Call No Man "Father"?

 

I can’t help but feel a mix of amusement and frustration whenever a non-Catholic or anti-Catholic tries to use a so-called "proof text" from the Bible to claim that the Catholic Church is wrong, pagan, or even evil. They’ll point to verses like "call no man father" (Matthew 23:9) and declare, "See? It says it right here, 'call no man father' and you call priests father! The Catholic Church is contradicting Jesus and the Scriptures! The Church is wrong! It’s the Antichrist! How do you explain THAT?"

Well, first, let’s remember that the Catholic Church gave us the Bible. Why would the Church authorize a book that supposedly disproves its own teachings? And secondly, the Church has been around for over 2,000 years—do you really think this question has never come up before? Of course, the Church has an answer. There's not one question you can ask or one objection you can bring up that the Catholic Church doesn't have an answer to. And now with Google in the palm of our hands everywhere you go, there's no reason for this ignorance, you can always just look it up. Google it!

So, let’s dive into what the Church actually teaches and explore the context of these biblical passages to understand the fuller picture.

The question of why Catholics call priests "father" often arises from a concern about Jesus' words in Matthew 23:9, where He says, "And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." At first glance, this passage seems to prohibit the use of the title "father" for anyone other than God. However, a deeper understanding of the biblical context, Church Tradition, and the teachings of the Church clarifies why Catholics use this title.

Biblical Context and Interpretation

1. Context of Matthew 23:9:

   • In Matthew 23:9, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and their prideful desire for titles and honors that exalted them above others. His warning is against using titles in a manner that elevates one’s status and detracts from the ultimate authority of God the Father.
   • Throughout the Bible, the term "father" is used to describe spiritual and biological relationships. For example, St. Paul refers to himself as a spiritual father when he writes, "For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Corinthians 4:15). Paul also refers to "our father Abraham" (Romans 4:12). Clearly, Jesus was not forbidding the use of the term "father" in all contexts, but rather cautioning against the misuse of such titles.

2. Other Scriptural Examples:

   • The Bible is filled with examples of spiritual fatherhood. In the Old Testament, Elisha refers to Elijah as "my father" (2 Kings 2:12). In the New Testament, St. Stephen refers to the patriarchs as "our fathers" (Acts 7:2), and St. John writes to "fathers" in the faith (1 John 2:13-14).

The Tradition of the Church

1. Church Fathers:

   • The use of the term "father" for spiritual leaders has been a consistent practice since the early Church. St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, and other Church Fathers were often referred to as "Father" because of their role in guiding and nurturing the faith of their communities.
   • St. Jerome, in his writings, uses the term "father" to address spiritual leaders, emphasizing the role of spiritual paternity that priests and bishops play in the Church.

2. Catechism of the Catholic Church:

   • The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1549-1551) explains that the priest, as a spiritual father, acts "in persona Christi" (in the person of Christ) during the sacraments. The title "father" reflects this spiritual fatherhood, which is modeled after God the Father, who is the source of all life and authority.

3. Church Councils:

   • The tradition of calling priests "father" is also affirmed in the decisions of various Church Councils, which have upheld the role of priests as spiritual leaders and guides in the Christian community. This practice reflects the respect and honor given to those who serve as representatives of Christ on earth.

Addressing Claims of Pagan Origins

The title "father" as used for priests does not derive from paganism. The practice has its roots in both the Old and New Testaments and was adopted by the early Church to express the spiritual fatherhood of priests. Unlike pagan practices, which often involved titles to assert dominance or divinity, the use of "father" in the Christian context emphasizes humility, service, and spiritual guidance.

Conclusion

The Catholic practice of calling priests "father" is deeply rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and the teachings of the Church. Far from being an act of disobedience to Christ’s words in Matthew 23:9, it is a recognition of the spiritual fatherhood that priests exercise in their ministry. The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, has long upheld this practice as a means of honoring those who shepherd the faithful in the image of Christ, the Good Shepherd.

Sources:

• Holy Bible: Matthew 23:9, 1 Corinthians 4:15, 1 John 2:13-14, Romans 4:12.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1549-1551.
• St. Augustine, Confessions.
• St. Jerome, Letters.
• Second Vatican Council, Lumen Gentium