Holy Father?

I see it more as a diplomatic statement from the President, rather than a religious statement. It is not nearly as troubling as saying he believes Muslems will go to heaven based on their beliefs.

BTW, I don't like calling men "Rev". I believe only God deserves reverence. I prefer "brother" so-n-so, or "pastor" so-n-so. For a priest.... I guess I would just call him Mr.

peace to youraying:

 

I would refuse to call him "Holy Father" under any circumstances. I would refuse to kiss his ring, or bend to one knee.

I would not call him Father, either.

Mike

 

Amen! :thumbs:

 

I think it doesn't matter. Seriously, there are bigger fish to fry in this world than worry about giving someone the title their position qualifies them for and which has been historically ascribed to them.

 

I would say it's being diplomatic rather then religious.

 

You said that then signed Padre???? :thumbsup:

 

PreachinJesus,

What "qualifies" him to be called "Holy Father"?

Almighty God is our spiritual Father, and He instructs us to call no one else Father, in a spiritual sense, but Him.

And to call him simply "Father". without the "Holy" doesnt work either. He isnt my natural Father.

Mike

 

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion.
However, when the Lord told His followers to "call no one your Father, for you have one Father which is in heaven", he was referring to those who would want to be regarded as a spiritual father, in the sense that the pope wants to be regarded.
Add to that the word "holy" and you can see that he is really supplanting God who is the Father of all who are born of the Spirit.
So, I would much rather not call him holy father.

Mr. Bush is a politician, and I think if it were required by protocol that he kiss the pope's behind he would do it, and then excuse himself to get to the bathroom and throw up.

Then again, he might not.

 

I would much prefer that he call him "the Pope".

 

Maybe.
Except I read somewhere that the title "Pope" essentially means the same thiing as Holy Father.
Is that right ?
Can someone confirm that ?

 

Well, in Italian, it's Il Papa....Father, I guess....is there an official title he has as the head of Vatican City?

 

I don't know about that...the official title, I mean.

So, then, it's essentially the same thing as Father.
I don't know what the Italian word for Holy is, though.

It is also said that on the tiara he wears on special occassions the words "Vicarius Filii Dei" are inscribed, which means "Vicar of God on Earth" in English.

I am an ex-Catholic, and I remember those days when we would be required to kiss the Archbishop's or the Cardinal's ring when either one visits the school to say high mass at the chapel.

Even in those days I rarely called a priest father.
just, sir.
not one forced us to use "father", in fairness to them.

Except the one who taught us religion and catechism.
Him I called "father" without his requiring me to.
Afraid he would fail me if I didn't call him father.

Funny thing is that this "father" challenged me to a fist fight when he thought I was being too bratty once too often and felt his authority was being challenged.

I was 13 then.

 

Santo would be holy...

I am an ex-Catholic also. I have noticed in recent years that some Catholics refer to their parish priest as their pastor, and that in some newspaper articles the priest is referred to as the pastor of such and such parish/church. That wouldn't make sense as an official title, though, I wouldn't think.

 

The name Pope \p(o)-pe\ is of Greek origin, and its meaning is "father".

Santo Pope = Holy Father

 

I think it means "Vicar of the son of God."

 

Isn't this the same president who wouldn't put up the nativity scene but did put up a menorah?:BangHead:
I think the man is a bit confused.

 

Pinoy,

Good for him! :thumbs: I'll give credit where credit is due.

I too was raised catholic but fled it like the plague after being born again and becoming a student of the scriptures. Never one time heard the true gospel. (We were told to "believe in Jesus" and be a "good" Catholic, with the "good" Catholic "works" getting us into heaven.)

But I do think the discipline that exists in the Catholic schools is a good thing. I remember that if any of us kids did anything stupid...we only did it once. :laugh:

The public schools in this country should take lessons from the Catholic schools regarding how to keep kids in line.

When we were in Catholic school, we learned our "readin', writin', and 'rithmetic" real good, and we didnt act up or show disrespect. Public schools today are many times a war zone.

Mike

 

I call him Bennie, and he's never gotten on to me about it.