Catholic Answers Focus

Some Christians claim that Peter, the man, is not the rock on which Jesus builds his Church, but Peter’s profession of faith is. Actually, no. Apologist Suan Sonna explains why.

Cy Kellett:

Did Jesus really found the Catholic church with a pun? Suan Sonna is next.

Cy Kellett:

Hello, and welcome to Focus, the Catholic Answers Podcast for living, understanding, and defending your Catholic faith. I’m Cy Kellett, your host. And if you engage at all in defending the Catholic faith, one of the things that you will have to defend is the papacy. And in order to do that, you’re goi...

Questions Covered:

05:30 – Why do Catholics deny the idea of once saved always saved if in 1 Jn 3:6 it says, “Whoever keeps sinning has not known Jesus?” 

15:11 – With the recent mass shooting in Texas, is it safe to infer that God does not intervene in these situations due to the respect he has for free will?  

21:36 – What’s the Catholic perspective on the marriage of two protestants? Would the Church consider it a valid marriage? https://www.catholic.com/audio/caf/did-jesus-allow-some-divorce 

28:42 – If Christ gave himself fully for our sins why did he pray “Let this cup pass from me?” I know Catholics reject penal substitution. 

34:51 – Sirach 24:1-16 says that Jesus was created, and we proclaim in the Creed that he was “born of the Father before all ages.” So, is he created? 

40:43 – Do you believe the phrase “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle” is incompatible with the Catholic faith? 

48:02 – I’m watching The Chosen, and I saw before their meals they say the prayer “Blessed are you God…” but we as Catholics say “bless us oh Lord…” When did we start making this prayer centered on us instead of God? 

52:04 – How do we Catholics understand the bible especially since we’re told that the bible has changed multiple times? 

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Questions Covered:

03:26 – If Mary was conceived without sin, how does it not detract from Christ’s divinity? 

24:11 – Does God know if God knows if we are going to heaven or hell? If so, why would he create someone to go to hell? 

42:03 – What’s the consensus on what’s going to happen after the general judgment? 

49:50 – I’ve started feeling uncomfortable praying before meals in public. Is it ok for me to pray in the car so I won’t have to pray in public? 

52:44 – Are the marriages in the Old Testament where the couple remained chaste different from the marriages today that require the marriage to be consummated? 

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Questions Covered:

06:04 – Where is hope in the phrase “Faith working through love?” 

11:42 – What is the Catholic view on Luther’s 95 theses? Do you have any resources to continue my study on it? 

17:49 – How does a person whose mute participate in the sacrament of reconciliation? 

23:05 – How do I respond to a protestant who does not believe in regenerative baptism because they say it can be used as a get out of jail free card? 

28:37 – Jesus told his disciples that he was going to resurrect and when he did, why were they stupefied? Why, if Jesus had prepared them? 

34:53 – Do you know any stories of any impaired people who had near death experiences and remembered a conversation that was had near them that they normally wouldn’t because of their sensory impairment? 

43:12 – Regarding the changes of the Mass after Vatican 2. I go to the new mass, and I’m constantly bombarded by traditionalists. Is it true that they changed the 7 sacraments? 

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Questions Covered:

11:43 – You’re using a lot of emotional language. Why should people object to their decision to choose their gender?

18:41 – I’ve never heard of consecrated virginity until recently. Until when do we start exploring that option?

23:30 Children in the womb are given hormones that make them more masculine or feminine, that is why we have so much confusion.

33:04 – What would you say to someone who struggles with pornography?

36:52 – Could you give me resources on what chastity looks like for a married couple?

42:49 – Wouldn’t the proper term for transgender more accurately be called “tran-neutured?” Is it actually possible to change genders?

46:15 – How does one remain chaste in today’s society when the world only focuses on physical satisfaction?

48:33 – Is it true that women like to fool around before marriage?

51:29 – Hopkins used to do gender reassignment surgeries and stopped because of the high depression rates. Now they are doing them again. Why do you think that is?

Resources Mentioned:

Catholic Answers Live from April 23, 2018: Fr. Hugh Barbour – “Sex After Marriage”

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Questions Covered:

07:03 – I have non-Catholic friends who asked me to preside at their wedding. Is this acceptable?

22:01 – Why don’t Catholics ever bring up the Magnificat as evidence for Mary’s importance?

29:01 – How do I reconcile the differences between these two verses? Mk. 9:40 and Mt. 12:30.

35:27 – What makes the St. Michael Scapular different from a talisman?

39:37 – What’s your opinion on the Sworn Book of Honorius and Solomonic Magic?

44:24 – In John 17, Is that the prayer that Jesus prayed in the garden? Can you recommend books on the early Church?

48:50 – Do Plenary indulgences wipe away all consequences in one fell swoop?

51:17 – Why doesn’t the USCCB come out with a statement about the difference between Church teaching and opposing opinions by Catholic politicians?

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Questions Covered:

17:15 – Is there a cessation of apostolic gifts? 

23:14 – Is it morally acceptable for a supreme court nominee to lie in order to get on the court to strike down abortion? 

35:32 – Who are the watchers mentioned in the book of Enoch? 

41:10 – I grew up believing in the rapture. I was recently told that it’s wrong but was never told what is right. What do Catholics believe? 

48:37 – How can you be absolutely sure that Christianity is the right religion? 

52:25 – How does a physician tell a patient who is near the end that it’s going to be ok? 

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Questions Covered:

03:33 – I heard that historically confessions were in groups and out loud. I heard that they only confessed major mortal sins but not the more minor mortal sins. Is this true? 

11:59 – How do I stay focused on God with secular friends? 

14:48 – Micah 5:5-6 Prophecy of the messiah.  Did this happen in history and how do we interpret this? 

20:38 – Is it morally permissible to help fathers return to their families even though they are not married? Would I possibly be bringing people to cohabitation? 

22:56 – Could you explain typology as a method for interpreting the bible? 

35:06 – Let’s have a time machine and go back in time to the time of Moses. If I tried to touch the Ark of the Covenant, would I be ok since I’m fulfilled through the new covenant? 

42:01 – My non-denominational sister claims that when scripture says “you need to be born of water and spirit” it means amniotic fluid and not baptism. How do I respond? 

49:35 – Is it better to not have kids because of how bad the world is? 

52:50 – Why is it that we are still left with the effects of the Fall after Christ’ redemption? 

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Questions Covered:

8:00 – With corporations now offering their employees funding to cross state lines to get abortions, how should a Catholic handle this? 

22:45 – I’ve learned about alternative coffee shops that donate to pro-life causes. Is that something to consider doing? 

29:02 – Could you explain how you are a married priest? 

31:35 – How do you go about having a relationship without including sexual immorality in order to create a Catholic culture? 

44:11 – I’m interested in writing novels. How can I include my faith in that kind of work? 

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Questions Covered:

02:58 – My biggest issue with the Church is language. You use similar words for different meanings.

19:22 – I’m not Catholic because I don’t know which religion to follow since there’s so many different churches out there. I just believe in Jesus.

30:06 – I was brought up protestant and have recently felt the call to be Catholic. Why did Jesus descend into hell? Where do I start to be Catholic?

36:42 – I’m not Catholic because I don’t believe in Jesus, who I believe is just a fictional character in a book.

48:29 – I’m not Catholic because it seems like a labor-intensive religion.

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