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blueriver
Guest
Do we have to call priests Father or can we call them by their name only?
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Oneofthewomen
Guest
Technically, I believe that a priest should be addressed as “Father______”, first name or last name, depending on the priest’s preference.
I have many priests who I am friends with and I often refer to them by their first names, but only in private, if we were in one of their parishes for Mass or some other event, I would call them, Fr. “First Name”
That said, I believe one should respect the wishes of the particular priest.
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Joannm
Guest
I have several priest friends or close coworkers who I call by their first name in private only. Other priests I usually call Fr. first name. The bishop I call simply “Bishop.”
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NeedImprovement
Guest
The reason we call priests “Father” is because they beget children in the spiritual order.
There’s an interesting thread (short too - only 13 posts) on people of different positions in the Church who are called or have been called “Father”. forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=410243
Here’s an excerpt from one of those posts:
We call priests “Father” because they beget children in the spiritual order . The power to do this (in and through God - as His ministers) becomes more fully actualized through priestly celibacy.
Pope Pius XII said it clearly in his Apostolic Exhortation MENTI NOSTRAE (1950).
Here’s an excerpt taken from that document , which can be read in full at this link
ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P12CLERG.HTM
" Celibacy
There’s an interesting thread (short too - only 13 posts) on people of different positions in the Church who are called or have been called “Father”. forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=410243
Here’s an excerpt from one of those posts:
We call priests “Father” because they beget children in the spiritual order . The power to do this (in and through God - as His ministers) becomes more fully actualized through priestly celibacy.
Pope Pius XII said it clearly in his Apostolic Exhortation MENTI NOSTRAE (1950).
Here’s an excerpt taken from that document , which can be read in full at this link
ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/P12CLERG.HTM
" Celibacy
- The priest has as the proper field of his activity everything that pertains to the supernatural life, since it is he who promotes the increase of this supernatural life and communicates it to the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ. Consequently, it is necessary that he renounce “the things of the world,” in order to have care only for “the things of the Lord”.[30] And it is precisely because he should be free from preoccupation with worldly things to dedicate himself entirely to the divine service, that the Church has established the law of celibacy, thus making it ever more manifest to all peoples that the priest is a minister of God and the father of souls. By his law of celibacy, the priest, so far from losing the gift and duties of fatherhood, rather increases them immeasurably, for, although he does not beget progeny for this passing life of earth, he begets children for that life which is heavenly and eternal. "
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diggerdomer
Guest
That’s up to you and your priest that you are referring to.
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blueriver
Guest
The thing is I adore the Catholic faith but through some quite negative experiences I have had with some priests I feel uncomfortable calling them Father.
My discomfort is supported by what Jesus said about not calling those on earth Father and I feel at some point priests decided to take the honor of the titleof ‘Father’ which unfortunately some dont deserve.
Do you know when the Father title emerged for priests?
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NeedImprovement
Guest
Anyone who called their own human father “daddy” or “dad” is still using a derivative of “Father”.
As for the sentiments highlighted in the above quote, I personally find it unfortunate that this appears to be a recurring theme in previous posts on another thread by a member with the same user name. :ehh:forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=402420.
These things tend towards aspersion. If we know a priest who is troubled or wounded, it does a world of more good to pray for them rather than denigrate them.
Matthew 7:3
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diggerdomer
Guest
I don’t, sorry. I do know that “Papa” (“Pope”) was used as a title for bishops.
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Apryl
Guest
The proper address “Father”.
The proper address is “Father Lastname”
Some don’t mind being addressed as Padre, Father Firstname, or even Father Last Initial
You can even, CORRECTLY, address a priest as ‘Reverend’. I believe that is a customary form of address in written materials.
I was at our Rectory one afternoon, answering phones. The new priest is “Fr. Frances McBride”, who commonly asks us to call him “Father Frank”, rather than “Fr. McBride” (name is changed to protect the humor level). A call came in asking for “Franky”. I immediately called him to the phone. “Father, you have a family member calling”
My uncle has issues with the whole ‘Call no man Father’ scripture, so he addresses him as “Pastor”; this he asked the priest if it was OK before he started.
I think it’s important that we have respect for me of the cloth, be they Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Hindu, whatever. We don’t have to believe as they do. We don’t have to believe as the people who follow them do. But, because we are adults, in a respectful situation, we should address them in a manner befitting of respect. Even if they mess up, do something they shouldn’t do, we should still respect that these people of the cloth represent a group of people who have a belief.
Period.
OK… Imo get off of my soap box… but y’all heard me. I don’t want any one giving any grief about addressing a Catholic priest as ‘Father’ nor do I want to hear any grief for addressing a Muslim Imam as such.
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puzzleannie
Guest
yes if you are Catholic you address a priest properly. Do you like it when people call you blue or River rather than Mr. or Ms. River? You call him Fr. River until he invites you to call him Fr. Blue (his first name). It is a matter of etiquette as much as of theology. If you want the theology there is an answer on AAA.
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puzzleannie
Guest
so what do you call your dad?
the title “father” is claimed by Paul in reference to his relationship with Timothy and others he ordained, and with his flock in the various churches he addresses, so quite early
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NeedImprovement
Guest
From dictionary.reference.com/browse/dad
**dad ** (dād)
n. Informal
A father.
**dad **
recorded from c.1500, but probably much older, from child’s speech, nearly universal and probably prehistoric (cf. Welsh tad, Ir. daid, Czech, L., Gk. tata, Lith.* tete*, Skt. tatah all of the same meaning).
**dad ** (dād)
n. Informal
A father.
**dad **
recorded from c.1500, but probably much older, from child’s speech, nearly universal and probably prehistoric (cf. Welsh tad, Ir. daid, Czech, L., Gk. tata, Lith.* tete*, Skt. tatah all of the same meaning).
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Moscati
Guest
I think my priest would be hurt if we called him something other than “Father”, since he really sees himself as responsible for our spiritual welfare, and takes that very seriously.
That said, we generally stick with “Father firstname”, because the last name is impossible to pronounce. Our deacons have odd last names too, actually, so they’re all “Deacon firstname”.
That said, we generally stick with “Father firstname”, because the last name is impossible to pronounce. Our deacons have odd last names too, actually, so they’re all “Deacon firstname”.
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John_Lazarus
Guest
If I see a man in a Roman collar and I am not sure that he is a priest (i.e. perhaps a Protestant minister) I address him as “Padre” – a respectful (military) term for any man of the cloth.
As it happens, “Padre” is Spanish for “father”.
Does anyone here know: aren’t some Orthodox priests addressed as “Abba”? (whence our “abbot”)
As it happens, “Padre” is Spanish for “father”.
Does anyone here know: aren’t some Orthodox priests addressed as “Abba”? (whence our “abbot”)
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NeedImprovement
Guest
Here, in english we address the priest as either Father *first name *or Father last name.
However the french sector has a variation in the way they address priests here. A priest belonging to a religious order (Franciscans, Servites, White Fathers/Missionaries of Africa … etc) is addressed by the direct french equivalent of Father - “Père” ; hence “Père first name”, or “Père last name”, or simply "Père "or “mon Père” (my Father).
The diocesan priests, on the other hand are addressed in french as " l’Abbé (first name or [more commonly]last name )". It is common to address him as simply “Monsieur l’Abbé” also.
…Abbé or l’Abbé having the same origin referred to in the previous post by John Lazarus :
Abbé is derived from Abbas ;
the Late Latin word abbas (abbot; head of an ecclesiastical community; father)
derived from the Greek word abba, ἀββᾶ
derived from the Aramaic word 'abba
myetymology.com/latin/abbas.html
It could be mentioned that attempting to evaluate whether someone who has been ordained to the priesthood deserves the title “Father”, is to aim askew. It is not so much the individual we are respecting - it’s their office.
However the french sector has a variation in the way they address priests here. A priest belonging to a religious order (Franciscans, Servites, White Fathers/Missionaries of Africa … etc) is addressed by the direct french equivalent of Father - “Père” ; hence “Père first name”, or “Père last name”, or simply "Père "or “mon Père” (my Father).
The diocesan priests, on the other hand are addressed in french as " l’Abbé (first name or [more commonly]last name )". It is common to address him as simply “Monsieur l’Abbé” also.
…Abbé or l’Abbé having the same origin referred to in the previous post by John Lazarus :
Abbé is derived from Abbas ;
the Late Latin word abbas (abbot; head of an ecclesiastical community; father)
derived from the Greek word abba, ἀββᾶ
derived from the Aramaic word 'abba
myetymology.com/latin/abbas.html
It could be mentioned that attempting to evaluate whether someone who has been ordained to the priesthood deserves the title “Father”, is to aim askew. It is not so much the individual we are respecting - it’s their office.
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amsjj
Guest
It also could depend on the community to which they belong. For example, the proper form to greet a priest of ICRSS would be to address him as Canon, together with the last name or just Canon.
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malphono
Guest
I had heard that the ICRSS was supposed to be reassessed and recognized as a congregation of Canons, but I hadn’t heard that it had been done yet. Has it, or is the form of address just “jumping the gun” a bit?It also could depend on the community to which they belong. For example, the proper form to greet a priest of ICRSS would be to address him as Canon, together with the last name or just Canon.
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Friar_David_O.Carm
Guest
The proper way to address a religious priest is usually Father “first name”.
While we are at it it is also proper to address all male religious as Brother “first name” and all female religious as sister “first name”.
I address all priests as Father and then according to their preference but most wish that I use their first name.
That is except for priests within my order, I address them by their first name only as they are my brothers in the order.
I do prefer to be address as Brother David, this is because I am a consecrated religious and I wish that to be acknowledged by those I am with. Those within the order do address me a David but then as I said, we are all brothers.
I grant some leeway with non-Catholics but Catholics should know better.
While we are at it it is also proper to address all male religious as Brother “first name” and all female religious as sister “first name”.
I address all priests as Father and then according to their preference but most wish that I use their first name.
That is except for priests within my order, I address them by their first name only as they are my brothers in the order.
I do prefer to be address as Brother David, this is because I am a consecrated religious and I wish that to be acknowledged by those I am with. Those within the order do address me a David but then as I said, we are all brothers.
I grant some leeway with non-Catholics but Catholics should know better.
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malphono
Guest
I’ve heard that the “modern” French for a priest is “Monsieur le prêtre” and even “monsieur l’évêque” for a bishop. I haven’t heard either with my own ears, but the very idea makes me shudder. In more traditional circles, though, I believe they still hold to “monsieur l’abbé” (or “père [name]” depending), and “Monseigneur [name]” for bishops.
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Aramis
Guest
The proper and traditional mode for Byzantine Rite use in English:
“Reverend Father” or "Reverend Father firstname for priests
“Father Deacon” (with or without first name) is used for deacons
“Father Bishop” (again, with or without first name) is used for Bishops.
Schema-monks are often “Father” or “Mother” (gender depedent), and the rest are brother or sister.
Note that the informal mode use of diminutives is not common, except by invitation. (IE, one doesn’t say Father Steve or Fr. Jim, but Father Steven or Fr. James.)
“Reverend Father” or "Reverend Father firstname for priests
“Father Deacon” (with or without first name) is used for deacons
“Father Bishop” (again, with or without first name) is used for Bishops.
Schema-monks are often “Father” or “Mother” (gender depedent), and the rest are brother or sister.
Note that the informal mode use of diminutives is not common, except by invitation. (IE, one doesn’t say Father Steve or Fr. Jim, but Father Steven or Fr. James.)
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