Catholic Answers Live

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#12972 Should We Raise Hands During the Our Father? Priesthood - Tom Nash Nov 10, 2026

Show notes

“Should we raise hands during the Our Father?” This question leads to a discussion on liturgical practices, including a recent directive from Bishop Samples regarding hand gestures. Other topics include how to address apostolic arguments with non-denominational Christians and the complexities of honoring priests and bishops despite personal grievances.

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Questions Covered:

01:55 – Bishop Samples diocese says people need to stop extending their hands during the “Our Father.”
13:56 – How do I talk about the apostolic argument when talking to non-denominational?
21:16 – What if you get mad at a priest or bishop who is less than honorable? Do you have to honor them? How can you justify following them?
37:37 – I had a bad experience with a bishop and I know we are not allowed talking bad about them. But what do you do in a situation where a priest or bishop treats us individually badly?
46:50 – What is the scriptural basis for confession to a priest?

#12971 Why Do Christians Struggle with Emotions? Anger, Forgiveness - Gregory Popcak Nov 09, 2026

Show notes

“Why do Christians struggle with emotions?” This question opens a discussion on the complexities of emotional experiences in the Christian life. The conversation also touches on the godly purpose behind feelings like anger and resentment, how to navigate friendships after betrayal, and the challenges of maintaining connections with loved ones who choose different paths.

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Questions Covered:

01:00 – Why do Christians have such a complicated relationship with emotions?
06:43 – You argue that there is a godly purpose to even unpleasant emotions like anger, resentment, frustration and other emotions Christians often feel guilty for even having much less acting on. How can these feelings serve godly ends?
19:57 – I feel a mix of emotions. I have a friend who committed adultery and my roommate is now friends with the woman whom my friend committed adultery with. How do I handle this from a Catholic perspective? My roommate is not Catholic?
28:15 – How do I handle the emotions of me and my bestfriend as we grow up? I went the Catholic route and she went down the LGBTQ+ route and am having a hard time connecting with?
36:05 – My youngest son just revealed where he was in his relationship with a girl. I unloaded my feelings on how I felt about her. What do I do?
44:35 – How do I reconcile when your brother sins against you and eventually cut him after you’ve taken it to the Church and the verse where it says to forgive your brother 7 times 70?
49:48 – Regarding Peter and Paul in the bible and their difference in temperament and how they were both dealt with by God to become great follower. How can we use them as examples on how to handle our temperaments?

#12970 Are We Less Ourselves Before Final Judgment? Lust and Fatima - Jimmy Akin Nov 07, 2026

Show notes

“Are we less ourselves before final judgment?” This question leads to a discussion on the nature of our body-soul composite and what it means for our identity after death. The conversation also touches on overcoming lust and the societal repentance required for Mary’s request at Fatima, along with the inclusion of the book of Tobit in the Bible.

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Questions Covered:

03:52 – If we are supposed to see ourselves as a body soul composite, then are we less of ourselves before the final judgment when we die?
20:24 – How do you overcome lust?
42:50 – What would have been the level of societal repentance needed to satisfy Mary’s request at Fatima before the wars?
49:30 – Why is the book of Tobit included in the bible if it’s a source of fiction?

#12969 Why Do We Need Indulgences If Christ Died for Us? Bishops, Voting - Jimmy Akin Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

“Why do we need indulgences if Christ died for us?” This question opens a discussion on the role of the Church in distributing Christ’s merits, especially during November when we remember the dead. Other topics include the Vatican’s record-keeping of bishops and priests, the implications of false oaths on salvation, and the moral responsibilities of voting in elections.

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Questions Covered:

02:35 – November is the month when Catholics especially remember the dead, and one of the things we can do for them is gain an indulgence by visiting a cemetery and praying for them. But here’s something I’ve wondered: If Christ’s merits are infinite and freely available to us, why do we need the Church to distribute them through indulgences?
20:24 – Does the Vatican keep records of which bishop ordained which priest and which apostolic lineage they come from?
28:45 – I have ocd and during my recent ocd attacks below bizzare thoughts were bothering me. I just want to know if below things are possible so that i dont have to fight these thoughts and I’ll be relieved. 1)What if one tells God , i keep my salvation as a collateral, instead help me with something, for example, a job. Post that I’ll donate something to the church and you can give back my salvation, else im ok to go to hell 2) If one takes a false oath on ones soul saying he’s ok with the consequences or promises on the soul, to not do something and still does it, can he still be saved or is this binding.
42:34 – Where did the 3 days of darkness come from and who promotes it?
50:09 – I did not vote in the most recent election because I believe both sides promote intrinsic evil. The Catechism says it is our duty to vote. What should I have done?

#12968 Should We Stop Evangelizing to Other Religions? Secularism and the Gospel - Tim Staples Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

“Should we stop evangelizing to other religions?” This question arises amid discussions on secularism and the Gospel. The episode also addresses Bishop Barron’s critique of cardinals on conversion, strategies for engaging with Jehovah’s Witnesses, and how to connect with Catholics who may not fully embrace their faith.

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Questions Covered:

00:34 – Bishop Barron criticized two cardinals who say the Church isn’t there to convert people. What do you make of it?
16:11 – In prosperous societies like Australia, New Zealand and Europe, how do we answer the rampant secularism?
21:30 – Two Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my house and want to come back. Do you have any tips on how to share the Gospel with them?
28:28 – My Muslim Uber driver tried to do dawah on me on my way to Mass. I told him conversion to Christianity is a spiritual, heart conversion, but I felt I was too abrupt.
45:19 – I’m Catholic, but not all the way Catholic. How can I reach Catholics who aren’t really into the Bible and live like the world the rest of the week?

#12967 What Are the Five Solas? Salvation, Baptism, and Mary - Brayden Cook Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

“What are the five solas of Protestantism, and how does a Catholic respond to them?” This question opens a discussion on key theological differences, while also addressing the rich young ruler’s inquiry about eternal life and the role of baptism in salvation. Additionally, the conversation touches on Marian dogmas and the implications of unconditional election in Catholic teaching.

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Questions Covered:

01:39 – What are the five solas of Protestantism, and how does a Catholic respond to them?
15:24 – When the rich young ruler asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” was that a salvation question?
18:43 – When someone asks me, “Brother, are you saved?” I say yes — baptism saves us, I was baptized as an infant, so I’m saved unless I lose it. What would you say?
21:07 – How would you answer the Protestant theology of unconditional election from Church teaching?
34:21 – I’m going through OCIA. I don’t disagree with the Marian dogmas, I just don’t understand them. Can I still have assurance of salvation if I accept the Church’s teaching and authority?
46:09 – Why does the opportunity for salvation end at death?

#12964 How to Convince Joyce Carol Oates on Real Presence? Eucharist, Mass - Tom Nash Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

“How would you convince Joyce Carol Oates that we truly believe in the real presence?” This question opens a discussion on the significance of the Eucharist in Catholic faith. Other topics include the proper approach for those considering conversion, the reasons behind the different Eucharistic prayers, and the role of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

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Questions Covered:

01:17 – How would you convince Joyce Carol Oates that we truly believe in the real presence?
15:02 – I’m not Catholic yet. I want to convert but I’m a leader of my church community. When I go to mass to I go up to receive a blessing, or should I stay in the pew? If I go through OCIA, why would I get pulled from mass to go to a class during the consecration?
28:47 – Why are 4 different eucharistic prayers and who chooses which prayer to pray? It’s hard to follow.
34:08 – Who is supposed to lead the Entrance Antiphon and Communion Antiphon. Is it the priest of the congregation?
41:21 – What is the Church’s stance of receiving communion from Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion? Is there a difference in receiving communion from them and a priest or deacon?
45:53 – When offering prayers before mass, how many offerings can you offer up?
49:41 – No question, but something about language. What don’t you understand about metaphor? All language has some form of it. That includes Hebrew, Greek and English. Get real

#12963 What’s the Earliest Evidence for Transubstantiation? Eucharist, Mass - William Albrecht Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

“What’s the earliest evidence for transubstantiation?” This question opens a discussion on the historical foundations of the Eucharist, including insights into the evidence for the Eucharist itself and the theological implications of whether Catholics are re-sacrificing Jesus. The conversation also touches on why certain individuals are denied communion and the protective nature of the Mass for those who may not attend regularly.

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Questions Covered:

02:30 – What’s the earliest evidence outside the Bible for transubstantiation?
14:29 – What’s the evidence for the Eucharist?
19:17 – Are Catholics re-sacrificing Jesus?
22:02 – Why do people get denied communion like politicians or gay couples when Jesus didn’t even deny communion to Judas?
36:25 – How much protection does the mass provide to a person who doesn’t always attend but feels like their childhood Catholicism holds them safe?
45:26 – Catholics claim that the Road to Emmaus is about eucharist but Jesus told the followers to touch him knowing he is real. If you take this same logic to the eucharist, the host feels nothing like Jesus therefore the story cannot be about the eucharist. Thoughts?

#12962 How Do Protestants Justify the 5 Solas? Catholic Differences - Stephen Boyce Nov 03, 2026

Show notes

“How do Protestants justify the 5 Solas?” This question opens a discussion on the foundational beliefs that shape Protestant theology, while also addressing the implications of adding other elements to these principles. The conversation further explores the differences between nominalism and realism, recommendations for Lutherans considering Catholicism, and the need for a modern reformation among Protestants.

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Questions Covered:

01:00 – How do protestants justify the 5 solas? if you use other things it does away with the sola part, doesn’t it?
13:48 – Are the differences in nominalism and realism a way to explain the theological differences between Catholics and Protestants?
23:57 – I’m Lutheran looking to come into the Catholic faith. What reading material do you recommend?
40:40 – Do you think today’s modern-day protestants are in need of a reformation?
48:29 – I don’t think the issue of the reformation is black and white. Is it possible the Church admitted its own shortcomings during the conflict?

#12961 Did the Protestant Reformation Fail? Luther and Atonement - Stephen Boyce Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

“Did the Protestant Reformation fail?” This question opens a discussion on the Reformation’s goals and outcomes, including insights on whether it succeeded. The conversation also touches on Penal substitutionary atonement versus St. Anselm’s model, and reflections on Luther’s trial and the implications of his teachings.

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Questions Covered:

04:14 – Did the Protestant Reformation succeed in its goal?
19:43 – I’m in OCIA from a reformed background. Can you explain Penal substitutionary atonement compared to St. Anselm’s model?
29:39 – I think it’s a shame that the conversation wasn’t had with Luther but instead he was put on trial. What are your thoughts on this?
42:01 – I grew up MO synod Lutheran and believe that the reformation was not successful at all. I think that all teaching was completely undermined and led to disaster. What are your thoughts on that?
48:11 – What prompted Luther’s journey in the wrong direction?

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