Why do we address priests as Father?

[auroram4]

A friend quoted Matthew 29:3 and asked me why we call priests “Father” when the passage says “And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.” I did not know how to respond. How can I explain this passage to my friend? Thank you and God bless!

 

[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)