Frequently Asked Questions

Seeking the Truth? Start Here

This FAQ examines the major questions about God, Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church, Vatican II and the present crisis in the Church.

It begins with the foundations — whether God exists, whether Christianity is true and what Church Christ established — before examining Catholic doctrine, the Mass and Sacraments, the papacy, Vatican II, the post-conciliar changes and the arguments surrounding sedevacantism.

The answers draw principally upon Sacred Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, Ecumenical Councils, traditional papal teaching, Catholic catechisms, Canon Law and approved theologians and canonists.

You do not need to start at the beginning. Choose the subject that brought you here.

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Where Should I Start?

New to Christianity?
Start with Part 0 — God, Man, Jesus Christ and Salvation

Christian but not Catholic?
Start with Part 1 — Which Church Did Christ Establish?

Want to understand traditional Catholic belief and worship?
Start with Parts 1–3

Confused about Vatican II and what changed?
Start with Part 4 — The Road to Vatican II

Investigating the present crisis or sedevacantism?
Start with Parts 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8

Already convinced there is a serious crisis and wondering what to do?
Start with Part 10 — What Should a Catholic Do Now?

Explore the FAQ

Part 0 — God, Man, Jesus Christ and Salvation

God, creation, the human soul, suffering, Jesus Christ, the Resurrection, Redemption and salvation.

Part 1 — Which Church Did Christ Establish?

The Catholic Church, the Four Marks, Scripture and Tradition, the Magisterium, doctrine, Church membership and salvation.

Part 2 — The Mass, Sacraments and Catholic Worship

The Mass, Eucharist, Confession, Mary, the saints, sacramentals, Purgatory and justification.

Part 3 — The Papacy, Heresy, Apostasy and Schism

The papacy, infallibility, heresy, Church membership and the relationship between heresy and ecclesiastical office.

Part 4 — The Road to Vatican II

Pre-Vatican II Catholicism, Modernism, Nouvelle Théologie, liturgical and ecumenical movements, and the people and ideas that shaped the Council.

Part 5 — What Did Vatican II Actually Teach?

The Church, religious liberty, ecumenism, other religions, collegiality, apostolic succession, Social Kingship and the question of continuity with previous Catholic teaching.

Part 6 — The Post-Conciliar Revolution

Changes to the Mass, Sacraments, Holy Orders, Canon Law, Catholic worship, religious life, belief and practice.

Part 7 — The Post-Vatican II Papal Claimants and the Crisis of Authority

The post-conciliar papal claimants and the theological problem of authority, heresy and the papal office.

Part 8 — Sedevacantism and the Traditionalist Responses

Sedevacantism, SSPX, Recognize-and-Resist, FSSP, traditional bishops, jurisdiction, una cum and the major objections to the sedevacantist position.

Part 9 — Prophecy, Apostasy and Anti-Catholic Objections

The Great Apostasy, Antichrist, prophecy, Fatima and common historical objections to Catholicism.

Part 10 — What Should a Catholic Do Now?

Practical guidance concerning Mass, Sacraments, traditional clergy, family life, spiritual life and remaining Catholic during the present crisis.

How We Approach These Questions

Throughout the FAQ, we distinguish between Catholic doctrine, theological opinion, historical fact and speculation.

Primary sources are provided wherever possible so that you can examine the evidence for yourself.

The purpose of the FAQ is ultimately very simple:

To discover what Christ taught, what His Church has always taught, and what that means for us today.

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