Why do Catholics refer to Church leaders as Father?

[aburkh9226]

Why do Catholics refer to church leaders as father when Jesus strictly forbids it?

 

[Devon_Caffran]

The following links should assist you in better understanding the biblical basis of calling priests “Father”. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.
Recommended Reading:

• [Why do Catholics call the pope “Holy Father”? (http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=134475)
• **[Why do Catholics call priests “Father” when Jesus said “call no man father”? (http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=30999) **
• [Call No Man “Father”? (http://www.catholic.com/library/Call_No_Man_Father.asp)