Catholic Answers Live

Latest Episodes:

#12743 How is the Mass Christ’s Sacrifice? Indulgences and Scripture - Karlo Broussard Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

“How is the Mass Christ’s sacrifice?” This question leads to a discussion on how Catholics view the Mass as the re-presentation of Christ’s single sacrifice, despite the experience of imperfection after attending. Other topics include the validity of saying “My Lord and My God” during consecration, and how to address challenges to the authenticity of Scripture.

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Questions Covered:

05:35 – Catholics believe that the Mass is the re-presentation of the single sacrifice of Christ, which Hebrews 10:14 says makes us perfect. But Catholics attend Mass and leave not perfected. Therefore, the Mass must not be the single sacrifice of Christ.
16:02 – A couple weeks ago I heard someone on CA say that you shouldn’t say “My Lord and My God” at the consecration. But my priest told me there is actually a partial indulgence for doing this. What’s true?
23:52 – How do you navigate the constant bombardment of people who deny the authenticity of scripture?
33:52 – Was Jesus always there from the beginning with God?
43:46 – The Hail Mary and the Hail Holy Queen seem like idolatry to me.
50:20 – What do Catholics believe about predestination? Is every event meant to be?

#12742 How Do I Deal With Being the Only Catholic? Community Tips - Cy Kellett Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

“How do I deal with being the only Catholic?” This question resonates with many, especially those navigating family dynamics. The discussion also touches on finding a Catholic community as a young adult, managing heated debates with family members, and approaching the sensitive topic of conversion without causing conflict.

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Questions Covered:

02:28 – How do you deal with being the only Catholic in the family?
20:50 – I’m 21 and the only Catholic in my family. How do I find a Catholic community?
29:56 – I’m the only Catholic in my family. How do I keep cool when having a heated debate with my brother?
34:24 – I’m converting and will be the only Catholic in my family. How do I break this news to my family without burning bridges?

#12741 Is Addictive Personality Real? Faith, Healing, and Recovery - Scott Weeman Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

“Is addictive personality real?” This question opens a discussion on the complexities of addiction, including insights on how to recognize an addictive personality. Other topics include strategies for helping a son struggling with nicotine and vaping, the intersection of faith and recovery in programs like Al Anon, and the role of sacraments in overcoming addiction.

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Questions Covered:

06:10 – Is there Such a thing as an addictive personality and how do i know i have one?
13:46 – I think my son struggles with nicotine and vaping, possibly some ADD. I think he is self-medicating. Any suggestions on how to help him?
18:50 – I was part of Al Anon and I feel like it brought me back to my Catholic faith. Ultimately I stopped going because they seemed to shun my Catholicism. Yet, it is interesting that they say they are a God-centered program.
29:16 – I have been in a 12 step program for food addiction for almost 20 years. I have recently had the epiphany that I can continue those meetings, but also go to Catholic in Recovery meetings where I can feel more relaxed about being open about my faith.
35:01 – I think the sacraments were the force that pulled me out of addiction.
41:09 – I sobered up in AA. I found that most people there who were against talking about Catholic faith were people who grew up Catholic but were hurt in some way. I found after a meeting was a great time to do apologetics.
47:59 – My dad is elderly and an alcoholic. Now he is sick. If he stopped his drinking his medication would work better. I don’t know how to approach it. Sometimes I feel like I’m giving up on him.
52:38 – I was addicted to pornography and I’m wondering if I’m doing the right thing by staying away from it.

#12740 Can You Help Me Understand the Catholic Focus on Mary? Salvation and Prayer - Jimmy Akin May 30, 2026

Show notes

“Can you help me understand the Catholic focus on Mary?” This question opens a discussion on the role of Mary in Catholicism, addressing why Catholics pray to her rather than solely to God. The conversation also touches on the Catholic version of salvation compared to the Protestant Romans Road and explores the nuances of the Catholic view of heaven.

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Questions Covered:

00:59 – Can you help me understand the Catholic focus on Mary? Why not just pray to God in Jesus’ name?
23:03 – The Protestants have Romans Road. Is there a Catholic version of that — a list of quick bullet points on how to get saved?
29:15 – It seems like many Protestants have a kind of flat view of heaven — you are either in or you are out. Is the Catholic view more nuanced than that?
39:58 – I’m a new Catholic. Can you give me advice on how to hear God’s voice when we pray?

#12739 How Do I Get to Heaven? Ancestors and Presumption - Jimmy Akin May 29, 2026

Show notes

“How do I get to heaven?” This question opens a discussion on the Catholic understanding of salvation, alongside intriguing inquiries about recognizing loved ones in heaven, including those we’ve never met, and the importance of guarding against presumption regarding our eternal destiny.

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Questions Covered:

02:20 – How do Catholics get to heaven?
20:35 – In heaven how will we know the people in our lives that we never met (like a miscarried child or an ancestor)?
40:17 – How do we guard against being presumptuous about going to heaven?

#12738 What Has Tim Learned After 25 Years of Apologetics? Faith and Authority - Tim Staples May 29, 2026

Show notes

“What has Tim learned after 25 years of apologetics?” In this episode, Tim reflects on his extensive experience in Catholic apologetics, addressing questions such as the obligation of Catholics to follow Ember Days and the trustworthiness of the Catholic Church’s authority. He also tackles challenges faced by parents with children who have left the faith and discusses the complexities of interfaith dialogue regarding the nature of God.

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Questions Covered:

02:00 – What has Tim Staples Learned after a quarter -century of doing Catholic Apologetics?
14:55 – Are Catholics still obliged to follow Ember Day?
18:20 – Why should we trust the Catholic Church and its authority? My friend is a non-Catholic and is concerned he will be deceived. He is trying to trust the Catholic Church but doesn’t know how.
41:34 – My adult son has left the faith and challenges me about it. He sent me a video of someone saying if Adam and Eve are the parents of humanity, how did we end up with so many races and genetic backgrounds. How would we answer this?
49:15 – Why does the Catechism teach Muslims worship the same God, when the God of the Koran is so vastly different from the God of the Bible? Is there a way to tell if another monotheistic religion worships the same God or not?

#12737 Why Did the Church End Weekly Fasting? Communion and Mary - Tom Nash May 28, 2026

Show notes

“Why did the Church end weekly fasting?” This question opens a discussion on the evolution of Church practices, alongside inquiries about the Church’s stance on jousting, the concept of limbo for infants, and the pastoral duties of priests. These topics reflect the diverse concerns and curiosities within the Catholic faith today.

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Questions Covered:

02:50 – Why Did the church kill off weekly fasting?
08:00 – I have heard the Church banned jousting. Does that mean we can’t do that at Medieval Times?
13:27 – Is it acceptable for Catholics to believe in the limbo of the infants?
19:13 – How do I articulate the Catholic position that it is not faith alone that saves, without sounding like our works save us?
28:00 – Modeling Jesus in Dating Before Marriage
34:36 – I’ve been going through some ongoing stalking, hacking, and financial fraud. I thought I could go to the Church for help but they don’t seem to be able to offer me support. What are the pastoral duties of a priest? I’ve been thinking of leaving the Catholic Church because of this.
43:54 – Why is it the norm in the US to receive communion in the hand and standing? Why did it change from what seems to be a more reverent posture?
48:09 – How can the Church hold up Mary and Joseph as an ideal marriage, when they did not consummate and therefore it would not have had a sacramental marriage?
51:23 – When should you leave your parish for another parish based on your priest teaching false things? My priest is very loving and kind, but is not on board with some doctrines and some sexual teaching of the Church?

#12736 Why Don’t We See Charismatic Gifts? Original Sin and God - William Albrecht May 28, 2026

Show notes

“Why don’t we see more of the charismatic gifts in the Catholic Church?” This question opens a discussion that also touches on the nature of original sin and God’s relationship with evil, as well as addressing concerns about Pope Vigilius and responses to objections regarding God’s presence. The conversation provides clarity on these diverse theological topics.

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Questions Covered:

03:18 – Why don’t I see more of the charismatic gifts in the Catholic Church?
11:09 – Discussion with Non-denom Sister. Thinks Jesus was not free from original sin and God created evil. Looking for Bible focused responses for the idea that God is completely incompatible with sin.
19:00 – Did Pope Vigilius go against earlier popes in the 3 chapter controversy.
29:25 – An orthodox objection. What’s a good response to the idea that we only see God in his energies.
34:00 – How do I speak about the Catholic Faith to my friends and family who say Catholicism is too complicated?
46:14 – If I become Catholic, do I need a new name?

#12735 How Do I Explain That Jesus Is God? Mary and Orthodox Views - William Albrecht May 27, 2026

Show notes

“How do I explain that Jesus is God?” This question leads to a discussion on the nature of Christ and the Trinity, while also addressing related topics such as the historical disagreements between Catholics and Orthodox on the canon of scriptures and the evolving emphasis on Mary in the Church. Additional questions touch on interfaith relationships and early church governance.

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Questions Covered:

03:35 – When did Catholics and Orthodox begin to disagree on the canon of scriptures?
15:00 – Why don’t we hear anything about Mary? It seems like the Church has much more emphasis on her now than in early church?
24:28 – How do I explain to my family members that Jesus is God?
35:20 – My son is dating a Ukrainian Orthodox girl. Are they in line with the Roman catholic church? Can you give me 3 similarities and differences between the two?
42:46 – I’m Not Trinitarian because Jesus has a proper name, the Father has a proper name. But the Holy Spirit does not have a proper name.
47:47 – Was there more of a democracy of bishops in the early church? I don’t want to jump into a system similar to Mormonism again.

#12734 Can Salvation Happen Outside the Church? Peter and Paul - Karlo Broussard May 27, 2026

Show notes

“Can salvation happen outside the Church?” This question opens a discussion on the Catholic understanding of salvation, addressing concerns from Protestants about Church teachings. Other topics include navigating a past as a Protestant while exploring Catholicism and the reasoning behind Paul’s letter to the Romans despite Peter’s presence in the city.

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Questions Covered:

02:23 – I have many protestants tell me that they would never become Catholic because the Church teaches salvation outside the Church.
11:38 – I became Protestant in 2021 and am now looking into Catholicism. How do I process my past life?
22:10 – If Peter was in Rome then why did Paul write the letter to the Romans?
34:57 – Do Christian who are hostile to the Catholic Church still have invincible ignorance?

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