Why Do Catholics Call Priests Father?

Didn’t Jesus say, “Call no man father”? So why do Catholics still call priests “Father”?

In this episode of Ask A Priest, Father Tim explains what Jesus really meant in Matthew 23:9. Looking at Scripture, St. Paul, the early Church, and the meaning of spiritual fatherhood, he shows that Jesus wasn’t banning the word “father”. He was warning against ego, pride, and religious titles used for self-importance.

A priest is called “Father” not because he replaces God the Father, but because he shares in and points back to the fatherhood of God. For priests, the title is meant to be humbling: a reminder to love, serve, sacrifice, and become better spiritual fathers.

There is only one true Father. Priests simply share in His fatherhood, and point us back to Him.

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