.” The context shows he was objecting to flattering titles. (Job 32:21, 22; Matt. 23:6-12, NW) Hence Paul’s use of the illustration “father” to accurately portray his relationship to Christian congregations and individuals, and not as a creature-exalting title, was no violation of Matthew 23:9.

Answer 3

They are meant to act as a father figure to the congregation - that is why they do not have children of their own. The Church is supposed to function like a family, and the priest is supposed to act as the father of the family, providing guidance and accountability.

Answer 4

Why do catholics expect priests to not marry?? They do things that make no sense at all....smoking lanterns, nuns having babies and mummifying them, leaving baby in the attic, I know, ewww, but true, praying to idols (well I guess they cover their butts that way, just pray to everyone), and "Father", I guess they use the title as a control factor. Whatever.

Answer 5

Matthew 23:6-9 reads, "They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven."

Are we also not to call anyone "teacher" or "doctor" which is how "rabbi' would translate? I think not.

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 of a lack of humility as the pharisees of Jesus' day.

The Apostle Paul writes:

I am writing you this not to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. Even if you should have countless guides to Christ, yet you do not have many fathers, for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:14-15)

And:

As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his children, exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you conduct yourselves as worthy of the God who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

And:

I urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment, who was once useless to you but is now useful to (both) you and me. (Philemon 10-11)

And finally, Peter calls himself the "father" of Mark:

The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. (1 Peter 5:13)

With love in Christ.

Answer 6

And who's the Mother? And why are nuns sisters . . . are there any brothers??

Answer 7

Obviously they wanted to be called that while they spanked them.

Answer 8

Why did they call Jesus "Rabbi"?