Catholic Answers Live

Latest Episodes:

#12702 What Does It Mean That Marriage Is Sacred? Healing and Virtue - Gregory Popcak May 05, 2026

Show notes

“What does it mean to say that marriage is sacred?” This question opens a discussion on the profound nature of marriage within the Catholic faith. Additional topics include how to support adult children during a parent’s annulment and navigating challenges in a marriage with an irreligious spouse. The conversation also touches on fostering virtue and healing after divorce.

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Questions Covered:

01:35 – What does it mean to say that marriage is sacred?
14:40 – I’m new to the Catholic faith. I have adult children, have received an annulment, and am getting married. How can I help my non-Catholic adult children deal with the fact that the Church is saying their mom and dad were not really married.
20:25 – I’m struggling with my husband who is mostly irreligious (nominally Lutheran) and very controlling. He doesn’t seem to be very interested in being part of the family. People tell me I shouldn’t stay in the marriage.
33:49 – As a friend of someone who recently went through a divorce, how can I bring my friend into a closer relationship with God, and help in healing from the divorce. He practices the faith but does not have a very close relationship with God.
41:29 – How can a wife approach her husband about growing in virtue. She is nervous about asking him to do something that would require him to sacrifice.
48:42 – I’ve been separated from my husband for 20 years. He is finally going to counseling, but won’t do marriage counseling because he says he needs to work on his own trauma first. Any advice?
53:10 – How does one learn to prepare for marriage? I’ve been married almost 40 years and wondering how to teach this to my kids.

#12701 What Is the Most Beautiful Aspect of Catholic Faith? Mass and Relationship - Adrian Lawson May 04, 2026

Show notes

“What is the most beautiful aspect of Catholic faith?” This question opens a discussion on the profound elements of faith that often go uncommunicated in apologetics. The conversation also touches on how to rekindle a personal relationship with God after conversion, finding beauty in the Mass despite familiarity, and responding to evangelical critiques.

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Questions Covered:

06:20 – What is the most beautiful aspect of the Catholic faith that you didn’t think you were communicating while doing apologetics?
18:50 – I’m in a similar situation. I converted due to a relationship but now I’m all head knowledge. How do I get back to the relationship part?
42:38 – How do you find beauty in the mass when you’ve gone all your life and have almost become desensitized to it?
49:00 – How would you respond to evangelical counters to what you’re saying?

#12700 How Can Couples Decide When They Disagree? Prayer and Unity - Jimmy Akin May 02, 2026

Show notes

“How can couples decide when they disagree?” This question addresses the complexities of decision-making in marriage, especially when spouses hold opposing views that could lead to sin. Additionally, the discussion touches on whether a Catholic can pray in a Bahai temple, how to counter Jehovah’s Witnesses’ views on the Church, and the connections between ancient Hebrew weddings and the Mass.

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Questions Covered:

03:45 – In a marriage, if the consciences of the husband and wife are formed to have an opposite opinion on something, such that if option A is chosen then the wife is sinning, and if option B is chosen the husband is sinning — how can they make a decision?
17:20 – I was invited by a friend to say a prayer in a Bahai temple. Is it okay for a Catholic to do that?
21:47 – I asked some Jehovah’s Witnesses how they justified their restorationist view of the Church. What scripture might they cite for their explanation, and how might I counter that?
29:18 – I have been studying ancient Hebrew weddings. And there are so many connections between that and the Mass. I’m wondering why we don’t see more catechesis based on this — is there some kind of danger in it?
42:25 – What language do you think Adam and Eve spoke?

#12699 If Jesus Was Jewish, Why Are We Christian? Annulments, Yoga - Jimmy Akin May 01, 2026

Show notes

“If Jesus was Jewish, why are we Christian?” This question opens a discussion on the roots of Christianity and its relationship to Judaism. The episode also addresses the necessity of seeking truth in a diverse worldview, the implications of practicing yoga or transcendental meditation for Catholics, and the annulment process for converts.

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Questions Covered:

02:20 – If Jesus was Jewish, why are we Christian?
12:50 – What is a succinct way to argue for the necessity of finding the truest thing? I see some non-Catholic friends happy that I’ve found a cohesive worldview, but they don’t see any reason why they should investigate such a thing.
20:30 – Is it objective grave matter for Catholics to practice yoga or transcendental meditation?
33:30 – Why do converts seeking annulments from marriages before their conversion have to go through that process? It seems like a barrier to evangelization — “Hey, you should be Catholic. But you might never be able to receive communion if you aren’t granted an annulment from a marriage you had before you were even Catholic.”
44:55 – Do you think the story about the woman with seven husbands that the Sadducees questioned Jesus about is the story of Tobit?
50:12 – I am theologically not committed. I see that Christianity seems evidence based, but I don’t feel drawn to it. Any thoughts?

#12698 What Would It Take for Catholics and Orthodox to Reunite? Marriage Validity and Confession - Tim Staples May 01, 2026

Show notes

“What would it take for Catholics and Orthodox to reunite?” This question opens a discussion on the complexities of Christian unity, while also addressing varied topics such as the validity of a non-Catholic marriage without civil ceremony, the necessity of confession after salvation, and the differences in gospel accounts of the women at the tomb.

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Questions Covered:

01:35 – What would it take for the Catholics and Orthodox to reunite?
14:48 – Is my mom’s marriage valid? She and he are non-Catholic but baptized. She didn’t get civilly married, but it was a public ceremony with witnesses. Both were married before, but those previous spouses have died.
18:30 – I was told that once you are saved there is no need for confession. How does a Catholic respond to that?
29:29 – I heard a Protestant say we have the same spirit that raised Lazarus from the dead. Is that true?
35:00 – Why do the four gospels list different women at the tomb?
40:16 – My wife and I are converts. We were non-Catholics when we married. It was a non-Church ceremony at an embassy. There were not vows. But it was a legal marriage. Are we married in the Church? Do we need to have it convalidated?
47:27 – Does the Church infallibly teach that Mary had no actual sin?
51:05 – Could you comment on how the prodigal son narrative relates to the act of confession? Is this parable an example of confession?

#12697 Did Mary and Joseph Doubt Jesus? Prayer, Divorce, and Faith - William Albrecht Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

“Did Mary and Joseph doubt Jesus?” This question leads to a discussion about their understanding of His identity, especially during the incident at the temple. Other topics include the appropriateness of repeating prayers for healing, navigating faith in the context of divorce, and clarifying the status of the Ethiopian Bible.

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Questions Covered:

02:10 – Did Mary and Joseph not trust or know who Jesus was by the time they lost him at the temple?
14:15 – Is it wrong to repeat prayers? For example, to ask many times for a sick friend to be healed?
28:40 – I’m a godparent to a child in a family where the husband and wife are divorcing.
36:50 – What is the status of the Ethiopian Bible? Is it considered inspired?
44:30 – I was born and raised Catholic and am starting to get back into it. My wife was raised non-Catholic and just converted. In OCIA we got a lot of answers that contradicted Church teaching. Different people are giving different answers that contradict. How do I know what is right?

#12696 Who Was the First Catholic? Animals, Souls, and St. Paul - Joe Heschmeyer Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

“Who was the first Catholic?” This question opens a discussion that also touches on the nature of souls in animals, St. Paul’s views on the second coming, and the meaning behind Jesus’ words about His yoke. The conversation further explores the differences between the King James Version and other biblical texts, as well as Catholic beliefs regarding the Eucharist.

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Questions Covered:

03:55 – Who was the first Catholic?
07:16 – How do you explain to people that animals don’t have souls?
16:32 – I think St. Paul argued that many generations will pass before the second coming. What are your thoughts on that?
24:42 – What does it mean when Jesus says my yoke and burden are light?
31:45 – What do we know about the KJV? How does it compare to the Ethiopian bible and the original bible?
41:33 – Do we as Catholics believe that we’re eating the resurrected body of Christ or are we eating the crucified body of Christ?
47:40 – How hard is it to leave Mormonism?
53:15 – Do Mormons have a concept of a god as a first principle?

#12695 Do Catholics and Mormons Worship the Same God? Doctrine, Faith - Joe Heschmeyer Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

“Do Catholics and Mormons worship the same God?” This question opens a discussion on the fundamental differences in how each faith views God. Additional topics include the reasons behind God’s silence for two millennia, the challenges faced by former satanists in addressing Mormon beliefs, and the complexities of LDS doctrines and their changes over time.

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Questions Covered:

03:15 – What’s the difference in how Catholics and Mormons view God?
12:51 – My father is not baptized but is open to dialogue. His best friend is Mormon so he is always listening to these perspectives. He asked, Why hasn’t God spoken to his people directly for two-thousand years?
18:17 – I’m a former satanist and a new Catholic. How do I help persuade people from not going down the path of Mormonism?
30:17 – According to the LDS who arranges who gets what planet? How do they justify changing doctrines?
37:06 – I’ve heard that Joseph Smith had performed miracles. Is there any evidence of this?
48:21 – I was born and raised Catholic. I was Mormon for 45 years and am now attending a Catholic church. How can you know that the early church had it right?

#12694 What Can Angels Do for Us? Guardian Angels and Grace - Fr. Mike Driscoll Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

“What can angels do for us?” This question opens a discussion on the role of angels in our daily lives, including how they might help us feel more connected to our guardian angels. Other topics include the nature of angelic communication with the deceased, the reasons behind God’s creation of angels, and the intriguing portrayal of angels in art versus scripture.

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Questions Covered:

02:10 – What Can Angels Do in our Daily Lives?
12:55 – My grandparents died in 2006. Can my grandparents communicate with me through angels? SENDS Secrets from heaven.
17:59 – How can you feel more connected to your guardian angel?
22:05 – Do we know why God created angels?
29:39 – Do angels give grace, or help in distributing graces?
33:32 – Can you comment on why angels are portrayed in art as little babies with wings, but in the Bible they seem like they would actually be frightening?
36:14 – Can you comment on the angels’ reaction in the book of Job?
44:35 – When we say the prayer to our guardian angel, ever this day be “at my side,” what does that really mean since angels are in heaven?
48:20 – How do our guardian angels protect us? The way the Bible describes them it seems like they would be too big.
50:04 – What do I call my guardian angel?
51:52 – Aquinas says angels don’t know your thoughts. If that is true then how do guardian angels know what you are thinking?

#12693 Can We Have Assurance of Salvation? Apologetics and Evangelism - John Martignoni Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

“Can we have absolute assurance of salvation?” This question opens a discussion on the nature of faith and security in salvation. Other topics include responding to Southern Baptist views on the parable of Lazarus, the concerns of a Protestant considering OCIA, and strategies for evangelizing Muslims.

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Questions Covered:

02:50 – Can We Have Absolute Assurance of Salvation?
12:38 – How do you respond to a Southern Baptist that denies the story of the Lazarus and rich man establishes the immediate judgement?
20:13 – I’m protestant and considering OCIA but I hesitate on the rules that change in Catholics. How do we know rules won’t change in the future like attending Sunday mass, women veiling, etc.?
32:37 – Is it correct to say the Sadducees and Pharisees had a similar relationship as Catholics and Protestants. Is this true?
43:16 – How do we effectively evangelize Muslims especially when they come across as arrogant and even resort to using foul language?
50:30 – How do I better explain apologetics to a crowd that is not religious at work?

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