Questions / The Church and the Pope

Why do Catholics call priests Father?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Ascension Presents

Video: Should Catholics Call Priests Father?, Ascension Presents, published Feb 21, 2018. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Because in the priest, Christ Himself is present as Shepherd of His flock. Spiritual fatherhood is a real thing. CCC 1548

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

In the ordained minister, Christ Himself is present to His Church as Head of His Body and Shepherd of His flock. CCC 1548

Paul wrote, “in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News.” 1 Corinthians 4:15

Our words

A good priest is a spiritual dad: he feeds you, forgives you in God’s name, and shows up when someone dies.

Watch another on this

Play video: Fr. Mike Schmitz Answers the Internet's Top Questions About Priests, Fr. Mike Schmitz, from Ascension Presents, 9 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

What should priests be like?

Play video: Why Can Some Catholic Priests Marry? Discipline vs. Doctrine, Jimmy Akin, from Jimmy Akin, 10 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Why can't priests marry?

Play video: Why Won't Catholicism Allow Women Priests? (#AskBishopBarron), Bishop Robert Barron, from Bishop Robert Barron, 2 min. Loads from YouTube when pressed.

Why can't women be priests?

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Related questions

Why does the Church have a Pope? Ascension Presents · 13 minDoes the Church say people outside it cannot be saved? Catholic Answers · 3 minI was baptized in another church. Will I be baptized again? Catholic Answers · 3 minWhat should priests be like? Fr. Mike Schmitz · 9 min

Sources on this page

How we know · 1 Catechism paragraph · 1 Bible passage

1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1548 (official text on vatican.va).
2. Scripture (World English Bible, Catholic edition, public domain; modern verse numbers, Douay-Rheims numbers in brackets where they differ): 1 Corinthians 4:15.

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.