“And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.”
Critics argue that Catholics disobey Christ by calling priests “Father.” But is this what Jesus really meant?
Let us examine this deeply—through Scripture, early Christianity, and official Catholic teaching.
📖 1. Understanding the Context of Matthew 23
The key to interpreting Scripture correctly is context.
In Matthew 23, Jesus is condemning the hypocrisy of the Pharisees:
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others… they love the place of honor…” (Matthew 23:5–6)
Jesus also says in the same passage:
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“Call no man your teacher” (Matthew 23:10)
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“You are all brothers” (Matthew 23:8)
❗ Important Question:
If taken literally, should Christians also stop calling anyone “teacher”? Or stop acknowledging biological fathers?
Clearly, Jesus is not banning titles, but condemning pride, abuse of authority, and self-exaltation.
📖 2. The Bible Uses “Father” for Men
If Jesus absolutely forbade calling men “father,” the rest of Scripture would not use it. Yet it does—many times.
✅ Biological Fathers
“Honor your father and your mother” — Exodus 20:12
✅ Spiritual Fathers
Paul the Apostle writes:
“For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” — 1 Corinthians 4:15
“To Timothy, my true child in the faith.” — 1 Timothy 1:2
👉 St. Paul explicitly calls himself a spiritual father.
✅ Other Examples
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Abraham is called “our father” (Romans 4:16)
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Stephen says: “Brothers and fathers, hear me…” (Acts 7:2)
❗ If calling men “father” were sinful, the apostles themselves would be guilty.
📜 3. Early Church Fathers Confirm Spiritual Fatherhood
From the earliest centuries, Christians understood spiritual fatherhood as biblical and necessary.
🧾 Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 107)
“Let everyone respect the bishop as Jesus Christ… and the presbyters as the council of God.”¹
👉 Authority in the Church implies spiritual fatherhood, not mere titles.
🧾 Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180)
“We should obey those presbyters who have succession from the apostles…”²
👉 These leaders were seen as spiritual guides and fathers of the faithful.
🧾 Jerome (c. AD 400)
“A bishop and presbyter are the same… they are called fathers.”³
👉 The title “Father” was already in use in early Christianity.
📘 4. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) Teaching
The Catholic Church does not replace God as Father—but reflects His fatherhood.
📖 Catechism of the Catholic Church
“The ministerial priesthood… is at the service of the common priesthood… acting in the person of Christ.” (CCC 1547)⁴
“The priest… is configured to Christ the Head.” (CCC 1581)⁵
👉 Priests are called “Father” because they participate in God’s spiritual fatherhood, not compete with it.
🧠 5. The Real Meaning of Jesus’ Command
Jesus is using a Hebraic teaching style—a form of exaggeration to emphasize a point.
He is saying:
❌ Do not seek titles for pride
❌ Do not replace God as the ultimate authority
❌ Do not abuse spiritual leadership
But He is NOT saying:
❌ Never use the word “father”
❌ Deny human or spiritual fatherhood
⚖️ 6. Logical Conclusion
If we interpret Matthew 23:9 literally, we would have to:
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Stop calling our biological dads “father” ❌
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Reject St. Paul’s teachings ❌
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Ignore the entire early Church ❌
👉 This leads to contradiction.
But when understood properly:
✅ God is the ultimate Father
✅ Earthly fathers reflect His authority
✅ Priests are spiritual fathers in Christ
🔥 Final Apologetic Conclusion
The Catholic use of “Father” is:
✔ Biblical — used by apostles
✔ Historical — practiced by early Christians
✔ Theological — rooted in God’s fatherhood
Therefore:
👉 Calling priests “Father” is not disobedience to Christ
👉 It is actually obedience to the fullness of Scripture and Tradition
