Not sure how 'paternal' he could be, but when it comes to 'godly' entities, he isn't an actual deity, like the one that cursed him and Mavis. But being an immortal mage who is known to have created forms of magic that are considered his world's equivalent to the dark arts, several cults and dark guilds do worship him as a real deity, something he is frankly disgusted by, especially considering who is doing it and why.

That could be something for them to talk about?