View Full Version : Father Bennett??
Hoovie
03-28-2011, 10:17 AM
I have worked for a Catholic Parsonage and when the priest is home I struggle with knowing what to call him. I am not big on titles, but I try to be respectful and always call ministers as they prefer, Pastor, Brother, Reverend... but somehow "Father" seems to cross the line. I have called him Father a time or two, as well as Mr. .
What say you?
rgcraig
03-28-2011, 10:23 AM
It's his title, so I wouldn't have a problem with calling him Father John.
To me it's no different than calling David Bernard - Bro. Bernard.
missourimary
03-28-2011, 10:51 AM
I've faced the same (or similar) difficulty, Hoovie. And I have no idea what the answer is. I expect it varies person to person. Usually I revert to "Sir" when I'm uncomfortable, and avoid proper names entirely.
NotforSale
03-28-2011, 10:56 AM
It's his title, so I wouldn't have a problem with calling him Father John.
To me it's no different than calling David Bernard - Bro. Bernard.
Agree
Azzan
03-28-2011, 11:04 AM
I'd go with 'Father'.
BeenThinkin
03-28-2011, 11:12 AM
I'd go with 'Father'.
How about "pop" ..... oops, that should be with a capital P ..."Pop!" Just kidding.... :heeheehee
Did you hear about the priest that was asked to do a thorough check on the translations of the Bible. They found him sitting in the floor sobbing.
When asked what was wrong he stated, "It was celebrate ..... not celibate!" :happydance
Been Thinkin
I used to have an issue with that as the Bible says to call no man on earth your father. However, I think the idea is not that you are calling him YOUR father. You just just calling him by his professional title, like doctor or whatever.
I agree with Algae. I have no problem calling a priest Father as a title. God knows that I am not calling him my heavenly Father.
Pressing-On
03-28-2011, 12:34 PM
"Father Bennett, not that you are a father. I mean, my father. I already have a father. But, a father to your religion, which, even though those people have actual fathers, they call you father because you are father of the faithful. I mean, not all the faithful, because not everyone is of your faith, but those that believe what you believe, you understand. Now, about that question I had for you...."
Father is his "Mr.". Hope that helps. :D
BeenThinkin
03-28-2011, 12:47 PM
"Father Bennett, not that you are a father. I mean, my father. I already have a father. But, a father to your religion, which, even though those people have actual fathers, they call you father because you are father of the faithful. I mean, not all the faithful, because not everyone is of your faith, but those that believe what you believe, you understand. Now, about that question I had for you...."
Father is his "Mr.". Hope that helps. :D
Boy, I'm glad you put that last line there. Until you put that line in, "I WAS CONFUSED!" haha :happydance
Been Thinkin
Pressing-On
03-28-2011, 12:58 PM
Boy, I'm glad you put that last line there. Until you put that line in, "I WAS CONFUSED!" haha :happydance
Been Thinkin
:heeheehee
I'm applying a floor leveler to a pine floor (filling in the grooves). The smell must be getting to me. LOL!
Dagwood
03-28-2011, 01:28 PM
For me, it's a simple matter of respect even though I may not agree with the title given.
In the same manner, I may not agree with the ideology behind what some consider modest apparel but would certainly dress "the part" if I had company coming over or if I was going to visit them in their home.
All I know is that I am better than all of you because I was blessed by the Pope in person when I was 17.
Hoovie
03-28-2011, 04:26 PM
All I know is that I am better than all of you because I was blessed by the Pope in person when I was 17.
Did he touch you? Or was that just a group blessing at the Vatican?
MissBrattified
03-28-2011, 04:33 PM
I would be fine with saying "Father" Bennett.
RandyWayne
03-28-2011, 09:37 PM
Would it be ok to simply call him "the old man"?
Praxeas
03-28-2011, 09:52 PM
I have worked for a Catholic Parsonage and when the priest is home I struggle with knowing what to call him. I am not big on titles, but I try to be respectful and always call ministers as they prefer, Pastor, Brother, Reverend... but somehow "Father" seems to cross the line. I have called him Father a time or two, as well as Mr. .
What say you?
Padre? Conquistador? father with a lower case F?
He probably doesn't expect anyone that is not catholic to call him father anyway.
Praxeas
03-28-2011, 10:21 PM
He probably doesn't expect anyone that is not catholic to call him father anyway.
There may be some butthead priests out there demanding to be called that but I think you might find a lot ok with a protestant not using that title but still attempting to be respectful
Hoovie
03-28-2011, 10:50 PM
I have used the term - mostly because the receptionist and other people do it. I did not get the feeling they demanded it.
What did Jesus mean when he said to call no Earthly man "Father"?
I understand he did not mean physical parent... But that does leave "spiritual Father" doesn't it?
Along those same lines I really dislike the term "Reverend" as well.
Hoovie
03-28-2011, 11:09 PM
Padre? Conquistador? father with a lower case F?
Whether just a courteous title or spiritual leader standing in Christ's stead... it would be capitalized, right?
Hoovie
03-28-2011, 11:21 PM
Paul did use the term here...
For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:14–15).
Praxeas
03-28-2011, 11:44 PM
Whether just a courteous title or spiritual leader standing in Christ's stead... it would be capitalized, right?
All proper nouns are capitalized
pelathais
03-29-2011, 02:23 AM
Paul did use the term here...
For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:14–15).
I don't see Matthew 23:9, as being a prohibition against specifically calling another human being "FAH-THUR," the way some do. It's as if some folks think Jesus was speaking English and forbidding the use of these two specific syllables. I see the same thing with the word "FOOL" all the time. "Call no man a "FOOL"..." (Galatians 3:1).
In the case of "Father," Paul used this very word to respectfully address the leaders of a religious faith other than his own (Acts 22:1). If it's good enough for the Apostle Paul then it's good enough for me.
Hoovie
03-29-2011, 06:28 AM
I don't see Matthew 23:9, as being a prohibition against specifically calling another human being "FAH-THUR," the way some do. It's as if some folks think Jesus was speaking English and forbidding the use of these two specific syllables. I see the same thing with the word "FOOL" all the time. "Call no man a "FOOL"..." (Galatians 3:1).
In the case of "Father," Paul used this very word to respectfully address the leaders of a religious faith other than his own (Acts 22:1). If it's good enough for the Apostle Paul then it's good enough for me.
Good. I have an employee that actually is a fool.:spit
I don't see Matthew 23:9, as being a prohibition against specifically calling another human being "FAH-THUR," the way some do. It's as if some folks think Jesus was speaking English and forbidding the use of these two specific syllables. I see the same thing with the word "FOOL" all the time. "Call no man a "FOOL"..." (Galatians 3:1).
In the case of "Father," Paul used this very word to respectfully address the leaders of a religious faith other than his own (Acts 22:1). If it's good enough for the Apostle Paul then it's good enough for me.
Very good case, pelathais!
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