The Role of Fathers in the Family

The third Sunday of June is a day set aside to honor fathers and celebrate their influence in society.  What does the Catholic Church have to say about fatherhood?

It should come as no surprise that the Catholic Church considers marriage and the family to be “one of the most precious of human values,” and the foundation of society.  Because of its importance, the Church has a lot to say about the responsibilities, duties, and obligations of parents.  Both fathers and mothers leave strong impressions on their children that continue long after they have left home.  In Familiaris Consortio, a letter written to the faithful by Pope John Paul II, the Holy Father spoke about "Men as Husbands and Fathers.”  

          Men as fathers begins with them being good husbands.  "… A man (must) have a profound respect for the equal dignity of his wife…”  The Holy Father quotes St. Ambrose, a 4^th century bishop, who said, “You are not her master, but her husband; she was not given to you to be your slave, but your wife....  Reciprocate her attentiveness to you and be grateful to her for her love.”  Christian men are called to cultivate a gentle and strong love “like that which Christ has for the Church."

          Children are observant and so a man's attitude toward his wife will be noted and absorbed by both his sons and daughters.  Daughters will grow to be women, and they need to learn that real gentlemen are respectful and protective of women.  Sons will become men who need a firm, well-formed Catholic conscience to help develop and strengthen their own wills, that they may also be respectful and protective of women.  Sons and daughters must see that dad loves and respects their mother for herself and as another being created in God's image.  

Pope John Paul II goes on to say, “Above all where social and cultural conditions so easily encourage a father to be less concerned with his family … efforts must be made to restore the importance of the father in the family.” 

A father shares with his wife the duty of training their children in the knowledge of faith and teaching them to love God.  He is to be a channel of grace to his sons and daughters, and “effectively introduce the children into the living experience of Christ and the Church."

May St. Joseph and God our Father in Heaven guide all Catholic fathers today, and may they know they are treasured in their families.