Erick Ybarra: Why I Left Reason & Theology 

What a relief is to know that i was not crazy about Lofton. I was trying to be behind his message but oh my.... its unbearable. It feels like he will defend the pope in a way that could not be in tune with reality, and believe me, i love our pope in the sense that i recognize his ministry and want the best for him and desire everyday that he would protect the church, but im not going to pretend like something is not off in the Vatican and Lofton makes you feel like you are crazy for thinking about it or even considering it.

I bet within a day or two, Lofton posts a short saying you guys are “unfortunately bearing false witness.”

Lofton is painful and embarrassing to watch.

Great candid conversation gentleman. I appreciate the realistic assessment of our current situation while at the same time still remaining respectful.

Guys I respect all of you. I also have disagreements with Michael Lofton. But he does make some good points. We cannot pick and choose and go full blown anti pope when we disagree with him. Martin Luther did that. We either are Catholic or we are not. If we are Catholic we suffer the burden of bad popes. Please correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe that Pope Francis has made any infallible pronouncements that go against the faith. I think his Fiducia Supplicans was his usual bringing confusion to clarity In an attempt to show the German bishops that excesses beyond a certain point will not be tolerated. But Catholic priests have always given blessings to people in irregular situations. As a young promiscuous Jewish male in my early 20s I was given a blessing by a priest who knew my unrepentant lifestyle. That blessing led to me being accepted into the church three years later and living 45 years since as a faithful Catholic, A faithful Catholic doctor and working as a past president of Oregon Right to Life. Oh the power of blessings for the sinner. There was no need for a pronouncement on this policy. There was more need for a strong rebuke of same sex relationships. Be that as it may we are not marrying same sex people in the church. The same abuses going on that we had previously and we should work against those. But Lofton is reacting to renewed Seda Vecantism, and as we all know reactions to excessive behavior are oftentimes themselves excessive. I love the TLM. I am very critical of Francis for suppressing it. Yet the NO Mass can be done reverently and beautifully. I attend such a church where mass is offered at Orientem and we even have a communion rail. The music is Gregorian chant, polyphony and Latin is used for many prayers. The abuses are not the fault of the NO Mass. The council did not intend this. We need to work within our own parishes to make our own liturgy more holy. Let me be clear. I believe Pope Francis to be a terrible pope. Pope Francis is a weak man in a position that demands spiritual strength. However, he is still the pope and deserves our prayers and at times our defense. Michael has in a response to a comment that I made stated: “ I never said that Francis is a good pope." Michael knows this but in his mind by defending the pope he's defending the church. Let's take it down a notch. We faithful Catholics cannot bicker among ourselves and eat ourselves for dinner. We need to move forward together and work toward a more holy church. We need to take the log out of our own eye before we comment on the splinters in someone else's eye. Show yourselves for the faithful Catholics you are and offer forgiveness. Contact Michael and try to find some common ground. This is said with respect and love for all of you.

Ybarra is great.

What are wonderful feeling to know that I'm not alone. In the beginning R&T was fabulous but now I can't. I just can't.

I would rather have radical conformity to the pope than the constant criticism. It's not a good look for the one true church to be divided and bad mouthing the pope.

I think as Catholic's, we should be doing everything we can to protect and defend our Pope! If we don't agree with him, it should be done with all due respect of his office! I haven't followed this disagreement with Reason and Theology...though I really hope that you guys gorgive and salvage the friendship. That's more important than any podcast on RU-vid! I have considered this idea in our times, with so much internal disagreement between Catholics and our Pope and the real possibility of a schism. Jesus is completely aware of what is going on in His Church! He allows for these things for the sake of a more faithful Church. Jesus instituted the Chair of Peter, and as lay people, it is our duty to follow what the Pope and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church lays out for us. Not because we are blind sheep, but for the fact that the Pope and the Magisterium are infallible! With that being said, I trust that the Church has it right, whether I understand it or not. I also trust that the Church is being guided by the Holy Spirit... completely, and is never asleep at the wheel! I trust that these issues will work themselves out at the appropriate time. I believe that our faith is tested in these difficult times, and I know that there is nothing that Pope Francis or anyone else could say or do that would make me leave our Lord's Church! Open debate is good, and it's healthy, but loving our neighbor is manditory and required for our salvation! 🙏 Ps. When it comes to Michael Lofton. I believe that we are required to forgive or we won't be forgiven! 🙏

don't tell me I am not seeing what I am seeing - nailed it!

...living in rather interesting days... praying for all. Come Holy Ghost!

What's funny about Lofton's approach is if another pope comes along and undoes some of the things proposed by Francis, then Lofton will either have to delete his old videos or perform an insane gymnastic about how he can reconcile the two without compromising his view of the papacy

I worry that the Theological is being thrown out for the pastoral. Which makes us no different than Protestants.

As a former Anglican, the Welby incident was extremely scandalous to me.

Sadly when I watch Reason & Theology - all I see is arrogance.

I used to enjoy R&T, for a short time - until I began to come to the conclusion that Lofton was a sophist who revelled in slinging mud at people he was generally unfit to undo the sandle straps of, and owing to his "un- Reason-able" insistence on vainly attempting to persistently and obstinately defend the indefensible, usually via illogical arguments which he often appeared to smugly pronounce as if they summarised Truth eternal, when they clearly did NOT represent the truth.

Hello all, a naïve question here - Why does being a "popesplainer" connote negativity? Isn't it a catholic's position to defend the vicar of Christ (not a rhetorical question)? I’m not saying we can’t question or ask for clarifications on pronouncements. Would it be better if we can be more specific (prefacing the topics in proper context) in discussing the details (all facets) and the source(s) of the issues at hand, rather than generalizations? For example: The Fiducia Supplicans document (btw, I’m in no way a supporter of homosexual behavior), what I understand (please do correct me), is that the meat of the uproar is the perceived vagueness and its inability to somehow come up with an absolute statement of who or what the Church should include of exclude. Many opinions and views abound on how the Pope and its office should approach and address the issue at hand. Another query here, are the people outside the Vatican better equipped to come up with the resolutions? My thoughts now seques on how Jesus Christ would treat the issue or even these individuals/couples if he was here on earth now? Would it be with prejudice, exclusion and outright persecution/condemnation or with charity, mercy and even love? I think as a regular human being, it would be easiest to hand out judgement and be righteous (we take pride in having the correct position, understanding and interpretation over others) about it. On the other hand, being charitable, merciful or loving of someone who might present as despicable (especially on the outside) is truly difficult (more so, if we want to be true followers of Jesus Christ). It would require saint-like patience (maybe one might not now know the other individual’s struggles in their hearts) and utmost humility (accepting that sometimes our righteousness rules over us instead of Christ-like love and charity towards others). Conversations and discussions like these should not temper one from joining the Catholic Church, rather it should show our strong fervor to understand and follow the teaching of Jesus Christ thru its Magisterium. God Bless and may God continue to guide and protect the Catholic church and everyone in it.

The show was ruined when Craig Truglia was kicked off and it became advocacy. The discussions on Orthodoxy, after that point, were like CNN panels discussing conservatives. There was no real pushback. Lofton's ego, unchecked, went off the deep end. Lofton went full-fledged, anti-Orthodox. Reason and theology replaced with "owning the Orthobros." Now, the show is effectively his pulpit. He has included the "rad trads" into that group and thrives on controversy. No one takes it seriously except for those that are "on his team."

“Document is an evil lie” I can appreciate a little nuance or concern but straight up blatant calling a magisterial document evil, and they wonder he call them dissenters. Also judging intentions. Lay magisterium at work.

Took me about 1 minute to work out Michael Lofton.

Pope Francis could come out tomorrow and say he is dissolving Eastern Catholicism and Michael Lofton an Eastern Catholic would be on stream within an hour applauding the decision about how great it is and how he is going to join the Roman Rite for the sake of unity.

Im so glad that im not the only one who noticed this

Would Michael Lofton be open to debate Erick Ybarra if his boss Trent Horn hosting the public debate? Matt Fradd and Brian Holdsworth will be interested to participate as well because public debate can help fellow Catholics to understand what divide us and where to stand 🙏

How charitable and nuanced

I really like Lofton. Honestly I just immediately ignore anything that would speak against the heirarchy. my job is to get to heaven, not to criticize the Holy Father.

Can't help but think of everything Fr. Mawdsley told us. I've been thinking more about the Bible in a different way since I've been listening to him.

Never heard of Reason and Theology before. Sounds like a charitable and nuanced place to get theology...........

Lofton is a gaslighting narcissist. He will have a response to this video within the next 1-3 mins

I didn’t care much for Lofton. From the beginning, when I found him, he was aggressive and confrontational against anyone and everyone

Appreciate ya Erick. Have recommended your content/books to several ppl. I appreciate your honesty lack of triumphalism re: Catholicism... history is messy and too many apologists downplay this.

Thanks for shedding light on this. I know now I’m firmly in the Lofton camp - every one of Lofton’s videos comes with quotes and video clips with charitable responses that directly relate to the topic. Erick’s inane hypothetical example of what he thinks Lofton might say if this highly improbable thing with the pope might happen, blah, blah, blah…yeah I’ve heard all I need to hear to know who is honestly thinking through the issues and who is committed to a narrative. Sad to see

It was very helpful to get the historical evolution of R&T from Erick Ybarra. That provided the context and sheds light on how we all watched a YT personality fall from grace quite literally and succumb to the spiritual warfare that is occurring during the Pope Francis Pontificate. It takes a complicity and intentional spiritual blindness to defend the material heresy of Pope Francis and to cultivate the same spiritual blindness in others.

I'm so grateful for this video. I never felt right with Lofton's narrative. These last months with scandals and confusion, I did watch Lofton's perspectives to see if I was missing something but still felt off about it when other good practicing Catholics, from different nations and languages, were concerned about it. Thank you Erick Ybarra for sharing your experience with R&T

I love watching Reason and Theology. Still great!

Lofton comes across as narcissistic in my opinion, a control freak looking for self exaltation by taking any side that will make his self importance increase.

The Church is supposed to be a hospital for the spiritually sick some of us are in recovery and some of us are flat lining !!! GODS KINDNESS LEADS TO REPENTANCE ❤ WE ARE ALL SINNERS

I always feel like Lofton is just inches away from leaving the faith because he could never accept Francis doing anything wrong. That’s the only reason he has to defend anything he does, imo he’s a really poor and unguided soul.

@6:42 "He started to change his mind" Yes, we need to dig at who started to pay him.

I remember watching R&T once and they had a conversation with EO universalist David Bentley Hart, and he snoozed off during the conversation 😅

This video was just explaining the origins of R&T and Erick crying about Pope Francis. How embarrassing. What is the real reason for R&T disbanding?

Sorry, did I miss the part on why you actually left? This feels just like an attack on Michael Lofton’s position

Honestly guys, you're my Catholic brothers but Mr Lofton is in a far more justified position than you guys. Also, the "trad" view is possibly the fastest growing one among certain Catholics, like in the West, so i dont think Lofton' change of view (away from Trad) was an advantage to him (and Im not implying you said it was). None the less, the papacy is not an ordinary authority, as we know, since its founding and authority is divinely mandated and inspired. Therefore, we are all compelled, throughout every generation, to exhibit docility and obedience toward the indefectible papacy. There is no sin in that. "Traditionalism" however is pure Protestantism (to protest "novelties and accretions according to private interpretation"). I was a traditionalist with SSPX until Oct last year, and I never appreciated Mr Lofton until only about December last year. Even when i became Catholic in 2022 i was vehemently anti-Pope Francis, due to all the baggage (lies, misinformation, propaganda and pride) i was still carrying. So im not pointing fingers at you but im trying to offer a different view. Ironically, Pope St Pius X (the icon of many traditionalists) condemned those who think they can question papal authority. There are points in your video i wish i could address fully but the main one is about FS (Fiducia). A sinner cannot be denied blessings IF they exhibit the right intentions; which are a desire to live for God (which includes ceasing their grave sins, like irregular unions, addictions, etc.). Indeed, FS is close to the border of what is permissable, but thats not new. The Book of Blessings has permitted blessing addicts living with addiction. Only the addict (sinner) is blessed, not their sinful state (addiction), in order to free them from their addiction through God's grace. If we want this LGBTQ abominable movement to cease, then we must encourage blessings (with RIGHT intentions, as FS points out.). Love you guys. And congrats on the Mel Gibson appearance.

Honestly the best thing I gained from R&T was Erick Ybarra. Not trying to dis M.L. because I gained some understanding from him too. But he's very gushy now and I dont know what happened.

Brother, Im a cradle Catholic mother from other side of the globe and I’m probably older than your mother. At least be respectful young man. Whether you like it or not, it’s POPE Francis.

Lofton's affect is sleazy. I get "grifter" vibes from him.

A third of a way in and still no substantial critique. Erick you invited me in your show and then backed out when I responded. The example with the female Anglican bishop has nothing to do with the papal magisterium which is what Lofton defends.

I stumbled across Lofton's channel a few months ago. I almost immediately found him unbearably arrogant and condescending. The hyperpapalism, the gaslighting, the narcissism... it's just gross.

I don’t understand the purpose of pope-bashing (for Catholics). What will you achieve?

This channel is great, thanks so much for doing what you are doing, and stay holy. Don't fall into the temptation of making fun of people like other Catholic RU-vidrs, some of these people sin for the sake of popularity, or just to be funny. Really focus on holiness as our Lord wants from all of us.

I dont watch R&T as much anymore. i first discovered Michael when RT had about 11k. Im happy that he found his way home and his page has been successful and helps many confused Christians. I do disagree with him on some things I do see and feel like he has been so adamant in defending the Magisterium and the Papacy so much and hard that he cant turn back without feeling he feels like a hypocrite or something similar. Almost any criticism of this papacy is uncharitable and out of line and makes you a dissenter, which is vehemently false. I love my Church and I love Pope Francis, but to keep doubling down and sweeping some very problematic pastoral decisions and some conduct from Rome as if nothing wrong is going on under the rug and all is well is delusional.

While I'm Orthodox, I respect Eric for his honesty. Lofton is a popesplainer. If Rome falls, God help the West.

This video was terrific! I wondered what happened to Reason and Theology. I thought he was so defensive because all the online hate, like all RU-vidrs have to deal with once they start getting big.

Would it not have been better to keep/discuss this among yourselves as catholic brothers in Christ, rather than post publically?

Francis' actions are definitely giving the impression of doctrinal change. My wife, who is not a believer, sincerely thought that Fiducia Supplicans changed the Catholic position on gay marriage. That's just what she got from the news.

24:24 Ybarra is right. Just apply “Acta non Verba.”

The point about watering down is exactly right. It's a version of moving away from a "principled" approach to a hard "rules" based approach, where you can argue to the nth degree about why what you are doing is "technically" right, even though it's obviously problematic. The "sniff test" matters. And what is so interesting, is that the liberal Catholics are the ones saying the Trads are the ones that are too focused on rules.

I still enjoy R&T.

I’m disappointed that these theologians, and this community seeks ways to undermine the papacy of Francis instead of supporting it. One can be critical of the pastoral approach of pope Francis, without proposing, heretical positions or pseudo heretical positions about the pope. We need a more charitable approach towards the Holy Father. The pope is the source of unity for Catholics worldwide like how our bishop is for the local diocese. Can you imagine how excessive criticism of the local ordinary would paralyze the mission of the diocese? That’s what I think is often done to the efforts of pope. I am not saying that Pope Francis has never made a mistake. What I am saying is that we should avoid looking for mistakes of our pope at every turn or ways in which he fails our expectations of what a pope is supposed to do.

I used to watch this back when Eric Craig Tim and William were on. It was a decent show. Really too bad it became what it has

I've come to believe that Michael Lofton is as scandalized by Francis as many others are and just doubles down on blaming trads (and other Catholics in general) for the church's problems because of his insecurity.

Ecumenism is about bringing back Eastern Orthodox specifically and those with apostolic succession, generally.

I'm Orthodox and I like Ybarra. I used to enjoy Reason and Theology but at this point Lofton has become completely insufferable and the show is totally unwatchable. Now he wanders around as the self apointed charity police.

Only reason there is so much hate towards Michael Lofton is because he’s not letting mad trads get away with dissent and since they can’t really refute him so name calling is what it is. If we’re being real.

So you're upset with Pope Francis, the see of St. Peter, for Not giving communion to a Lutheran? You guys need to pray to get Satan off your shoulder.

Anyone have a link where this channel has made a video saying anything positive about this Papacy and the Magisterium?

Anthony either didn’t read the document or he is intentionally being misleading. No the document doesn’t say priests can do it however they like. Come on dude, do better.

Can someone give me a link or references to where Pope Francis receives communion from an Anglican Priest ?

As an strict Orthodox i agree with you guys.

I'm glad other people have the same problem that i have with Lofton

Francis is my least favorite pope in my 55 yrs. He’s very liberal and isn’t a friendly man. I think it’s an act. I just hope the next one isn’t even more liberal. His hatred of the TLM is almost an obsession. He’s not a good Pope.

Very interesting and most telling that Lofton jumped ship from "Rad Trad" to Orthodoxy. This shows a fundamental flaw in his intellectual formation. He was never truly "Rad Trad" if he left Catholicism for heresy/schism (Orthodox). Now, he spends a good deal of energy attacking the very thing he never understood to begin with...

Lofton might be doing some mental gymnastics with the pope. But I think he reacted better and more faithfully with Fiducia Supplicans than with what most Catholics were doing. You can’t deny that the way the trads responded was embarrassing and scandalous.

Lofton has a Pope Francis explanation niche online and he won’t let it go.

Michael is a lonely voice against RadTrads propaganda and doing very well Micheal L is much in line with you guys now and you should come together for Good. .

Because Erick Ybarra is a decent human being.

Thank you very much guys, i agree with everything you said. Rob made me laugh so hard when he said, you get the calories from eating the bread, rofl. And also Anthony was right, because pope Francis and many modern Masonic bishops teach conversation nowadays instead of conversion. About Michael Lofton, i lost all respect for him for over a year now, He is behaving ( and i even told him this ) as if he is the only person in existence who understand pope Francis and what he truly meant, and whosoever disagree`s with him and pope Francis is not a true Catholic...GBU

This conversation was shorter than it should have been. You gotta get Eric back on stat.

Think its pretty obvious. Eric, from the videos I have watched, seem to be very thorough, studious, coutlrteous, and honest. You are repe tful of the pope but also call a "spade a spade." Some people have adopted the modern heresy/error of papal maximalism. I think the East, especially Eastern Catholicism, is a valuble check right now on the modern papal heresy. The pope is an important part of the Church but not the center. Big cog in yhe machine but not the only one. Bishops in the west are nothing more than company men that acquiesce to whatever Rome dictates. They are no longer successors of the Apostles but mere extensions of the papal chair. I think, despite Vatican I declaration of the dogma, has introduced more harm than it sought to solve. Nevertheless, I dont see you as being a popesplainer type. Pope Francis is in error on many things and is doing great harm to the Body of Christ for ideological reasons. Lofton is willing yo square circles and circle squares. That I cant see you doing. You are too honest

The way you presented the African bishops was misleading. It was an inability to avoid scandal in their context, not uphold Church teaching like you said, that lead them to decide they cannot implement it. Just like FS stated. And I’ve got to say that’s disappointing Erick because I disagree with you a fair amount but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you be misleading, but I don’t think it’s intentional.

I know we are supposed to be Charitable in all things, but I cant stomach listening to Lofton for even a minute.

Lofton is right though. The trads are causing lots of scandals etc. As a life long Catholic i realized this long before lofton came around.

You definitely don’t understand the document

Michael Lofton might defend the pope but he cannot defend is absolutiy terrible prose.

Well that was a simple answer as to why he left R&T. I wanted to publicly critisize the Pope and push my opinions on people. Michael Loften wasnt down for that .

Erick. Your story parallels mine. I also noticed the change in Lofton’s thinking and gloomed into the popesplainer camp. It was time to go.

I listened with an open mind because I've heard Erick speak before and he seemed pretty knowledgeable but I still find much of the rhetoric against Pope Francis lacking and extremely uncharitable if not down right lies and frankly Lofton is correct when he criticizes Catholics for their attitude towards the Pope I remember reading the Pope's Dubia.myself, and watched in real time as people twisted and misused the Pope's words.

“Why don’t ya explain to the folks at home who Justin Welby is.” - Norm Macdonald

While I do see this Pope as problematic, I think people really exaggerate it. He has not changed teaching.

So you are upset that R&T is not against the Seat of Peter? Are you claiming the Holy Spirit is not guiding the Church? Are you sure you are not the modern version of Korah? I find it amazing that Catholics faith in Christ is only as good as their approval of a Pope. Is it not pride that the sheep claim to be superior to the Sheppard.

There are some calories the fake Anglican Eucharist ... that is a very valid point. 😅😂👍😅

Great conversation

Anthony: “I think the biggest problem with Fiducia [Supplicans] is not even the language in Fiducia [Supplicans]. It’s the gesture itself that lends this appearance that the Church is changing its doctrine and that the Church will eventually come around to accepting same-sex marriage. It’s giving this appearance as if the Church will change: ‘Look, guys, the church moves in centuries. Give us some time. We’re moving in that direction for you.’ And people are very hopeful. And it’s an evil lie. That document is an evil lie. Because you’re giving these people the impression that God is okay with sodomy … just not yet. ‘Just give us some time. We’ll get there’” (20:16). Brother, this is an egregious misreading. Fiducia Supplicans rejects unequivocally the idea that “God is okay with sodomy.” Which number of the document “gives you this impression” or “gestures in that direction”? If you can’t ground your reading in the text, it’s eisegesis, not exegesis.

Mike Lofton should be on the Vatican payroll, if he isn't already😉🤞

19:08 "And every one that heareth these my words and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof." (Matthew 7:26-27)

Lofton is not charitable with the other side when they disagree with his point of view. Simultaneously in my view there’s a lot who are against Lofton’s view who are not charitable either

Homosexuality is not a sin. It is a disordered inclination. A temptation. And we all can sympathize to a degree since we suffer from concupiscence. Homosexual unions however are sinful. As for the pope's pastoral approach, I am more skeptical of your conspiracy theories than the pope's intentions. I do find the language lacking, but I'd rather listen to Lofton than conspiracy theories.

I am a witness to Pope Francis and Catholic Church bearing the Heart of Jesus

I'm one of your listeners who go to the Novus Ordo Mass, not because I want to, but because it's impossible for my family to travel the distance required every weekend to the TLM due to finances and my health. I don't like going to the Tridentine Mass' ugly sister. I would also have to drive and hour away for a Priest who won't throw a fit when I try to kneel for Communion.

This is sad Erick Ybarra. NO LLORES. Go do your videos on your RU-vid. I have respect for you but man you, whining bro.

This was not a good episode.. made the hosts appear petty and uncharitable. Comes off devicive and subjective...like a batch of women gathering to gossip. Totally offputing. Men can do better in gathering Catholics to pray for the shortcomings of others.