Mother's son is a Priest, will the Mother kneel, hold the Priest hand to bless?
By mantis36
@mantis36 (4219)
Philippines
November 6, 2011 5:07am CST
If that Roman Catholic Mother having a child that soon becomes a Roman Catholic Priest,
Will that Mother kneels while holding the hands of his Son while saying:
"Blessed me Father for I have Sin" ????
a tough question requires a tough answer...
3 responses
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
6 Nov 11
Yes, that is quite possible and proper because, as a priest, the man has two roles. One is as a natural man who is the son of the woman and the other is as a vicar of God whose role is as a father or shepherd to his flock.
The question is really what does anyone mean when saying to a priest "Bless me, Father". Are they addressing the priest himself in the role of father or shepherd of his congregation or are they addressing God through the medium of a priest?
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
6 Nov 11
You may need to look up the meaning of the word "vicar". It comes from the Latin and means 'something which stands in place of something else'. We understand the meaning better if we realise that we also use the word as the adjective 'vicarious' to mean just that.
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
6 Nov 11
thanks for the information,
and what my Roman Catholic teacher explain me wrongly because she said that the biological mother of that priest,
the priest must not be assigned to preach where her mother is located or living on that area in order to avoid that situation,
because it is bad for the mother to call his son "Father"
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
6 Nov 11
It may be confusing for a mother to address her son as "Father" but I don't think it's 'bad' or 'sinful', any more than it is 'bad' for someone to use the respectful address of 'Uncle' or 'Grandfather' to someone who may often be a complete stranger. Don't you in the Philippines sometimes address an old man as 'lolo' as a mark of respect? In some countries this kind of address is quite common.
@murkie (1103)
• Philippines
6 Nov 11
yes, of course.
same as in other professions, this shouldn't be a personal issue.
the PERSONAL should be separated by the PROFESSIONAL.
it's true that this is hard to go by. but in this case, the mother MAY opt to go to another priest for her confessions. though the priest is bound by confidentiality, he can't help but be conscious.
but theoretically, this shouldn't really be a problem.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
28 Nov 11
Jesus specifically commands against priests and popes and confession is supposed to be to the congregation not to a priest as was practised by the early Church
all the best urban
