#12605 How Can I Help a Protestant Friend? Papacy and Infallibility - Joe Heschmeyer

“How Can I Avoid Gossip?” This question opens a discussion on the implications of cursing and the use of God’s name in vain. Other topics include strategies for overcoming cussing, the moral responsibilities of viewers regarding language in films, and whether little lies can be considered sinful. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 15:16 – My worst habit is cussing. Can you recommend how I can stop? 19:31 – Is it ever acceptable for an actor to take the Lord’s name in vain for a movie? And as viewers do we bear any culpability for viewing it? 31:32 – Are little lies sinful? 42:07 – Is it wrong to say “G.D.”? My dad said it all the time. 45:59 – Rahab lied, but she’s this biblical hero. What’s the deal with that? 47:30 – How would you approach someone in your life who regularly uses the Lord’s name in vain? 51:43 – My students just say the most outrageous and nonsensical things. How can I cut this off without completely shutting down the classroom?

“Is there a scriptural basis for St. Joseph’s Assumption?” This question opens a discussion on the biblical foundations of St. Joseph’s bodily assumption into Heaven. Other topics include the differences between the Douay–Rheims versions, the appropriateness of praying for intercession from souls in purgatory, and the practice of clergy praying with covered heads during Mass. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 18:29 – What is the difference between the Douay–Rheims reims and the traditional Douay–Rheims? 21:45 – Is it okay to not just pray for the souls in purgatory, but to ask for their intercession? 29:07 – 1 Cor 11 says to not pray with your head covered. So how do we reconcile that with clergy praying with heads covered (mitres, cardinals hats, berettas, etc) during Mass? 32:49 – Should we offer Masses for the recently deceased leader of Iran and his party? 42:39 – How does one pray to saints? Also, The Bible records Jesus’ words of prayer in the agony in the garden, but how do we know what he said if nobody was there to witness and report it? 45:23 – How often can one make a general confession? 48:22 – Can you help me understand this controversy of interpreting the bible as saying we are either “declared” righteous or “made” righteous? 52:04 – I feel like God’s love and mercy has already washed my sins away even though I haven’t been to confession yet. What’s the deal with that?

“Is ecumenism compromising doctrine?” This question leads to a discussion on the goals of ecumenism and whether it involves compromising with Protestant beliefs. Other topics include the Church’s relationship with modern culture, the historical and biblical basis for apostolic authority, and the theological implications of God’s actions in the stories of David and Bathsheba. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:41 – What is the goal of Ecumenism? Is it us compromising on doctrine with Protestants? 11:00 – Do you think the Church should change with modern culture or stand apart from it? 17:40 – How can we demonstrate historically and biblically that the apostles passed on their authority to bishops? 29:04 – Why did God create man alone when he knew he would create woman after? 40:53 – Why did God take out his anger on David and Bathsheba’s first baby? 49:15 – Why does freemasonry have an appeal that Catholicism doesn’t have, and why is Catholicism better?

“How can couples avoid bitterness?” Respect and patience are essential in nurturing relationships. In this episode, Rose Sweet shares her personal journey and offers insights on seeking understanding, addressing disrespect, and maintaining perspective. She also discusses coping strategies through art and the challenges of navigating annulment processes within marriage. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 29:01 – Through my marital difficulties I coped with it through doing art. 33:03 – After going through all of that, how did you pick up the pieces and move on after your husband passed? 35:21 – I’m civilly married to my wife. We’re both Catholic. She and her first husband have tried to go through the annulment process but one of the witnesses died. Another time another witness would not cooperate. We’d like to try again but a little reluctant given the previous difficulties. Do you have any advice? We do not receive Communion because my wife’s first marriage is not annulled. 43:24 – I can relate to your story and had a similar experience. I had to learn to detach with love when he went from alcohol to crack. 48:02 – I’m having a problem with patience with my spouse. I’m married to a schismatic. I don’t think I’d call myself bitter, but I’m getting tired of it. I’m a former schismatic myself. 50:49 – To get through our difficulties I increased my adoration time.

“Can the Pope become an antipope?” This question opens a discussion on the complexities of papal authority and the implications of heretical statements. Additionally, the episode addresses why Pope Leo can’t grant permission regarding a new bishop, the historical context of how bishops became popes, and the origins of conclaves. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:58 – Why can’t Pope Leo grant permission about the new Bishop? 17:07 – I have heard that if the Pope made a heretical statement, he would become an anti-pope. Is this true and could it happen? 21:35 – Do you have an opinion on Pope Leo visiting the US? 29:30 – How did the Bishops of Peter’s time become Pope? Give him the Peter and the Eucharist books 40:50 – How did conclaves come to be? 45:06 – When do you think the Didache was likely written? Any one of Joe’s books… 49:47 – What is the difference between the Papacy and the Orthodox Patriarch? 51:53 – When do we know the Pope is speaking Ex Cathedra and how many times has he? 54:00 – What is the tradition behind the headgear of pope and cardinals?

“How can I help a Protestant friend?” This question opens a discussion on addressing concerns about the papacy and its history, including the boundaries on questioning the Pope’s comments and the implications of Jesus’ statement about the gates of Hades. Other topics include the workings of assent with the Magisterium and the nature of infallible teachings. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 12:45 – Where are the boundaries on questioning the comments of the Pope? 22:26 – What does Jesus mean when he says “the gate of Hades” won’t prevail. Can these be lies? 33:22 – How can I help a Protestant friend whose greatest hurdle is papacy history and scandals? 40:42 – How does assent work with the Magisterium? 49:16 – Is there a list of the Infallible teachings?

“What are the limits of Church authority?” This question opens a discussion on the role and boundaries of ecclesiastical power, while also addressing related topics such as the authority of the Bible versus Church tradition and the implications of using AI in homilies. Other questions touch on the origins of purgatory and the complexities of religious freedom in a diverse society. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:59 – What would be a good response to a Protestant asking why the Bible isn’t the final authority? 12:27 – Pope Leo said priests should not use AI to prepare homilies. Would the pope have authority to limit or govern the Church’s use of AI in the future? 19:17 – A Protestant might say that when the early church first started calling itself Catholic, that was really a “small c” kind of Catholic. It wasn’t really the Church united under a bishop of Rome. How do we respond to that? 23:25 – Where do we get the idea of purgatory? 30:36 – I am autistic. Are we able to use AI to study the scriptures? 36:39 – Why do we believe in religious freedom? It seems like that gives other religions a kind of tactical advantage? Why not just have the government say that everyone should be Christian? 42:01 – A priest told me questioning the authority of the Church is blasphemy. Is that really true? If that’s the case then how would you guys be able to have this discussion right now without blaspheming? 47:51 – Can you explain what’s going on with the SSPX right now? If the pope is the authority I don’t see why these bishops are disobeying him.

“What did daily life look like for the Holy Family?” This question opens a discussion about the domestic life of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, touching on their cultural practices, including cleanliness in Jewish tradition. Other topics include the identity of the “brothers of Jesus,” and insights into St. Joseph’s life and burial. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 02:00 – What Did Daily Life Look Like for the Holy Family? 22:50 – Were the “brothers of Jesus” children from Joseph but not Mary? 29:37 – I think I might disagree with you statement that the Holy Family would have been dirty. That Jewish culture was very concerned with being clean. 33:20 – How does the Bible describe St. Joseph? 37:33 – Where is St. Joseph buried? 41:49 – Was Joseph old or young when He married Mary? 47:43 – What is the earliest attestation of the assumption of St. Joseph ?

“How can we cooperate with the grace of Lent to work on healing our relationships?” This question opens a discussion on the importance of reconciliation during this sacred season. Additional topics include navigating family dynamics with a 22-year-old son who struggles with respect and addressing the challenges of processing grief amid loss. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 01:30 – How can we cooperate with the grace of Lent to work on healing our relationships? 18:15 – My 22-yr old son lives with us but does not respect the family dynamic? 30:33 – I’ve asked my 22-yr old son who is dealing with alcohol issues to leave our home and he refuses to? 43:21 – How can I process grief; I’m in a season experiencing a lot of death of friends?

“Why Aren’t You Catholic?” addresses the question of infallible authority in the Church, particularly in light of claims from some Christians. The discussion also touches on whether confession is necessary if baptism forgives sins, the marital status of Peter, and the implications of Mary’s immaculate conception. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 03:48 – “Some Christians say they’re not Catholic because they don’t see any evidence for any sort of infallible authority continuing after the apostles.” 13:10 – In the Nicene Creed when we pray “One Baptism for the forgiveness of sins…” does this mean we do not need confession? 23:34 – Was Peter married? 32:48 – If Mary was immaculately conceived, why did she have to die? 41:32 – The Church does not seem divinely inspired, so how can it claim to teach infallibility? 48:09 – Will sins confessed an absolved by a priest be read in our final judgement?