Catholic Answers Live

Latest Episodes:

#12783 Why Does It Matter If Mary Is Sinless? Early Church Beliefs - William Albrecht Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

“Why does it matter if Mary is sinless?” This question opens a discussion on the significance of Marian doctrines in Catholic faith. The conversation also touches on early church beliefs regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity, responses to biblical passages that challenge her sinlessness, and how to cultivate a personal relationship with Mary and the saints.

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Questions Covered:

03:05 – Why does it matter for a catholic to believe Mary is sinless
13:05 – Did the early church believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary or is that a doctrine that developed over time.
17:07 – My Protestant friend cites Luke 2:48 (where Mary asks Jesus how he could do that to them at the finding in the Temple) to show she is not sinless.
23:40 – How can I have a more personal relationship with Mary, or other saints? Is that even possible in the same way it is with Jesus?
32:55 – My evangelical friends object to papal statements that say people who deny certain Marian doctrines are outside the faith. They say this is adding additional criteria for salvation. How do I respond?
42:50 – In John 20 Christ tells Mary Magdalen not to touch him because he hasn’t risen to his Father yet. But later he tells Thomas to touch him. Why the different answers?
46:30 – I’m about to start OCIA. I want to lean more into a relationship with Mary. But I grew up in an Evangelical background, and it feels strange. I keep on thinking about how I need to make sure I’ve giving more reverence to Jesus.
52:38 – How is it that Jesus and Mary could experience the effects of original sin when they didn’t have original sin?

#12782 Explain the Assumption, Death Penalty, and Orthodoxy – Why Aren’t You Catholic? - Tom Nash Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

“Can you explain the Assumption?” This question opens a discussion on the Marian dogmas, addressing common struggles with understanding them. The episode also touches on discerning the differences between Orthodox and Catholic beliefs regarding Peter’s role, as well as the Catholic teaching on the death penalty and its evolution under Pope Francis.

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Questions Covered:

05:25 – I have been looking into the Catholic Faith for a while. I have struggled with the Marian dogmas, especially the Assumption.
17:34 – How do you discern whether or not the Orthodox or Catholics are correct, specifically whether or not Peter is first among equals or infallible?
29:55 – Why is it that Catholics say you can’t spread ashes, but when it comes to saints you divide up their body parts?
35:37 – Can you explain the Catholic teaching on the death penalty? Did it change with Pope Francis?
41:35 – I am sympathetic to Catholic traditions and have tried to go through OCIA. But my husband has decided that our family is not going to be Catholic. I want to be a respectful spouse.
50:58 – I’m trying to love my wife back into the faith. She was raised Catholic but stopped practicing. She goes to a Protestant church where the sermons are peppered with anti-Catholic remarks. I think this creates a major barrier for a lot of people to become Catholic.

#12781 What Obstacles Keep Us from Healthy Relationships? Dating and Marriage - Rose Sweet Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

“What obstacles keep us from healthy relationships?” This question opens a discussion on the challenges individuals face in becoming marriage-ready, alongside insights on how media representations can influence perceptions of relationships. Other topics include the moral considerations of premarital intimacy for older couples and the implications of annulment on family planning.

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Questions Covered:

03:40 – What obstacles keep people from being marriage ready?
31:38 – I’ve noticed in a lot of media relationships are not portrayed in a healthy way. What would be good to see in stories and shows to model healthy relationships?
36:55 – My friend is a widower and is now dating a widow. He asked if it is a sin to have premarital sex in old age and in their circumstance?
49:21 – I’ve been married for 8 years and am going through the annulment process for my previous marriage. Should we wait until that annulment is complete before we try to conceive a child?

#12780 What Makes Isaiahs Prophecies Unique? Jesus and the Messiah - Jimmy Akin Jun 27, 2026

Show notes

“What makes Isaiah’s prophecies unique?” Isaiah’s writings from the 700s B.C. present some of the first clear and explicit predictions of the Messiah, including titles like “Wonderful Counselor” and “Prince of Peace.” Additionally, the discussion touches on how Daniel 7 influenced Jewish expectations of the Messiah and addresses objections regarding Jesus’ fulfillment of these prophecies.

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Questions Covered:

00:30 – You point to Isaiah, writing in the 700s B.C., as providing the first clear and explicit prophecies of the Messiah: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” What makes these passages different from what came before?
20:15 – Some Jews read Daniel 7 and concluded that the Messiah would be a heavenly “Son of Man,” hidden with God before creation. That later became Jesus’ favorite title for himself. What would that title have communicated to his original audience?
34:00 – One major Jewish objection is that Jesus did not establish universal peace, restore the Davidic throne in Jerusalem, or complete everything associated with the messianic age. How can Christians say he fulfilled the prophecies?
42:45 – A skeptic might respond that Jesus intentionally acted out certain prophecies or that the Gospel writers shaped their narratives to make him appear to fulfill them. How much of the evidence can those explanations account for?

#12779 Can Historical Evidence Prove Jesus as Messiah? Judaism, Islam - Jimmy Akin Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

“Can historical evidence prove Jesus as Messiah?” This question opens a discussion on the differing claims of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam regarding Jesus. The conversation also touches on the expectations of the Messiah in Judaism at the time of Christ and the significance of the Davidic covenant in shaping messianic hope. Additionally, the role of Isaiah’s prophecies in this context is examined.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – Jimmy, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam all make different claims about Jesus. Christians say he is the divine Messiah. Judaism does not accept him as the Messiah. Islam calls him the Messiah but denies central Christian beliefs about him. Can historical and biblical evidence help us determine which view is correct?
06:20 – In the introduction, you lay out the book’s argument in four steps . . . Give us the thirty-thousand-foot view of that case.
07:20 – Before we examine Jesus, what did Judaism at the time of Christ actually expect the Messiah to be and accomplish?
19:30 – Everything in the messianic hope seems to hinge on King David and the promise God made him in 2 Samuel 7—that his throne would be established forever. Tell us about the Davidic covenant and why it matters so much.
36:15 – Then came the Babylonian exile, and suddenly there was no son of David on the throne. How did the Jewish people get from that apparently failed promise to the expectation of a future Messiah?
49:25 – You point to Isaiah, writing in the 700s B.C., as providing the first clear and explicit prophecies of the Messiah: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” What makes these passages different from what came before?

#12778 Do Miracles Still Happen Today? Lourdes and Catholicism - Tim Staples Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

“Do miracles still happen today?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of miracles in the context of Lourdes and Catholicism. Other topics include the thorough investigations the Church conducts on reported miracles and the significance of the miraculous events at Lourdes, as well as the awareness of our loved ones in heaven regarding our lives.

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Questions Covered:

01:00 – Do Miracles Still happen today?
39:48 – I’m a new Catholic and have a Pentecostal background like Tim. It has been very reassuring to me that the Catholic Church does do so much investigation of these miracles.
42:29 – I’m considering Catholicism. But the Lourdes thing confuses me. Lourdes has millions of visitors per year. Why is 72 out of millions significant?
47:35 – Are our loved ones in heaven aware of the details in our lives?

#12777 How Much Can a Priest Change in the Mass? Communion and More - Tom Nash Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

“How much can a priest change in the Mass?” This question opens a discussion on the boundaries of liturgical modifications, alongside inquiries about the sacrilege of receiving communion in the hand, the optional nature of certain prayers during the Communion rite, and the significance of the priest’s gestures before the Gospel reading.

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Questions Covered:

02:40 – How much is the priest allowed to change things in the mass?
10:40 – How do we answer sedevacantist who say that prior popes made it a sacrilege to receive communion in the hand?
13:00 – In the Communion rite, in the preparation, sometimes there is a prayer the priest says and sometimes there is not — is it optional?
21:35 – i finally have made the decision to come to the Catholic church. Getting to talk to Tom last week about hyperdulia really helped. I was hoping for a book suggestion for Catholic basics.
23:20 – At what point during the Mass does the bread and wine become Jesus?
31:05 – what is the difference between infallibility & indefectability? The English translation for indefectability seems to indicate the Church is without error, but how if Clergy are sinners?
33:00 – When the priest is about to read the gospel, he makes the sign of the cross on his forehead, lips, and heart. What is the significance of that? Are there words that accompany that?
34:38 – I’m in the Reformed tradition. I was taught that Catholic Mass was like sacrificing Jesus over and over again, but I’ve never actually asked a Catholic their view of that. What is the Catholic view of that?
46:54 – If you go to a SSPX Mass after the upcoming illicit consecrations is it a mortal sin?
50:55 – What should an extraordinary minister of holy communion do when people come up with hands crossed for a blessing?

#12776 Is Catholicism a False Church if Eastern Bishops Left? Salvation and Liturgy - William Albrecht Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

“Is Catholicism a false church?” This question opens a discussion on the validity of Catholicism compared to Eastern Orthodoxy, particularly regarding changes in liturgy and fasting rules. The conversation also addresses whether first-century Christians prayed to saints and explores what Catholics believe about salvation in contrast to the “once saved, always saved” perspective.

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Questions Covered:

04:35 – Considering Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy. If the majority of bishops left the RCC, is that a sign they are a false church? Also, if Catholics changed liturgy/fasting rules while EO have been consistent, is that a sign they are a false church?
20:30 – How to Respond to the claim. Did first-century Christians pray to the saints? My protestant friend says it started in the third century.
31:05 – What do Catholics believe they have to do to be saved, and how do I respond to the once saved always saved belief? What are simple verses to refute that?
42:22 – Agnostic Brother Asked thinks Christianity is too Anthropocentric. He has a hard time believing that the universe was made for human beings primarily.
47:20 – Best Friend and brother want to convert to EO because of the filioque. How can I respond?

#12775 Why Do Catholics Believe Peter is the Rock? Is Jesus the Rock? - William Albrecht Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

“Why Do Catholics Believe Peter is the Rock? Is Jesus the Rock?” This question opens a discussion on the interpretation of Matthew and the role of popes. Other topics include addressing misconceptions about Jesus’s sacrifice and the necessity of works for salvation, as well as arguments for the papacy and responses to claims about Catholic traditions resembling those of the Pharisees.

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Questions Covered:

02:30 – Catholics say Peter is the Rock in Matthew. But certain popes say Jesus is the rock?
10:35 – My friend says that Catholics Don’t Believe Jesus’s Sacrifice was Perfect. And that Catholics must do extra things to be saved. How do I respond?
17:45 – Not Catholic Cause no arguments for the Papacy are convincing. He believes in contingency argument to believe in God. But he needs a good argument like that for the papacy.
37:48 – If the Tree gave Adam and eve the knowledge of good and evil. How would they even know eating the apple was bad?
46:10 – How can I respond to the claim that Catholics are modern Pharisees? How are Catholic traditions any different than what the Pharisees did?

#12774 Is God Good If a Boy Feels Like a Girl? Acceptance and Love - Jason Evert Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

“Is God good if a boy feels like a girl?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of identity and divine creation. Other topics include navigating friendships after expressing disagreement with same-sex marriage, the Church’s training for priests to support same-sex attracted individuals, and the impact of hormones on mental health.

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Questions Covered:

10:00 – Is a boy who says he “feels like a girl” or vice-versa basically saying God is not good at creating?
18:33 – I had a friend who I learned who was going to marry another man. I told him I couldn’t go to the wedding. Because of this I learned a bunch of my friends are gay and they are now mad at me. How can I make amends with them?
33:15 – What kind of training is the Church giving priests to minister to same-sex attracted people? When I was in high school (60+ years ago) the priest wouldn’t even talk to me.
36:50 – Does the use of hormones in contraception and in our food have an effect on mental health?
48:25 – I’m all about inclusion and acceptance. What has helped me is that when I notice the haters, I ask them “imagine if a woman’s brain went into your body and your brain went into her body. And then the doctor asks you what gender are you.” That makes people think.

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