God being a spirit, there is no sex in God. In reality God is therefore neither father nor mother. It is analogy that we call God 'Father' Just as in the case of our human existence we call father the one who begets, so in the spiritual order we call God 'Father' since it is He Who generates in us out supernatural life.

God not only brings us into being as Creator, but goes further. Like our human father, He bestows on us His love, concern, care and guidance. He calls us to share His sown life. He is therefore much more to us than Creator: He is Father.

Jesus himself tells us to call God 'Father', 'Say this when you pray: Father, may your name be held holy" (Luke 11:2); "You must be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mathew 5:48).

Jesus too had his Father. Just as we call 'father' the one who begets and 'son' the one begotten, so Jesus called 'Father' the first Person of the Trinity who eternally begets and himself, the second person, 'Son', since he is begotten. 'Father, glorify your name' (John 12:28); "Father, the hour has come, glorify your son so that your son may glorify you" (John 17:1); "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46).

It is also a father's task to teach and guide his son. It is in this sense that Paul calls himself a 'father' to his Christian converts." You might have thousands of guardians in Christ, but not more than one father and it was I who begot you in Christ Jesus by preaching the Good News" (1 Cor.4:15).

The term 'Father of the Church' is traditionally applied to the preachers, writers and theologians of the post-New Testament period. Their teaching, coming close to apostolic times has carried considerable weight in the Church. They are called 'Fathers' because of their antiquity, and therefore seniority, in functioning as teachers in post-apostolic times.

Against this background we see the reasons for calling the Catholic priest 'Father'. Like Paul and the Fathers of the Church he proclaims and teaches the word of God. Like Paul, he could say in relation to the faithful he serves. "It was I who begot you in Christ Jesus by preaching the Good News."

When Paul speaks of 'begetting', there is a deeper meaning than bringing knowledge of the Good News to the people. Acceptance of the Good News by the people leads to their Baptism and supernatural sonship. As Paul says elsewhere, "The spirit you received is the spirit of sons, and it makes you cry out: Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:14; also Gal.4:6).

The Priest therefore is one who as God's agent or minister, begets in the faithful supernatural life by teaching the word of God and administering the sacraments. In the spiritual order, the priests is thus a 'father' to the faithful since he participates in God's fatherhood in the process of generating divine life in the hearts of the faithful.

But does no Jesus say, it might be asked, that no one but God should be called 'Father'?" You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven" (Matthew 23.9). Here Jesus was speaking of the honours, titles and salutations the Pharisees and Scribes coveted: Master (Rabbi), Father (Abba) and Teacher (Moreh). His followers are to reject these and live as brother and sisters.

However the custom arose of calling the priest Father. It is not a title of honour like 'Monsignor' but a term that has a deep spiritual meaning as notes above. Even so, it is a custom that can change.