But if you are a Roman Catholic you would have well over 425,000 “fathers”; since that is the number of Roman Catholic priests in the world and your religion requires that you address them all as “Father.” At least that is the requirement in English-speaking lands. But many other religions refuse to recognize this title for priests, ministers or pastors.

Concerning the use of the term “Father” in Christendom today The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church states: “In England . . . all Roman Catholic priests . . . are now called ‘Father,’ a custom introduced apparently from Ireland in the latter half of the nineteenth century. It has also come into wide currency among Anglo-Catholics. On the continent other terms are used for the secular clergy.” The New Catholic Encyclopedia tells of the use of the term in the United States. Thus the Jesuit weekly, America, September 20, 1969, had an article entitled “In Memoriam: Father Gardiner,” and in another article mentioned upward of twenty different priests, the names of all of whom began with the initials “Fr.”, an abbreviation of the title “Father.”

What about this use of the term “Father” as a title for the clergy? Does the fact that the term “father” is so often used in the Scriptures, and that in various ways, justify such use? Well, what does Jesus Christ say about the matter? He specifically commanded his followers: “Do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One.” Clearly he meant that “Father” as a religious title should be used only in referring to Jehovah God, the heavenly Father. That Jesus did not mean to preclude referring to one’s literal father as “father” is clear from his own frequent use of the term father in this sense.​—Matt. 23:9; 10:37; Mark 10:29; Luke 15:20.

But what about the apostle Paul’s referring to himself as “father”? There was good reason for his referring to himself as the spiritual “father” of certain ones, for he brought spiritual life to them. It was only to such ones that he spoke of himself as their father. But did any of these address Paul as “Father Paul”? Absolutely not! Nowhere in the Scriptures do we ever read of him or of Peter or any of the other apostles being addressed as “Father.”

There is also the term “Holy Father” as given to the popes of Rome. What about it? If no one on earth is to be given the religious title “Father,” then still less should any man be called “Holy Father.” Jesus in prayer addressed God in heaven as “Holy Father.” (John 17:11) Now, would it be proper to take that title that the Bible applies only to God and apply it to a man? For those who truly desire to please God, the answer is obvious.