Q. Why do Catholics call priests “Father”?
A. Excellent question. Catholic priests are called “father” because they are spiritual fathers.
We see the meaning of spiritual fatherhood, for example, in St. Paul, who acknowledged himself as a spiritual father and said to the Corinthians, “For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (1 Cor 4:15).
The Apostles as well as all spiritual fathers can rightly be called “father” because they, along with earthly fathers, participate in the fatherhood of God. Indeed, God the Father is the one “from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth takes its name.” (Eph 3:15)
This question, however, often arises in view of a particular passage from Matthew’s Gospel which, unfortunately, is at times cited in a most unbiblical way, divorced from the rest of scripture and its numerous references, like the ones above, to fathers and fatherhood. The passage is, “And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven” (Mt 23:9). Prohibiting the use of the name “father” for one’s earthly or spiritual father is an erroneous interpretation of this passage. Jesus himself uses the name father for earthly fathers (cf. Mt 15:4; 21:31) and St. Paul for spiritual fathers (cf. Rom 4:16; Phil 2:22; Phm 1:10).
However, this passage does highlight that no father can usurp the ultimate authority and role of God the Father who is the origin and source of all authentic fatherhood.
Consequently, Catholics refer to priests as “father” because a priest is called to be an image of God the Father and an instrument of His divine life especially through the proclamation of the Gospel like St. Paul, the celebration of the sacraments which give God’s life, and the continual practice of pastoral charity which, when lived, shows the Father’s love. In this way a priest is a spiritual father, and so is called, father.
Thanks for letting us priests serve you as your spiritual fathers.
This question was answered by a priest of the Diocese of Lincoln. Write to Ask the Register using our online form, or write to 3700 Sheridan Blvd., Suite 10, Lincoln NE 68506-6100. All questions are subject to editing. Editors decide which questions to publish. Personal questions cannot be answered. People with such questions are urged to take them to their nearest Catholic priest.
