Explain the Assumption, Death Penalty, and Orthodoxy – Why Aren’t You Catholic?

“Can you explain the Assumption?” This question opens a discussion on the Marian dogmas, addressing common struggles with understanding them. The episode also touches on discerning the differences between Orthodox and Catholic beliefs regarding Peter’s role, as well as the Catholic teaching on the death penalty and its evolution under Pope Francis.

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Questions Covered:

• 05:25 - I have been looking into the Catholic Faith for a while. I have struggled with the Marian dogmas, especially the Assumption.
• 17:34 - How do you discern whether or not the Orthodox or Catholics are correct, specifically whether or not Peter is first among equals or infallible?
• 29:55 - Why is it that Catholics say you can’t spread ashes, but when it comes to saints you divide up their body parts?
• 35:37 - Can you explain the Catholic teaching on the death penalty? Did it change with Pope Francis?
• 41:35 - I am sympathetic to Catholic traditions and have tried to go through OCIA. But my husband has decided that our family is not going to be Catholic. I want to be a respectful spouse.
• 50:58 - I’m trying to love my wife back into the faith. She was raised Catholic but stopped practicing. She goes to a Protestant church where the sermons are peppered with anti-Catholic remarks. I think this creates a major barrier for a lot of people to become Catholic.