Why do we call priests "Father" and the pope "Holy Father"?

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ohrubyblue

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Being a cradle Catholic, this has always been something that I’ve just done, without questioning. So when a protestant friend of mine asked me why and showed me this verse from the bible “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” (Matt 23:9), I didn’t know how to answer him.

I read somewhere that there is something to do with the context in which this was said, but I’m not entirely sure. Does that mean that some things we Catholics do go against God’s word? I know the bible is not to be taken literally all the time, but what do I tell bible Christians who tell me we must follow what the bible says?

When do we know when the bible is to be taken in its literal sense and when not to?
 
ohrubyblue,

The following links should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching on 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.

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