But Paul does refer to himself as a spiritual father, as one who had spiritual sons, many times, (1Co. 4:15,17; Gal. 4:19; Titus 1:4; 1Tim. 1:2,18; Phlmn. 1:10) which he was, yet for priests that is not the case, and i think the Lord's admonition, call no man your father upon the earth, be not ye called Rabbi, masters, may be a form of hyperbole, contextually (Matthew 23:5-12) warning against love of position and titles (they...love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men...But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant...)
If "call no man your father" is taken literally without qualification, then even physical fathers could not be called such.
But in any case, priest are not Scripturally worthy of being called "father" even as a formal title, any more than Mormon elders are worthy to be called that.
Even more so, Catholic priests are not even Scriptural.
“... But in any case, priest (sic) are not Scripturally worthy of being called “father” even as a formal title, any more than Mormon elders are worthy to be called that...”
Oh, yes they are.
They have chosen a life like a eunich as Jesus mentioned.
They have SACRIFICED the pleasures and beauty and blessings of Matrimony for the sake of fathering SPIRITUAL children in Christ.
That is unique far beyond the Jewish leaders whom Jesus was referring to as well as far beyond various priesthoods and elders of false religions.