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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

ILG
03-28-2011, 11:13 AM
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.

CC1
03-28-2011, 12:24 PM
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.

CC1
03-28-2011, 04:06 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.

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?

shag
03-28-2011, 10:17 PM
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

ILG
03-29-2011, 07:59 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.

Very good case, pelathais!