Catholic Questions Answered

Catholics are often asked questions that are difficult to answer. Even if you have been a practicing Catholic for your entire life, it is difficult to know what to say when asked about a particular aspect of the Catholic faith and how it relates to the Bible.

The following ten questions are the ones most often asked of Catholics. Being aware of the answer to these questions will help you be more informed and confident about your knowledge of the Catholic faith.

Ten Catholic Questions:

#1 Will God Save You?

Catholics are assured salvation as much as anyone else as long as they follow God's commandments. Living a Catholic life means loving God, your neighbor, and working to live without sin. As stated in the Bible: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments" (1 Jn 5:3) and also "He who loves God should love his brother also" (1 Jn 3:8).

#2 Would You Go to Heaven if You Died Today?

Similar to the first question, if a Catholic lives God's commandments and keeps the faith, salvation will be yours. In order to enter Heaven, a person must be perfectly holy. Catholics believe that Purgatory is the place of purification where penance is done for any sin that has been committed. Purgatory makes the soul clean for entrance into heaven. The Bible says that "nothing unclean shall enter it" (Rev 21:27)

#3 What Is the Point of Worshiping Unleavened Bread?

Catholics believe that unleavened bread, consecrated by a priest during the Catholic Mass is transformed into the true body of Jesus Christ. It is no longer a piece of bread, so Catholics revere the host. In John's Gospel, Jesus says, "he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life (Jn 6:51-56).

#4 Why Worship Mary, the Mother of Jesus

This is a misconception by many people. Catholics do not worship Mary, but revere her because she gave birth to Jesus. Veneration is not the same as worship. Veneration of Mary is to honor her because she is above other humans by the mere fact that she is God's mother.

#5 Why Would You Want to Confess Your Sins to a Priest?

Jesus gave his disciples the power to hear the sins of Christ's followers and forgive them. So too, priests, who are also disciples of God are given the same power. Jesus said, "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." (Jn 20:23). The Catholic priest offers Catholics God's forgiveness and mercy, giving the person who confesses a new beginning, confident in a pure spirit.

#6 Why Do Catholics Pray to Statues?

First and foremost, Catholics do not worship statues. Praying to Saints is more about asking them for the help to do better in the Catholic faith. Saints lived holy lives and are proven to have performed holy acts and miracles while alive. Catholics merely ask the Saints to be an intermediary with God. The statues only remind Catholics of the holiness of the saints and are a remembrance of them.

#7 Why Pray for Dead People?

Catholics pray for their lost loved ones in the hope that their prayers will help atone for any sins the dead person may have committed. In this way, the person who died may find salvation through the prayers of the Catholics left behind. "And they turned to prayer, beseeching that the sin which had been committed might be wholly blotted out..." 2 Maccabees (12:40, 42, 44-45).

#8 Why Is Your Priest Called, "Father"?

Priests are referred to as "Father" because they represent God, who is our heavenly Father. It is a title of respect for the man who offers Catholics the Grace of God on earth. As St. Paul states, when he became a disciple of Jesus, "I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor 4:15).

#9 Why Do You Do What the Pope Says?

Catholics believe that Jesus gave St. Peter the responsibility as leader of the Church. The Pope is elected as leader of the Catholic Church, so Catholic's follow his word. Jesus said, "And I tell you, you are Peter (meaning Rock) and upon this rock I will build my church..." (Mt 16:18-19). Catholics believe that the Pope can make decisions that are infallible under certain circumstances that deal with Catholic doctrine.

#10 Does the Catholic Faith Have Root in the Bible?

All beliefs held by Catholics are in the Bible in one form or another. Scripture is interpreted both literally and in indirect ways, but the Scripture does mention a Church authority and tradition. "Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess 2:15).

Hopefully, these answers will help you answer the questions about your Catholic faith and give you some concrete information about Catholic beliefs.

Sources:
Questions Catholics Are Asked, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 2006.