43 Q & A – Three Reasons Why to Be Catholic

In today’s episode I answer a question of one of our listeners. Rian, a freshman in college, from Chicago asks me which three reasons he could argue in favor of the Catholic Church being the true Church of Christ. In summary, the reasons are these: (1) the Church of Christ must be one, in the sense of not being “many”, and also one, in the sense that it must not be clearly divided in doctrinal sections or factions. (2) the Church of Christ today must be a continuation of the Church of Christ from Apostolic times. This is guaranteed by the Apostolic Succession, and the uninterrupted line of successors of St. Peter up until today. That is, there is an uninterrupted succession of Bishops of Rome (the Pope), until Pope Francis. (3) The Church of Christ today must have essentially the same teachings of the Church of Christ in Apostolic Times, and thus be the maintain and teach the same teachings from Christ. All these reasons point toward the Catholic Church, under the Successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis, as the true Church of Christ.

I add some useful recommendations for when you speak to non-Catholics with the hope of bringing them closer to Jesus Christ and His True Church.

Useful Biblical Quotes used in this episode:

Jesus establishing His Church on St. Peter, the Rock: Matthew 16:16-19

St. Paul speaking about One Faith, One Body, One Baptism - One church: Ephesians 4:4-6

Further LINKS to external articles on the same topic: https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/how-do-we-know-its-the-true-church

https://bismarckdiocese.com/news/how-do-i-know-that-the-catholic-church-is-the-one-true-church

http://people.ucalgary.ca/~bmaundy/Apologetics/Main/One_True_Church.html

- TWO clarifying VATICAN DOCUMENTS stating that the Catholic Church is the True Church of Christ:

(1) Dominus Jesus [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20000806_dominus-iesus_en.html]

(2) Responses to Questions [https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html]

- Fr. Patrick Wainwright is a priest of Miles Christi, a Catholic Religious Order.

- Miles Christi Religious Order website: https://www.mileschristi.org

- This Podcast’s Website: https://www.forcollegecatholics.org

- To learn about the Spiritual Exercises (silent weekend retreat) preached by the Priests of Miles Christi, visit: https://www.mileschristi.org/spiritual-exercises/

- Recorded at our Family Center in South Lyon, Michigan.

- Gear: Recorded with Shure Mv7 Dynamic Microphone.

- Intro music from pond5.com