Father's Day

Titles speak volumes.

And, "Father" does also.

This greeting and title tells of a time when being called "Father" was part of a clerical system. 

Even tough I appreciate the intent behind "Father," it still says much about its creation in the Catholic Church. I enjoy the salutation, however, its history may be more than I like to admit.

Priests have been called "Father" for centuries.

Like dads in a home, priests who are not permitted to marry, are similarly called, "Father."

All the words that greet clergy, like Reverend, Father, Most Reverend, and so forth, have their own story line.

People do react to the title of  "Father," however.

It brings up a lot for some people.

Of all the titles clergy have, Cardinal John Dearden said he savored "Father" most of all of the list he was called as a high-ranking prelate.

Happy Father's Day dad despite what some may prefer.

Personally, when the greeting offends another, it needs to be evaluated especially in the case of clergy being called, "Father."