Question: Does the Bible support the Catholic belief that, in the Mass, the bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ? Answer: It certainly does! Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper when he said of the bread, “Take, eat, this is my body,” and of the wine, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of … Continue reading
Question; Where does the Bible support the authority of the papacy? Answer: The passages that support papal authority all center on Peter. This is because Peter was the first pope of the Church, and every pope who comes after him receives the same power and authority that Peter first held. I don’t have room to provide each passage, so you’ll have to look them up … Continue reading
Question: Where does Scripture say that Mary was conceived without sin? Answer: First, note the parallel between Mary and the ark of the Old Covenant: Both Mary (cf. Lk 1:39) and the ark (cf. 2 Sam 6:2) arise and go to Judah. Both Mary (cf. Lk 1:56) and the ark (cf. 2 Sam 6:11) reside for 3 months in their new locations. David leaps with … Continue reading
Question: What is the “fall of the angels”? Is this in Scripture anywhere? Answer: At the beginning of time the angels in heaven were given a choice: follow God or rebel against Him. That a resident of heaven would ever rebel against God is one of the great mysteries of our faith. At any rate, some of them decided to rebel and they were thus … Continue reading
Question: Why can’t women be priests? Isn’t that discrimination? Answer: Well, if the priesthood was reserved to men because the Church thought that men were better or superior to women, then that would be discrimination. But, that’s not the reason why women can’t be priests. The crux of this issue is the nature of the priesthood and the sacrament that the priest makes present. Every … Continue reading
Question: I was reading a commentary on the Bible that said it used the “early Church fathers” as a guide in interpreting the various passages of the Bible. Who are the “early Church fathers” and how much weight should their writings have in our understanding of the Bible? Answer: The early Church fathers are those men from the first few centuries of the Church who, … Continue reading
Question: I am a cradle Catholic who has become disenchanted with the Church. What books would you recommend I read that will convince me to come back? Answer: It is very admirable of you to give Catholicism a second chance. Some people give little thought to abandoning the Church of their youth, yet I see from your words that you consider this to be a … Continue reading