Connection between 甫 and 父?
This article posits 神甫 is a slightly derogatory term, first used by Qing officials, to address religious Fathers in their official communications to the Emperor. The author supports their argument by a) that 神父 is etymologically orthodox and traceable to the Ming dynasty, and b) that 神甫 is not a loyal translation to 'Father' (despite 甫 potentially being a title for a respectable man), which, in Catholic tradition, is a cordial address to a Priest (Lat. Sarcedos, Chin. 司鐸).

I believe the above argument is not baseless. There are many occasions where historical translations to Western entities are far from decent. Of course, that has more to do with 19th century history.



大不列顛 Great Britain
煲顛茶, 砵甸乍 Pottinger, first Governor of Hong Kong
爹核士 Davis, second Governor of Hong Kong
麥當奴 MacDonnell, sixth Governor of Hong Kong


In summary, 神甫 is a historical translation that has been outcompeted by the far more understandable translation 神父. Translative differences do not render 甫 and 父 etymologically connected.