Catholic Answers Live

William Albrecht, Catholic apologist and founder of Patristic Pillars, explores early Church controversies and historical claims. He examines Constantine and Nicaea, the canon agreed at Florence, and how early bishops exercised authority. Short, lively takes cover differing apostolic canons, the origins of Eucharistic words, and how prayer and Mass relate to responses like aiding souls in purgatory.

Tom Nash, staff apologist and liturgy expert, explains why praying the Rosary during Mass is discouraged and how personal devotion fits communal worship. He clarifies why Communion is often given in one kind, separates legend from history about the Holy Family in Egypt, and outlines practical steps around annulments and reception of reconciliation during RCIA.

Carrie Gress, philosopher, author, and mother who studies Christianity and cultural trends, joins to trace feminism’s roots and contest simple definitions. She examines feminism’s historical currents, links to spiritual movements, effects on women’s happiness, and strategies for charitable conversations about contested issues.

Tom Nash, Catholic apologist and liturgy expert who explains Mass practice and history. He tackles Lenten customs like holy water and veiling statues. He discusses whether the Mass is a continued sacrifice and how to explain the Eucharist to Protestants. He also covers why the Mass changed from Latin and what to expect at a traditional Latin Mass.

Fr. Gregory Pine, a Dominican priest and theologian who teaches theology and wrote Training the Tongue, discusses sins and virtues of speech. He talks about overcoming cussing and cultivating richer language. He considers blasphemy in acting and viewers’ responsibility. He explores little lies, equivocation, and how to correct disrespectful speech with charity.

Fr. Sebastian Walsh, Norbertine priest and author, explains theological and pastoral questions with clarity. He explores scriptural and typological reasons for St. Joseph’s assumed fate. Short segments cover Douay–Rheims translations, praying for souls in purgatory versus asking their help, clergy head coverings in Mass, offering Masses for non-Catholics, and how we know Jesus’ words in Gethsemane.

When exactly can Catholics fulfill their Easter duty, and why does the Church require it? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Jimmy Akin answers thoughtful questions from listeners on a wide range of topics. He explains how we know the Scriptures are divinely inspired without falling into circular reasoning, discusses theories about the causes of same-sex attraction, and examines whether monastic life conflicts with the Church’s mission to evangelize. Jimmy also explores the relationship between the Eucharist and the resurrection of the body, moral responsibility for actions done in ignorance, whether swallowing something stuck in your teeth breaks the Eucharistic fast, and how Catholic moral theology evaluates difficult scenarios like stopping a hijacked plane. A wide-ranging discussion covering Scripture, moral theology, and practical questions about living the Catholic faith. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:00 – When can you fulfill your Easter duty? 11:07 – How can we know that the Scriptures are divinely inspired? The idea that “the Church says the Scriptures are divinely inspired because the Church has the authority to say so, but the Church has the authority to say so because the Scriptures give them the authority to” feels like a circular argument. I know there’s more to it, but I can’t quite articulate it, so any help would be appreciated! 19:33 – Have you in your learnings come to understand what causes Same-Sex Attraction? Is there a theory you find convincing? Do you have a theory of your own? 29:11 – Is monasticism selfish?  For example, how could have the apostles fulfilled the Great Commission if they were cloistered? And how would that apply today?  Can evangelization be accomplished from inside a monastic cell? 39:54 – It seems to me that God’s ultimate goal is to get us back bodily in heaven with him. Would that be like the garden of Eden again and how does us eating the eucharist help with that? Or does it? It seems we need to eat our savior to be bodily with God like he is. Is this correct or am I going somewhere I shouldn’t with this line of reasoning? 44:17 – If somebody does something evil out of stupidity, how responsible is he for said action? Can he be at least partly excused? 47:58 – This might sound silly, but I’ve wondered it a lot: If you are in mass and you’ve fasted the hour but find something in your teeth, does it break the fast to swallow it?  50:00 – Would it be moral to shoot down a hijacked plane full of civilians over an unpopulated area, if it is believed the hijackers intend to crash it in a populated area? Would this be considered doing evil that good may come of it or double effect?

Are generational curses real, and does the Bible support the idea that sins can pass down through families? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Jimmy Akin tackles a wide range of fascinating questions from listeners. He explains the Church’s teaching on generational curses, whether Christians can eat food offered to other gods, and when it may be morally permissible to disobey unjust laws. Jimmy also explores deeper philosophical and theological questions, including how we can experience happiness in Heaven before the resurrection of the body, whether a pope emeritus remains a cardinal, and whether delaying confession can itself become sinful. A thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion covering moral theology, Church authority, and practical Catholic living. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 00:55 – Is there such a thing as generational curses? 13:21 – Could you please summarize the church’s teaching on food offered to other gods? Is it a sin to eat it if it’s offered to me or is it fine if I just think of it as something to eat? 20:09 – When does illegally acquired power become legal? For example, when can a Chinese person stop obeying the authorities in Taiwan, and henceforth honor the ruling Communists?  23:27 – Yes, can you please explain when, if ever, it is okay to disobey laws and rules? Also, while vigilantism is against Catholic teaching, when, if ever, is it appropriate to try to restore justice as an ordinary citizen if corruption has gone so far? Sorry, I know this is very broad but I appreciate any thoughts. Thank you so much. God bless you always, Jimmy. 34:13 – How can we be happy in Heaven before the general resurrection if happiness is dependent on chemicals in our brains? 44:34 – Is a pope emeritus still a cardinal, or would the next pope need to create his predecessor as a cardinal again so that he could vote in a conclave again?  49:00 – Is it an additional sin to delay confession if you know you need to go? Someone on X argued Aquinas says delaying confession is not a sin. I argued that he says it’s impractical to go “immediately,” but it can still be a sin depending on your access to a priest and why you delay.

Tim Staples, Catholic apologist and author, provides clear theological perspective and answers callers' questions. He tackles whether ecumenism means compromising doctrine. He explores the Church’s stance toward modern culture. He traces apostolic authority to bishops and reflects on biblical stories like David and Bathsheba.

Rose Sweet, Catholic author, speaker, and life coach who turned personal marital suffering into practical counsel. She tells her caregiving story and talks about setting boundaries, practicing healthy detachment, keeping an eternal perspective, offering suffering to Christ, and using art, prayer, and annulment guidance to navigate relationship trials.