The passage that some use to support the idea that Catholics shouldn’t call a priest “father” is found in Matthew 23:9 wherein Jesus commanded his followers to call no man “teacher” or “father.” This passage is commonly cited against the Catholic practice of calling priests “father.” However, when we look at this passage in context, we see that Jesus is not prohibiting the use of the word “father” but rather rebuking religious leaders who do not serve their people as a father serves his family. He is rebuking the Pharisees of his time because they were called “rabbi” (which literally means “teacher” or “great one”) and accepted the religious honor without embracing the sacrifice and humility that is supposed to go along with it. Jesus was commanding his disciples (later Apostles) to not be like that. He didn’t want them to think they were greater than the people they were shepherding. He wanted them to think of themselves as servants of the people. The same goes for religious leaders today.
Clearly the titles of “rabbi” and “father” are not prohibited in and of themselves. Jesus accepted the title of “rabbi” on many occasions. Jesus called Abraham “father.” (Matthew 3:9) St Stephen called the Jewish leaders “fathers” just before he was martyred by them. (Acts 7:2) Are we to believe that St Stephen disobeyed Jesus by calling men his “fathers” just before he was martyred? St Paul also called the Jewish leaders “fathers.” (Acts 21:40; Acts 22:1) Are we to believe St Paul was disobeying Jesus Christ by doing this? St Paul also refers to St Timothy as his “beloved son in faith.” – (1st Timothy 1:2, emphasis mine) If Timothy is a “son” in the faith, then what do we suppose Timothy called St Paul in the faith? St Paul specifically told the Corinthian Christians that he “became” their “father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” – (1st Corinthians 4:14-15) He said the same to his disciple Philemon. (Philemon 10)
When we read the writings of the early Christians of the first few centuries, it becomes clear that the practice of referring to Christian leaders as “father” was commonplace. This is because the early Christians understood Jesus’ prohibition on the use of the title “father” in its appropriate context. Jesus was addressing arrogance in leadership. He was not prohibiting the use of certain titles. We Catholics call our priests “father” because that’s how we look at them. We see them as paternal guardians of our parish family. They serve the role of a “father” in this spiritual setting. In Catholic Christianity, we look at the Church as one big family. We address priests as “fathers,” nuns as “sisters” and monks as “brothers.” We don’t do this because we think they are somehow superior, nor do they think they are superior. Rather, we do it simply as a sign of family affection.
Was this short article helpful? If so, consider getting the book: Are Catholics Christian? by Shane Schaetzel. This short article is an excerpt from the book Are Catholics Christian? which has been used by clergy and catechists throughout North America in OCIA (RCIA) and other Catholic education programs. You can get the whole thing, in one short book, by clicking here.
Shane Schaetzel is an author of Catholic books and an Evangelical convert to the Catholic Church through Anglicanism. His articles have been featured on LifeSiteNews, The Remnant Newspaper, Forward in Christ, and Catholic Online. You can read Shane’s books at ShaneSchaetzel.Com
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