Catholic Answers Live

Latest Episodes:

#12833 Why Did Jesus Tell Mary Not to Touch Him? Baptism and Faith - Jimmy Akin Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

“Why did Jesus tell Mary not to touch him?” This question opens a discussion on the significance of Jesus’ words to Mary Magdalene, alongside other topics such as the biblical basis for the timing of baptism in relation to faith and advice for someone navigating family dynamics during a conversion.

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Questions Covered:

08:16 – Why did Jesus tell Mary Magdalene to not touch him but told Thomas to touch him?
17:15 – The book of Acts shows that baptism happened immediately after display of faith but the Church makes people wait. Where does this idea of making people wait come from? Is it biblical?
41:00 – What advice would you give to my girlfriend who wants to convert but doesn’t know how to talk to her family who will likely not approve?

#12832 What’s the Evidence for Mary’s Assumption and Its Importance? - William Albrecht Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

“What’s the evidence for Mary’s Assumption and its importance?” This question opens a discussion on the early Church’s beliefs about Mary’s Assumption, highlighting its significance in Catholic theology. Additional topics include the necessity of Mary’s Assumption for her role as Queen of Heaven and the intriguing concept of fetal microchimerism related to her life.

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Questions Covered:

02:44 – What’s the Evidence for the Assumption of Mary in the early Church?
13:03 – Why did Mary have to be assumed into heaven in order to be Queen of Heaven? Why is it essential for us to believe it?
17:09 – Regarding the Assumption, can you elaborate more on fetal micro chimerism ( the mother obtaining the child’s DNA throughout her life)?
22:14 – If Mary’s Assumption was a historical event, then why is there no physical evidence for this?
29:20 – My 7-year-old daughter is claiming to see Mary to the point where she says things that are naturally outside of knowledge. We are converts. Is this something that’s common and what should we do?
38:18 – How can I accept Mary as the Queen of Heaven?
46:59 – I’m no longer Catholic and have studied the bible. Where is Mary’s burial cloth? Why is Mary appointed queen of heaven and placed on a pedestal? No where in the bible does it say to pray to Mary.

#12831 Whats The Difference Between Celibacy And Chastity? - Tom Nash Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

“What’s the difference between celibacy and chastity?” This question opens a discussion on the distinct yet related concepts of celibacy and chastity, followed by inquiries about the challenges priests face in maintaining celibacy, the implications of priestly blessings, and the reasons behind the current shortage of priests.

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Questions Covered:

01:00 – What’s the difference between celibacy and chastity?
12:38 – I’m Lutheran. Why doesn’t the sacramental priesthood always produce good and holy priests?
21:23 – How do priests deal with celibacy? What do they do to distract themselves?
28:40 – What does it mean when something has been blessed by a priest? What does that do? What changes?
35:01 – Why do you think there is such a shortage of priests?
47:38 – How possible is it for an ordained baptist minister to become a Catholic priest?

#12830 Can Modern Biblical Criticism Be Accepted? Mary, Enoch, God - Jimmy Akin Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

“Can modern biblical criticism be accepted?” This question opens a discussion on the complexities of faith and interpretation, addressing concerns about how Catholics reconcile personal beliefs with Church teachings. Other topics include the significance of the Book of Enoch, the concept of Jesus having the odor of sanctity, and guidance for a teenager struggling with belief in God.

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Questions Covered:

03:32 – I sense that you didn’t answer Richard’s questions properly but instead framed it in a way where it was dismissed. I have the same questions, and it seems like dismissing scripture almost makes it seem as though it’s preaching a different gospel.
15:00 – I’m confused about the acceptance of modern biblical criticism. How much do Catholics have to believe personally and externally about the teachings of the Church?
28:50 – My friend who is Missouri Synod and asked me about the Bible of Enoch. I’ve never heard of this. What is it? What can I send her to read?
38:18 – Did Jesus have the odor of sanctity?
44:23 – My 16-year-old nephew is saying he doesn’t believe in God anymore. What advice do you have to help with showing God’s existence?
50:12 – Why was Mary able to marry Joseph but didn’t need to be open to life/ have relations with him for it to be considered valid?

#12829 Why Should Secular People Consider Catholicism? Heaven, Sin - Jimmy Akin Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

“Why should secular people consider Catholicism?” This question opens a discussion on the relevance of faith in modern life, alongside inquiries about the different levels of heaven and how one might improve their standing. The conversation also addresses concerns about the role of repetitive prayers in Mass and the Church’s teachings on saints versus direct access to Jesus.

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Questions Covered:

03:10 – Why should secular people consider the Catholic faith?
17:28 – Are there different levels in heaven? If there is, how can you upgrade your position?
33:54 – The repetition prayers at mass bored me. Why don’t they teach the bible at mass? The bible says to go to Jesus not the saints. Why does the Church teach people to go to the saints instead of Jesus?
49:01 – I’m not Catholic because of the teaching on mortal sin and the inconsistencies. I don’t see how committing a sin like murder would necessarily cut off our relationship from God. His love is greater than that.

#12828 Why Arent You Catholic? Confession, Purgatory, and Papacy - Tim Staples Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

“Why Aren’t You Catholic?” addresses common concerns about the Catholic faith, including the feeling of not being forgiven in confession and the potential consequences in purgatory. The discussion also touches on the nature of the papacy and its divine intention, as well as misconceptions about a works-based gospel. Additionally, practical advice is offered for introducing friends to Catholicism.

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Questions Covered:

02:13 – I don’t go to Mass consistently. I don’t feel forgiven from confession. Are there purgatory consequences?
20:52 – How do we know Papacy in its current form is what God intended. It seems like Peter was supposed to be first among equals. Polycarp and Anicetus were equals.
28:46 – I’m Not Catholic Cause I think Catholics preach a different works-based gospel.
43:55 – My best friend is a bartender. What’s the best way to introduce my friend to catholic faith?

#12827 Is There Evidence for the Papacy in Early Church History? - Stephen Boyce Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

“Is there evidence for the papacy in early Church history?” This question addresses claims about the absence of papal evidence in the first 300 years of the Church, while also considering the authority of both Peter and Paul in Rome and the role of Ignatius in the early Church. Additionally, the discussion touches on the potential censorship of records by Constantine and the parallels between the Seat of Peter and the Davidic throne.

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Questions Covered:

01:56 – There’s a claim that there is no evidence for the papacy in the first 300 years of the Church. Is that true, and if there is, where do we find it?
11:32 – What about the claim that BOTH Peter and Paul were the authority in Rome?
15:15 – Protestants using Ignatius as evidence from the early church that there was no bishop in Rome.
22:49 – Did Constantine and the roman empire censor records to help spread the Christian faith?
31:17 – How does the Seat of Peter parallel the Davidic throne? Does this explain how the papacy can be valid with bad popes?
47:28 – How do we know that the apostles were bishops? Did they make the position of Bishop?

#12826 How Do You Define “The Church”? Mortal Sin and SSPX Issues - Joe Heschmeyer Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

“What do you mean by ‘The Church’?” This episode addresses the Catholic understanding of the Church’s nature, while also tackling questions about gluttony, the complexities surrounding the SSPX, and the implications of mortal sin on salvation. Each topic sheds light on key aspects of Catholic faith and practice.

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Questions Covered:

01:45 – How do you define “The Church”? What is the Catholic understanding of what exactly the Church is?
08:19 – If I get “fourths” is that gluttony?
14:30 – I’m a Catholic struggling to resolve the viewed contradictions regarding the SSPX.
30:48 – You gave me some tips a few weeks ago for visiting a Mormon church and told me to call back and tell you how it went.
44:00 – How is the gospel good news if you can commit a mortal sin and lose salvation? What even is a mortal sin?

#12825 Should Christians Drink Alcohol? Truth, Scandal, and Hope - Joe Heschmeyer Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

“Should Christians drink alcohol?” This question opens a discussion on the balance between moderation and faith, while also addressing related topics such as the implications of truth-telling and scandal, and the Vatican’s recent doctrinal notes on Marian titles. Other questions include the role of hope in salvation and the significance of confession for Protestants.

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Questions Covered:

03:28 – Should Christians drink alcohol?
15:07 – Can telling the truth be considered the spreading of scandal?
22:25 – Given the doctrinal notes given by the Vatican recently on the titles Mediatrix and Co-Redemptrix, does it affect our understanding of Marian consecration?
29:08 – I heard Karlo and Brayden recently talk about faith and charity and their role in salvation. What is the role of hope in relation to salvation?
35:03 – Should I attend a men’s event or my 35th anniversary?
40:31 – Why can’t a Protestant just decide to go to confession and get absolution?
46:46 – When making the sign of the cross, is it better to say Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost?
51:05 – Why wasn’t the sacrifice of Jesus done earlier? Why did God wait so many years to redeem us?

#12824 How Does the Bible View Divorce? Vatican II and Marriage - Tom Nash Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

“How does the Bible view divorce?” This question opens a discussion on the complexities of marriage in light of Catholic teaching, including perspectives on divorce for non-Catholics and the interpretation of terms like porneia. Other topics include the permanence of marriage bonds and the implications of Vatican II on contemporary views of marriage.

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Questions Covered:

03:00 – Secrets from heaven
14:23 – I’m not Catholic. How does the bible and Catholicism view a person who has been divorced?
22:15 – Regarding the psalms. Why can’t they be updated? They just seem like random prayers.
30:14 – Does the term porneia refer to fornication and not just unlawful marriages?
39:45 – Jesus said let no man tear apart a marriage so how can a tribunal decide whether a bond actually occurred?
45:31 – Why does the defense of Vatican 2 seem like gas-lighting?
52:48 – Can seniors get married in the church even though they can’t produce children?

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