Catholic Answers Live

Latest Episodes:

#12944 What Does God Mean by Tragedy? The Trinity and Grace - Karlo Broussard Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

“What does God mean by tragedy?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of suffering and divine purpose, especially in light of recent events like the tragic death of Father Sánchez Molinari. The conversation also addresses the logical coherence of the Trinity and how to reconcile Old Testament references with New Testament revelations, alongside the requirements for receiving the Eucharist.

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Questions Covered:

01:00 – I don’t know if you heard about Father Sánchez Molinari. He was a priest in Ecuador who unfortunately passed away this Sunday because a crucifix hanging from the church ceiling fell on top of him. My atheist friends are asking, what did God mean by this? What should I say to them?
17:20 – How can the trinity be logically coherent/consistent? How can the contradictions about the Trinity with the Old Testament be reconciled? Isaiah 45:5. In 10 commandments “I” Hebrew Singular in all these instances what is written is the Hebrew singular
33:48 – If there is no way to prove that the Apostles were in a state of Grace during the Last Supper how can the Catholic church require people to be in a state of Grace to receive the Eucharist?

#12943 What Is Needed for Salvation? - Karlo Broussard Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

“What is needed for salvation?” This question opens a discussion on the relationship between faith, works, and grace in the Catholic understanding of salvation. The conversation also addresses the Protestant view on salvation by faith, the Catholic Church’s teachings on what it means to be saved, and the contrasting perspectives of Paul and Aquinas on human nature.

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Questions Covered:

03:08 – The protestants are correct in saying that salvation is received by faith.
19:15 – What is needed for salvation according to the Catholic Church? What do you think it means to be saved and is salvation Eternal?
36:05 – Paul in one Epistle says- man is evil from the start and man in eternity is evil. Aquinas is stating man in essence is good. How do both relate? If Aquinas claims man in essence is good, but Paul states no man is good, then is the only good one God?
51:51 – How are we saved by our works as stated by James- not just faith alone?

#12942 Why Do We Reject “Gay Marriage?” Morality, Scandals, and Love - Tom Nash Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

“Why do we reject ‘Gay Marriage’?” This question opens a discussion on the Church’s teachings regarding marriage and sexuality, addressing the distinction between sin and chastity for homosexuals. The conversation also touches on the Church’s moral authority amid scandals and seeks clarity on the definition of marriage, balancing compassion with doctrinal beliefs.

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Questions Covered:

02:45 – Why do we reject “Gay Marriage”?
13:54 – I understand that the physical act of homosexuality is a sin. Why is it okay to be a chaste homosexual?
22:40 – How can the Catholic church with all the scandals, dictate morality in marriage?
29:57 – Can you clarify what the definition of a marriage is?
37:03 – How does the moral aspects of sexuality integrate with the doctrines and dogmas that Catholics must agree to?
42:48 – How do we balance compassion with saying this is disorder?
48:18 – What can I do because in reality I can’t say anything? How can I respond when samesex couples share news of pregnancy?

#12941 Response to Joe Rogan Guest Slandering Mother Teresa – JPII and More! - Patrick Novecosky Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

This show including a response to criticisms from a Joe Rogan guest and the complexities surrounding John Paul II’s teachings, such as the luminous mysteries and his interactions with minority groups. The conversation also touches on the impact of personalism on JPII’s papacy and the nuances of Mother Teresa’s legacy.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – Response to Joe Rogan guest slandering Mother Teresa
15:23 – John Paul II instituted the luminous mysteries, but some traditional Catholics won’t pray them. Is refusing to pray them disobedient to him as a Pope?
22:21 – John Paul II met with every group except for homosexuals or those with AIDS. Am I correct on this?
32:38 – I heard a story that JPII sent a pope mobile to Mother Teresa. I heard she sold it, is this true?
43:04 – I wonder how the philosophy of personalism affected JPII’s teachings and papacy?
50:53 – Mother Teresa did care for the people, but she did nothing to change their suffering and situation. How do you reconcile this?

#12940 Who Should Read About Catholic Marriage and Prayer? - Jimmy Akin Oct 17, 2026

Show notes

“Who should read about Catholic marriage and prayer?” Understanding the resources available for modern Catholic marriage can be crucial, especially when navigating disputes and the complexities of communication with your spouse. Additionally, questions arise about the efficacy of prayer and whether the reality of hell should be used in evangelization efforts.

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Questions Covered:

04:49 – Who would you recommend reading on successful modern Catholic marriage? What is the proper way to handle disputes or disagreements? Secular marriage advice is pretty awful. Are you supposed to just suffer and pray? Isn’t it lying to just bear all things without saying anything to your spouse when you are hurt or repeatedly upset about things? That is the advice I get from my priest: to pray and bear all things. But who can bottle things up over and over? I make it about three to four weeks and then crack.
19:30 – Jimmy, this is a bigger question, I suppose, but I have been thinking about the efficacy of prayer. Not that praying doesn’t matter, but asking for things to happen in prayer seems complex: “Why isn’t my prayer answered?” “Thank God, my prayer was answered.” “Pray harder.” “She’s a saintly person, and God listens to her prayers.” I think that, in the big picture, God isn’t cashing checks or picking winners and losers like that. To me, prayer is more about us and our relationship with God and less about winning or losing some spiritual game. I’m interested in your thoughts.
30:26 – Should Catholics try to use the reality of hell to get people to convert to the faith? I heard a traditional priest advocating that we should, but it seems ineffective and even counterproductive to me.
36:28 – This is probably stupid, but how do I know I’m supposed to join the religious life? What are the steps to join? This is driving me crazy.
42:55 – Why do so many people say “grevious” (GREE-vee-ous) instead of “grievous” (GREE-vus) during the general confession at Mass?

#12939 How Do I Heal from Trauma? Spiritual Direction and More - Jimmy Akin Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

“How do I heal from trauma?” Healing from psychological wounds can be challenging, especially when support is limited. This episode addresses how to navigate this journey with God’s help, while also discussing when to seek spiritual direction and the role of spiritual directors. Additionally, the conversation touches on the interpretation of Jesus’ “whatever” question in Matthew and the distinctions between Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

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Questions Covered:

01:19 – If I’m trying to heal from trauma and psychological wounds (with no access to therapy, no friends, and only God to help), how do I go about it? How do I make sure I don’t dig myself in deeper, for example by misunderstanding a teaching because of that trauma? In any case, it makes it hard to see things clearly. Slightly related: When, if ever, should one meet with a spiritual director? Who benefits from a spiritual director? Who are spiritual directors (for example, a layperson, a priest, a nun)?
15:50 – How should Catholics treat the “whatever” question? In Matthew 16:19 Jesus says whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. There are no apparent terms, conditions, or limitations on what this “whatever” is in the surrounding text. If you look at Matthew 18:18, it’s pretty clear Jesus is talking specifically about sin, but in addition to being its own can of worms, that leaves out important things like ritual and sacramental practices, church disciplines, governance, canon, etc. And if you look at the Council of Jerusalem in Acts, the Church makes some pretty big changes when it comes to not applying Old Testament practices to Gentiles. So this suggests “whatever” goes beyond what is and isn’t a sin.
39:41 – Well, since you asked: Although I’m aware you’ve touched on this point before, a major question I often hear, particularly from young men, is why Catholicism over Eastern Orthodoxy? I’m aware of many young people who want a liturgical Christian life but are straddling the fence between East and West. I would like to hear a cogent argument, freshly given, about the need for the papacy and the magisterium, in a way that young Americans can grasp.
48:50 – In his recent encyclical, Pope Leo made a brief reference to just war theory being outdated. Can you elaborate on what he meant by that and what he’d replace it with?

#12938 Why Does the Church Reject Penal Substitution? Indulgences, Demons - Karlo Broussard Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

“Why does the Church reject penal substitution?” This question opens a discussion on the Catholic understanding of atonement, alongside inquiries about indulgences and their relationship to works, as well as the Church’s teachings on the power of demons. Other topics include the debate on women’s ordination and the role of prayer in the Rosary.

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Questions Covered:

02:40 – Why does the Catholic Church reject the idea of penal substitutionary atonement?
14:14 – I don’t understand indulgences. It seems like that is being saved by works.
21:35 – What does the church teach about the power of demons? It seems like compared to the power of the Lord it would be hardly anything.
29:45 – I disagree with the prohibition against women’s ordination. There was an early deaconess named Julia and the Church changed her name to Julian to try to pretend she was a man. And I hear Catholics cite the idea that Jesus was a male so priests must be male, but we also use the language of the Church being a bride — well, there are men in the bride, so why couldn’t a woman be a priest?
41:52 – I’m in OCIA. But I don’t think we should be praying the Rosary because it’s not in the Bible.
48:29 – I’m a baby catechist. I have a problem believing in the supernaturality Jesus, like hearing about him appearing places and walking through walls.

#12937 Pastor Makes Kids Destroy Statues of Mary – Response & AMA - Karlo Broussard Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Karlo responds to a recent incident, where a pastor has kids destroy statues of Mary. The discussion also touches on how to pray to saints without crossing into idolatry, the peculiarities of displaying relics, and the complexities surrounding the infallibility of the pope amidst differing approaches from recent leaders.

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Questions Covered:

00:30 – Reaction to video: Protestant pastor has kids smash statues of Mary
17:55 – I’m in OCIA, converting from a lot of Protestant churches. How do I pray to the saints without accidentally making it idolatrous?
22:51 – I have a tough time seeing Fulton Sheen’s jaw out on parade. It just seems weird.
35:30 – Religions were our first attempts to explain the universe. Then we invented science and realised how wrong we were.
44:18 – Is it a desecration to remove body parts from deceased saints and put them reliquaries?
50:25 – I’m in OCIA. I’m struggling with the idea of the infallibility of the pope. The last several popes had such different approaches to leading the church — how could they all be infallible?

#12936 How Do You Justify Replacing Holy Days? Apostles and Mary - Joe Heschmeyer Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

“How do you justify replacing Holy Days?” This question leads to a discussion on the evolution of celebrations and supposed connections to pagan roots. Additionally, the conversation touches on how the Catholic Church fulfills the fivefold ministry of Ephesians 4:11 in the absence of the Apostles and explores historical evidence regarding the journeys of Apostles like Peter and John.

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Questions Covered:

04:55 – As a “Primitive Christian,” how do you justify replacing 1st-century Holy Days with modern celebrations that have pagan roots?
29:00 – If Apostles no longer exist, how does the Catholic Church fulfill the fivefold ministry of Ephesians 4:11?
40:12 – Is there historical evidence of where Apostles like Peter and John went to spread Christianity?
45:12 – Are there any early church writings regarding Mary?

#12935 What Is the Earliest Christian Document? Church Fathers, Saints - Joe Heschmeyer Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

“What is the earliest Christian document outside of the Bible?” This question opens a discussion on the foundational texts of Christianity, including insights into early Church Fathers and their teachings. The conversation also touches on the perspectives of early church fathers regarding sola scriptura, the Catholic view on the death penalty in light of Genesis 9:6, and the practice of praying to saints in the early Church.

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Questions Covered:

03:16 – What is the earliest Christian document outside of the Bible?
11:30 – Were there early church fathers that taught sola scriptura? St. Ambrose wrote “how are we to have recourse to things that are not in Holy writ?”
15:09 – How do Catholics view the death penalty as it relates to Genesis 9:6? Why do Catholics not require non-resistance, given that it was taught by the Pre-Nicene Fathers?
30:42 – How did the early Church and its bishops view praying to the saints in the first few centuries?
42:26 – Recommended Church Fathers Reading for New Catholics
48:11 – Does the Modern “Way International” Have Any Relation to the Early Church’s “The Way”?

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