Catholic Answers Live

What does Scripture say about Mary’s perpetual virginity and sinlessness? Is an annulment needed if a spouse dies after a civil divorce? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we explore these and other challenging questions about Catholic teaching and Scripture. Discover the meaning behind Jesus’ command to “take up your cross,” learn how to recognize mortal sin before receiving Communion, and understand the Church’s view on praying for those who die by suicide. We also discuss key Church Fathers to reference in conversations with Calvinists and explore the importance of forgiveness in light of Matthew 5:21–26. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:05 – Where in Scripture can the doctrines of Mary’s perpetual virginity and sinlessness be found or supported? 20:26 – If a person’s spouse dies after a civil divorce, is an annulment still required for the surviving party? 22:24 – When Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow me,” was this a known expression at the time, or only understood after the Crucifixion? 29:20 – Which Church Fathers are most effective to reference in discussions with Calvinists? 42:24 – Is it worthwhile to pray for someone who died by suicide? 47:11 – How can someone know they are free of mortal sin before receiving Holy Communion? 50:16 – What does the Catholic Church teach about the need to forgive as emphasized in Matthew 5:21–26?

What do the sermons in Acts reveal about the early Church’s belief in the Resurrection? Where was Tabitha before her resurrection in Acts 9:40? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we explore deep theological questions about Christ’s human nature during His death, how to explain Original Sin to students, and what good—if any—can come from eternal suffering in Hell. We also address how to explain the mystery of the Trinity to someone from a Latter-day Saints background. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:06 – Do the sermons in the Book of Acts offer early references to the Resurrection similar to the creedal formulations in Corinthians? 12:26 – In Acts 9:40, where was Tabitha before her resurrection? Could it have been Limbo, Purgatory, or another state? 17:12 – During the time Christ was dead, was His human nature still united to the Second Person of the Trinity? If so, how is that explained? 22:59 – What are effective ways to explain Original Sin to students who struggle to understand the concept? 37:12 – If God allows suffering to bring about some good, what possible good can come from the eternal suffering of souls in Hell? 45:55 – How can the doctrine of the Trinity be explained to someone from the Latter-day Saints tradition who wants to understand it?

Can Catholics attend 12-step recovery programs? Are we less spiritually zealous today than the early Church? What’s the proper posture for laity during the Our Father at Mass? And how do ancient texts like the Book of Jubilees align with Catholic tradition on Adam’s burial? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, we dive into these thoughtful questions from listeners across the country. Discover what the Church teaches about appropriate behavior during Mass, explore how Catholic spirituality has changed over time, and examine intriguing connections between biblical traditions and apocryphal writings. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 07:08 – Is it appropriate for a Catholic to attend 12-step recovery programs? 20:57 – Compared to the early Church and the saints, have modern Catholics lost some of their spiritual fervor? 29:07 – Are laypeople supposed to raise their hands during the Our Father at Mass? Is there a resource that explains what’s appropriate for the laity? 46:30 – The Book of Jubilees says Adam was buried next to his son and had a proper funeral. How does this relate to the tradition that Adam’s skull is buried under Calvary?

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, listeners ask deep and thought-provoking questions about Scripture, the sacraments, and God’s love. Why is exact language so essential when administering the sacraments? How can we dispose ourselves to receive God’s love rather than trying to earn it? We also explore the powerful Old Testament moment when Jacob wrestles with the angel—what does it mean, and why is it significant? Join us for a rich conversation that blends theology, spiritual insight, and biblical understanding, helping Catholics and seekers alike grow in knowledge and faith. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 17:21 – Why is precise language necessary in the valid and effective administration of the sacraments? 29:39 – How can a person open themselves to receiving God’s love rather than trying to earn it? 50:20 – What is the theological and spiritual significance of Jacob wrestling with the angel in Scripture?

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Cy Kellett is joined by Catholic apologist Joe Heschmeyer and Catholic Answers President Chris Check to unpack what’s fueling a renewed interest in Catholicism today. From cultural instability and gender confusion to the peace and stability found in the sacramental life, they explore why more people—especially young men—are finding their way to the Catholic Church. They discuss the popular Shameless Popery podcast, a surprising CNN episode titled “Catholicism Is So Hot Right Now,” and how truth, tradition, and meaning are attracting a new generation of seekers.

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, join Cy Kellett, Chris Check, and Joe Heschmeyer for the always-entertaining “Flannel Panel,” where they dive into world events and moral issues through a Catholic lens. Topics include the ethics of war, the phrase “unconditional surrender,” nuclear weapons, and how Catholic just war teaching applies to modern conflicts. They also discuss the sonic boom from a recent SpaceX rocket launch, the moral challenges of technology, and reflections on recent Supreme Court decisions.

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Karlo Broussard answers a range of insightful questions about Scripture, Church teaching, and Catholic doctrine. He explains how Matthew 25 supports the Catholic view that good works are essential for salvation, addresses why the Church typically welcomes converts at the Easter Vigil, and points to biblical evidence for purgatory. Karlo also clarifies how annulments work, discusses the value of formal theological study versus self-education, and offers guidance on teaching the origins of Adam and Eve alongside Church teaching on evolution. Finally, he shares the Catholic perspective on the teachings of John MacArthur. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:49 – How does Matthew 25 support the Catholic view that good works play a role in salvation, in contrast to the Protestant view of faith alone? 12:30 – Why does the Catholic Church typically receive converts during one specific time of the year, such as at the Easter Vigil? 17:54 – Where can the doctrine of purgatory be found in Scripture? 31:02 – When an annulment is granted by the Church, is it effective immediately or does it apply retroactively to the original marriage date? 37:03 – For someone deepening their faith later in life, is it better to pursue formal theological education or engage in structured self-study? 44:10 – What is the Church’s teaching on the origins of Adam and Eve and how can it be effectively taught alongside the theory of evolution? 52:07 – What is the Catholic Church’s perspective on the teachings of Protestant pastor John MacArthur?

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Karlo Broussard answers questions on Catholic doctrine, Church history, and theological distinctions. Why does the Church teach the difference between mortal and venial sin? What is the Catholic response to the idea of ordaining women in the Eastern Orthodox Church? Karlo also clarifies the requirements for conditional baptism and confirmation, explores the similarities and differences between Catholic and Lutheran views on justification, and discusses the traditional order of the sacraments in the Latin Rite. Plus, learn how the early Church understood purgatory and when belief in it began to fade. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 00:59 – Why does the Catholic Church teach the distinction between mortal and venial sin? 16:43 – If the Eastern Orthodox Church were to ordain women, would such ordinations be considered sacramentally valid? 21:49 – What are the conditions under which conditional baptism or confirmation may be granted, and why might one be approved while the other is not? 31:56 – What are the key differences and similarities between the Catholic and Lutheran views on justification? Are they closer than commonly believed? 46:45 – Is there any movement within the Latin Rite to restore the traditional sacramental order—Baptism, Confirmation, then Eucharist—especially for infants? 51:43 – When and why did belief in purgatory begin to decline, and how was it understood in the early Church?

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Dr. Matthew Bunson of EWTN joins us to discuss the historic election of Pope Leo XIV—the first American Pope. Dr. Bunson shares behind-the-scenes insights from his front-row seat at the Vatican during the conclave, including the dramatic moment white smoke signaled a new pontiff. Learn how the voting process unfolded, why the election moved faster than expected, and how the Church and media reacted. Dr. Bunson also discusses his new book, Pope Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope, published by EWTN Publishing. From spiritual significance to journalistic intensity, this episode captures a powerful moment in Church history as experienced by a leading Catholic voice. Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com

In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Fr. Paul Keller joins us to tackle a wide range of questions from Catholics seeking clarity and guidance. Can saints in Heaven and souls in purgatory communicate with us on earth? What can someone do to help a loved one return to the Catholic faith? For those new to the Church, Fr. Keller explains what to expect during Eucharistic adoration and how to participate with reverence. We also explore whether assurance of salvation is possible, especially during life’s trials. What does it mean that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father and the Son”? How can one support a vocation to the priesthood? Join The CA Live Club Newsletter: Click Here Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 09:19 – What are the spiritual capabilities of the saints in Heaven and the souls in purgatory when it comes to communicating with people on earth? 20:31 – What guidance can be given to someone who wants to support a loved one in returning to active participation in the Catholic faith? 28:55 – What should someone new to the Church know about Eucharistic adoration—what to do during it, and any particular postures or gestures to observe? 34:13 – Can a person have any assurance of salvation, especially when facing life’s hardships and uncertainties? 42:49 – What does the phrase “proceeds from the Father and the Son” mean in the context of the Holy Spirit as stated in the Nicene Creed? 48:55 – How can someone support and encourage a family member who is discerning a vocation to the priesthood? 52:19 – What is meant by the term “Catholic guilt,” and how should it be understood within the context of the faith?