Responding to Lapsed Catholics 

Dear Fr Casy-- I'm a practicing Catholic. All the arguments that the lapsed Catholics have I feel. I understand what they are saying. I still practice, to the best of my ability, and lead our children in The Church with my husband. For me, where the rubber hits the road, is where I sit with God in my Sacramental Life. I have my issues with The Church, God knows this, so I go, over and over and over again, in faith, in my humble brokenness and lack of understanding to the Eucharist with the hope (expectation?) that God will sort it out on his end. Thank you for all you do. With every Rosary I pray I offer you and your brothers to the Blessed Mother to keep you.

True story: When I was 13, I stopped believing in God because I had a difficult childhood, but I told God that if He truly exists, to make me believe in Him again. In my late 20s, I had several experiences of the presence of God. One of these experiences was when I was cleaning my bedroom, and I felt God looking down on me like a father would look at his infant child in a cradle - just a look of pure love. I'm a philosophy major, so I honestly thought God would give me arguments for His existence, but instead He chose to show me that I was loved. I then started watching Catholic RU-vid videos and slowly grew in faith. I had forgotten what I had said to God, but when I remembered, I was just 😮. To this day, it amazes me that even while I was rejecting God, He still gave me His grace to say that little prayer. I remember thinking, "Somebody must have been praying for me." Please don't stop praying for the lapsed Catholics! There is always hope until the very end of their lives.

I was away for 27 years from 1991 to 2018. I had two strokes and I got a visit from Jesus one night. He told me to "Get back to Mass". I did that, started attending Mass again in Ironton, Ohio, went to Reconciliation. In 2022 my Pastor asked me to serve Mass again (I had been a server from 1987 to 1991).

Hey mate, i am an aithiest but i really like watching your videos and getting your opinion on these important matter. i wish you nothing but good health

Aa A retired evangelical minister, I would like to reply to this excellent video: 1) As I am sure everyone knows, lapsed Catholics come to, and sometimes through, our churches. The one thing that every single one I encountered had in common is that they had never made their faith personal - or in our language, they were "churched" but never established a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To be clear, I have met MANY Catholics who have such a relationship with Jesus, and I Jesus is certainly proclaimed in the Catholic Church, but those whom I met either resisted the Gospel, or never understood it. The more Catholics who have this kind of relationship with the Lord, the fewer will become lapsed. 2) Suffering: Your comments are completely valid. I say this as someone who has been in severe and chronic pain since 1985. If the Lord offered to take all my pain away, but required me to give up all that I have been taught through the experience, I would say, "No thank You Lord, I am too grateful for all the gifts you have given my through the pain". 3) Women in ministry: While I disagree with the position of the Catholic Church (my daughter is ordained), to be fair, the Catholic Church has more women doing ministry than many evangelical churches that ordain women. There is so much more to ministry than the sacraments or ordination. 4) Celibacy: While some are clearly called to this life, IMHO there are at least two problems with requiring it. a) It gives the impression that a married couple, remaining faithful to year other, are somehow less holy than a celibate person. I have to wonder just how much of this tradition is rooted in gnosticism.... b) I do not know how I could possibly do ministry without my wife at my side. From the beginning, long before I became a pastor, we worked side by side in ministry - even before we were married. She was with me all three times I was oral boarded, and had she presented any red flags, I would not have been ordained. I cannot begin to count the number of times that her insights were invaluable - or the number of times she prevented me from doing something stupid. Every time I counseled a woman, she was by my side. I could go on and on, but you get the point.... 5) LBGTQ people: Our church takes EXACTLY the position you outlined. 6) Evangelism: I could have said the same thing. I would only add that it is the Holy Spirit who leads and works in evangelism. Every once in a while, we get to play a small part. 😉😉 7) The sexual abuse that happened in the Catholic Church, as well as some things in our churches, is affecting us too. You're right, we all need to do better.... 8) Calling Catholics to come back from evangelical churches. I loved what you said. I think it would be wonderful to see the best of evangelical churches take root in Catholic churches... most of all, I think this would please our Lord. 9) Closed Communion: I respect the Catholic position, and have never gone forward during Mass. That said, Wesleyan Churches tend to follow Wesley's practice of urging SINCERE seekers to receive communion. I Christ is indeed present in Holy Communion, then a person can indeed come to faith in Him through such an encounter. Indeed, I have seen this very thing happen. Thanks for yet another great video. I would love to meet you sometime!

I'm not a Catholic, but agree with your responses. I will usually defend Catholicism considering most arguments against it are ignorant and misinformed.

I would like to see a "What a Friar Packs in his luggage" video. How many changes of habits do you bring?

Thank you so much Fr. Casey. I’m a revert too and I now love the Church, prayer and reading the bible. It's been so meaningful for me now when as a child (in an 100% catholic country - the West coast of Ireland in the '70s). And back then they did tell us who to vote for and I hated the harsh judgements. I felt very little love in the Church back then. People online complain about pope Francis but his love, his true Christlike behaviour inspires me. Thank you for everything I had a miracle in my life that keeps me on the straight and narrow. It's a long story but it was a miracle and I didn’t deserve it at all. Christ is just a breath away from any of us. Seek and you shall find. That much I know for sure

The most egregious part of this video to me is not taking the opportunity for a nap after being awake 29 hours.

I’m back now because I found a church that has well educated and intellectual priests. The reason I left years ago was because I came across many parish priests that gave awful, uneducated, and insulting homilies that were not truly in the spirit of the Word, but rather personal expressions of their misinformed opinions on the world.

Great to see you travelling to Italy with Habit. I bet it will generate public curiosity and atleast 3 end up in seminary

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen warned that for the next 100 years the biggest temptation for the church is to become political, we must resist the temptation. Hundred years have not passed.

I was visited by Mother Mary on three separate occasions, and felt a strong pull towards the Bible 2 years ago. I knew I was being called back into my faith but I struggled so much accepting the fact. I see my brothers and sisters in faith consumed with this rage against the LGBT+ community, against other branches, against other ways of living and political stances and it hurts me. I do not feel it is my place to judge other people no matter what the Bible says, and I do not feel comfortable letting that hate dictate whether my faith is worthy or not. This is the reason I don't participate with my local Church and I don't engage with other Catholics unless they are open to treating others with respect, kindness and dignity. I pray as much as I can for guidance and have called myself into chastity. Please, pray for me.

As a cradle catholic who lapsed for 6 years to be Protestant and finally found my way home this year, I really appreciate this video!! I wish I had seen this when I first started to lapse.

Dear Casey, I insist, thank you for these vídeos. I"m a believer and teacher of Philosphy and Theology. I really find your approach inspiriational and very entertaining but at the same time, profound and useful. May Our Blessed Mother bless you and the Holy Spirit keep you in this minestery!!!

I hope the hierarchy in Rome get a lot of feedback from you Fr. Casey when in Rome. You are a true light in the Catholic church.

Father Casey, your comment that to be gay isn’t a sin, but acting on it is made me happy to hear. I’ve believed this for some time and tried to tell that to others. Thank you for saying that.

The church fails to recognize that women have been abused and mistreated too. There are some real narcissistic priests out there. We also have some outstanding priests who really want to do what they are called to do. But, I have a real trust issue with all priests. I’ve been away from the church for a while and trying to find my way back. I watch mass on line for now.

On the "non-denom" question, I used to go to one as well, and they make great socializing places. But the mass isn't simply for making friends, it's for adoration. And I feel a lot of lukewarm people fall into that trap

Praying for you, your mission, and the other Franciscan Friars! Praying for the world! Safe travels and prayers!

I'm a lapsed Catholic. I never got confirmed with my CCD class because I graduated high school early to join the military. I got married in service to a divorced lutheran through the courthouse. No one ever told me he would need an annulment. I have more respect for the Catholic marriage preparation. He won’t go through the process. 😭 I’ve been trying to get confirmed since 2007 where I started then I was preparing for deployment. I feel lost.

The most amazing thing of the video (beyond the content, which is great) is the fact that you did it all using your free time in the airport!! 😁👌

Thank you for being such a great follower of Christ! All my love to you and your ministry. 🩷🩷🩷

You are a very special soul, Fr. Casey. Many of us are thankful that you answered the call to your vocation. ✝

This is far one of your best dear Fr.Casey. u touched on many aspects of what most priests will say. Keeping you in my prayers. Dominic 🇸🇬

So, so good. Love the Q&As you’ve been doing but the editing, varied locations, scenes along the way and the pace, was just wonderful. And why was that airport so empty!!?

As a lapsed Catholic, I gave up on the church in 2016, watching all of the hateful rhetoric being spoken by members of my church. Calling to eliminate immigrants and LGBT, telling me if I don't vote Republican I'm not a good Catholic. I couldn't do it. Im so happy to see there are good members of the church like you Fr Casy. Your channel at least gives me hope lol

I couldn't imagine running into you recording in the airport!... LOTS OF love and prayers! have fun!

My goodness Fr Casey! Traveling is stressful enough as it is. Shooting a video at the same time is superhuman stuff! God bless you for all this work and He continue to strengthen you to create more content like this! Finally, my cheeks hurt from smiling throughout the whole video! I just realized that seeing priests and members of Holy Orders in the "wild" (regular everyday places like the airport) brings me lots of joy! 😂😂😂

Fr Casey, I wanted to pass on a little wisdom I picked up at 43 yrs. A lot of those remote garage door keypads don’t need the pin entered to CLOSE the door. You just have to press the enter button and the door closes! No kidding. I found that out by accident last year.

Father Casy, Thank you for providing spiritual guidance and re-assurance for all. Due to your work here, I found answers to questions to which my local community couldn't give me real and confident answers and thus you have re-assured me as catholic christian. Thank you and God bless you! 🙏🏻

Thank you, Father, for answering my question. I'm still digesting your answer and look forward to seeing more of your trip in Italy.

Hi Fr. Casey! I am an italian follower of your videos, very interesting and helpful. I'm happy you are here in Italy for some time. Just a short word on the "non-denom" question. For some time, in my long faith crisis, I went to the evangelical service of the Waldesian church (the only historical protestant church here in Italy, founded in the Piemonte valleys around the same time of St.Francis life - well before Martin Luther). After some years, attending also to some of their monthly Holy Supper, I returned to the catholic Mass. Only here I feel I really found Jesus, in the Eucharist.

The Church Christ left us is Holy, i dont let any human ruin this for me. Saints were martyred for the Church. Amen.

Not a religious man myself. But i enjoy your content, i enjoy your willingness to hear and listen to those who doesn't like the curch or even has some critique. Have fun in Rome. Maybe have a talk on camera with other friars and let them awnser these questions, could be interesting or even very profound. Next time, bring patrick with you, i would love to see his enthusiasm if he is in Rome or in the Vatican. Greetz from Zwolle in the Netherlands \o/

I went to a non-denominational church once with a relative. The best word I could use to describe how I felt about it is "incomplete." I was less knowledgeable of the significant differences between Catholicism and protestantism at the time and was shocked when it was over and no communion had been offered.

Father, I believe strong Catholics realize that most people fall short of Gods teaching. However, we must continue striving to follow Christ. We must finish the race. When a brother or sister is down, we are to stand beside them and lift them up. This includes our priests, layman’s, and deacons,etc. My son was wounded (not by Catholics) but someone in another denomination. Unfortunately, he left the church, but I continue to encourage him to try the Catholics out. He will be educating his daughter (my grand daughter) in a Catholic School. This is step one. A buddy of his told him how well his daughter was doing in a local Catholic school. I am excited because I attended Catholic. Schools.

Thank you for taking time and responding to comments here on RU-vid, it makes you more "real" keep up the faith!

@4:14 Fr. Casey nailed the black & white of it, and I am a textbook lay person, but my unsolicited advice from one parent to another: 1. Give them love, overwhelming love. Love God, love your kiddo, and the most difficult part of the journey is over. 2. Before my conversion, I was a strong proponent for LGBTQ as well as not pro-life. These were actually incredibly difficult for me to overcome, and especially in regards to being an Ally, I made a personal revelation that helped me reconcile my long lived beliefs with my newfound yet undeniable belief in God and His Church. We are all sinners, I am a practicing Catholic, and if you ask my family, they'd probably go as far as to call me zealous, but before I even get to work in the morning I have sinned at least a handful of times. "In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do." Your child is loved so completely by God, just as any other. 3. I firmly believe part of the issue is the tremendous push back that very particular sin receives, which is why I say love them hard and firstly. Until I see marches denouncing divorce or pornography with the same fervor I have seen anti-LGBTQ marches, I will not be convinced that those screaming the loudest are truly there for Christ but rather their own bias and hate. 4. When I started studying Latin, I translated a saying I liked and made myself practice it to the point that it's engraved in my dang brain and it's my final advice - "Fac quod potes, et tende de reliquis." Do what you can, and let the Lord tend to the rest. It'll be okay.

You are a blessing to the church!

What!? This was 5 days ago??? My daughter and parents were in Rome and visited the Vatican 5 days ago, you may have crossed paths. So cool!!! I quite enjoy your videos, you shed a lot of light on areas that everyday folks (such as myself) wonder about. Thank you for all you do. You will continue to be in my prayers.

Welcome to Italy Fr. Casey! And thank you for this video, so many things to meditate!

Somehow the travel shoots and different settings made this even more enjoyable!

Brother Casey, I don’t even know how to start this comment except to say that I love what you’re saying and I’m with you 100%. This is what I was taught in seminary and by my own experience in the parish and in ministry, it is really a shame that people can’t separate the things that are bad nature from the things that are actually wonderful in the church Without giving up on the church or changing denominations or whatever it is that people do these days. Comment I really really appreciate. I heard people say I have Jesus that’s all I need. Right on! But I’m with you on that. We’re asked to do a lot more than just be with Jesus. He is our own personal God yes but he’s also everybody else who will believe in him yes so why not share it and to family talk about the church and the blessings of community, talk about the sacraments and the use of them and being ready to receive them when they’re available.❤

As a lapsed Catholic myself, I am very happy you addressed these concerns candidly. One of my biggest hang ups is the rules/laws vs. Jesus question you brought up. I completely understand some rules are necessary, but I also do feel the church should consider a major review of all rules that were not given to us by Jesus or the Scriptures.

When people ask "why does God allow suffering" they aren't necessarily talking about a single parent struggling to make ends meet. I think this question more often comes with examples in mind such as childhood cancer, innocent children having to experience violation, unspeakable bodily mutilation or disability, that sort of thing. The type of suffering that seems impossible to explain by saying something like "it builds character". There is depravity and agony in the world that is so intense and absurd that it couldn't possibly be worth the "lesson" one may get out of it. Where's the lesson in a child being sold into trafficking and dying of an STD before age 10?

In the US we are failing as Catholics... ...In mass we don't get to hear babies cry anymore. This is not good. We are not passing the Faith to our children. (if we have them)

Well done Fr. Casey. Answering some critical questions that are out there in a manner that should give many pause for thought! But many of these questions come from what is wrong with the church or simply 'doesn't fit my lfe' . We cannot leave out what the believer needs and only receives in the Catholic Church: The Eucharist and the confession: the forgiveness of sins.

I am a practicing Catholic and in discernment to consecrated religious life. I look forward to the day when women are no longer excluded from ordained ministry. Pope Francis has to date upheld the Catholic church's unequal treatment of women by exploiting misogynistic metaphors to dismiss the sincerely discerned vocations of priesthood in women, dating from and including Doctor of the Church St. Therese of Lisieux. How much our world lost because St. Therese of Lisieux was forbidden to live out her vocation in its fullness! Just as the world and our Church suffer when any person fails or is blocked from living out the fullness of their vocation. Pope Francis recently said women's ordination is "a theological problem", rooted in what are known as the "Petrine" and "Marian" principles. The pope is referencing a concept popularized by Swiss theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar (1805 - 1988) that essentially suggests the church has two natures: One based on the example of Peter, called to lead the church founded by Jesus. And one based on the example of Mary as the spouse of God, humbly receiving God's will and having a child, as the church is called to bear fruit in the world. These binary and complementary natures are meant to reflect the essentially feminine and masculine qualities of people, and therefore: women are to reflect Mary's example and men are to reflect Peter's. Women = Mary = Spouse = Church Man = Peter = Priest = Christ So in this thinking, because priests act in persona Christi, they must be men because they must "resemble" Jesus' maleness to be "capable" of having a "spousal" relationship with the church. AKA women cannot be priests because they cannot image Christ, because they do not have the genitalia. This can be followed to its (heretical) conclusion: Women are not made in the image and likeness of God. This argument prioritizes Jesus' maleness over his humanness, and reduces the spousal metaphor to a male-female relationship instead of a symbol of fidelity and mutual commitment. The simplistic gendering and sexualization of one's relationship with God and discipleship are not just a disservice to the Catholic imagination, but a tool of oppression. In this system, men are considered more suited for positions of authority and power, while women -- by their nature -- are best suited for obedience and submission. "A women's 'dignity' is best fulfilled through her role as a bride and mother." And you might be thinking: Aren't men part of the church? If this theory is taken to its logical end, it makes no sense that men can be part of the "Marian principle" of the church, but women couldn't possibly be part of the "Petrine principle" of the priesthood. And, in the words of St. Gregory Nazianzen, "What has not been assumed has not been saved". If we believe that Jesus assumed only maleness, and not humanness, then only the maleness he assumed is saved - not women. If the Catholic church won't ordain women because they don't resemble Jesus, then following that broken theology to its logical end they should also stop baptizing women. To act in persona Christi does not mean physically resembling the historical Jesus of Nazareth, but emulating Jesus the Christ, whose essential nature is not in his male anatomy but in his status as the eternal Logos of God, the second Person of the Trinity, and mediator for the church on earth. Nothing about this requires a specific set of body parts. "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." -- Gal 3:28 Fr. Casey, I'm grateful for the wonderful and needed media ministry you do here on this channel in an increasingly secular society. I am sure it comes with its own burdens, trials, and delights. I would ask that you prayerfully and seriously consider all theological arguments for and against women's ordination in the Catholic church, as well as take care and time to listen to the stories of laywomen who continue to experience their call to the diaconate. You have a broad reach on this channel, much more than most other Sisters, Brothers, or Fathers. I was so delighted reading Jesuit Gregory Boyle's second book "Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship" (2017) where he too shared that he looks forward to the day when women will no longer be excluded from ordained ministry. As I continue discerning my own vocation, including a potential call to priesthood that came up and persisted since the third month of my first round of discernment, I tearfully hold the stories of many Sisters who had also sincerely discerned a call to priesthood but to this day have never been permitted to live into it fully. How our Church suffers!

Father Casey, great video as always but can we also talk about how eerily empty and quiet the international terminal at BWI is? Honestly it’s the perfect place to make RU-vid videos!

I think my problem is just how little of the original practice remains. You walk into a orthodox church and you get such a sense of the early church. Even the order, and the recitations, and the design of the building, each little thing is just better.

You mentioned general suffering at the beginning but i would ask a follow-up , what about the suffering of innocents? Children. Some of the suffering is so invisible or hidden (starving/torture in far away places) that it will never come to the light of day so can affect no greater change. What about this suffering?

Thank you fr Casey for the knowledge snd clarity shared

If you are going anywhere near Verona, welcome! :D

I dont get why Jesus choosing 12 male disciples 2000 years ago means no woman can ever he priests. That just doesn't seem logical to me. Why does what happened 2000 years ago mean that is how we are supposed to live today. Not to mention, Peter was married, and we clearly dont allow that (with few exceptions). I dont see anywhere where Jesus directly states that only men can be priests. I feel like the Church is making a big leap in assumption that is what Jesus wants purely based on the fact his 12 disciples were male.

What a beautiful video, all these questions were answered so eloquently with care and understanding where the person is coming from. Hope you enjoyed your time in rome

I was shocked to read about Fr Patrick Tuttle. Every time the air starts to clear, another one comes crashing down and we have to start all over again.

Just curious on how you had all that filmed, considering passing through security and onto the plane? Did you have a camera person accompany through it all? You do a great job making many things very understandable. I'm thinking your sermons must be really good, too! Are any of them recorded?

Great video. Interesting questions answered in a loving way with engaging background of your travels. Having never been overseas out of Australia I found it fascinating. Thank you Fr Casey. ❤✝️🇦🇺

Perhaps there are 'lapsed Catholics' because there are some priests and religious who post on social media that we made an 'idol' out of the Eucharist. The eucharist is literally the body, blood soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since religious are out there uttering such blasphemy, it is no wonder the liaty is led away from the church.

Fr. Casey, I agree with you 💯 Praying for you 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 to continue the mission to bring back parishioners to our Catholic Faith ❤️

I am not baptized Catholic. I was baptized in a Celtic evensong service that I attended for several years. I pray the rosary and yes, have downloaded the hallow app. If I were to walk up to Jesus' table seeking full communion with Him and my sisters and brothers in Christ, the Savior I know would not turn me nor anyone away that wanted to know Him. I see Him smiling with open arms to all that wanted to partake of the Sacrament. That is the only thing I wish, from all that you spoke on, to be different. To feel as if I am not good enough or worthy of taking communion in a Catholic church, even though I am a devoted baptized Christian, hurts my soul.

Protestant here, we have communion! I do agree you guys do a better job though in making communion a holy event, but I also think there is room for “casual communion” without all the fan fair, like the early church did with their love feasts.

Great video as always, thank you Fr. Casey!

The non denominational churches don’t have the sacraments and for me that’s a big deal and I know where I belong.

Point of clarification: Is there no place for queer people in the catholic church or do people just don't like to be told that they should not give in to their instincts and sin? HUGE difference there. Nobody in our individual-minded Zeitgeist wants to hear this, sure, but telling you what you're doing is wrong is not the same as casting you out.

Please pray for church in Europe. We don’t have many priests and it’s becoming so difficult to be christian as a young adult. We are so struggling

Dear Casey, I have been thinking of converting to Catholicism for a long time, at least since I found God again last year. The more I learn about Catholicism the more I want to convert, but it seems inaccessible to me right now (mostly due to my family). I know you likely get this question often, but what can I do?

The thing that confuses me the most is that God made some people gay... but then the church does not allow such people to marry, and of course practicing any sexual act outside of marriage is a sin (and practicing gay sexual acts at all is a sin). It just seems rather unfair. I can understand if no one is really meant to be gay to begin with, but if being gay is part of God's creation.... is this making any sense?

So what you say about the removing of the fast from meat at Vatican II sounds good in theory, but in practice it really has lead to nothing but nobody observing any kind of fast at all in the Catholic Church. I was a Catholic for most of my life. Never fasted, was never told to fast. Never saw anyone talk about fasting. As an Orthodox we all fast 2 days a week and people do keep that fast. So I think the Friday fast was good. You guys should bring it back. In fact, you guys should bring back the twice a week fast the apostles instituted in the didache. Fasting is such an important part of asceticism. We have a shared saint, John Climacus, who wrote a book called The Ladder of Divine Ascent, who talks much about how many temptations can be overcome through the combination of prayer and fasting.

Hallelujah!!! I’m favored and blessed with $60,000 every week! Now I can afford anything and also support the work of God and the church.

I love that you understood how engaging and welcoming non-denominational churches are (in my experience, that has lacked in the Catholic Church). I understand how you mention lacking the Eucharist, but to many ex-Catholics (like myself), following a lot of rules and having to go to confession (which can be traumatic with some priests) just to be considered “worthy” and “in a state of grace” isn’t really feasible anyways.

I always enjoy your videos, Fr. Casey! I do wish you might have addressed the issue of female ordination more...fully? That part came across as " ::shrug:: that's how it's always been!" And it was right after a part where you discussed the difference between doctrine (adjusting the expression of faith in a changing world) and dogma. I personally don't have an issue with a male-only priesthood (deacons are another conversation), but I do have an issue with a male-only hierarchy (and one that "explains" to women what their roles are, no less) and what that conveys to Catholics at large about the status of women. That can be seen in sexist comments from priests and lay Catholics. That can be seen in some Catholic cemeteries where priests are buried in a beautiful section of the cemetery with beautiful headstones while nuns are buried in a corner in the back with simple markers. And so on. I know that you also recognize that more needs to be done with regard to the role of women in the church, since you have commented on it before and I know that you had women fill important roles in your ordination ceremony. This is just something to consider. Thanks again for your great outreach!

Closed communion is so ancient, referenced clearly in the Didache (the oldest non biblical Christian document in existence, older than some of the Gospel). The language used is quite harsh but clear, "do not give what is Holy to the dogs."

Benvenuto in Italia, Padre Casey!

I love your videos - I keep learning so much. Thank you Fr. Casey; God bless!

I have learned a lot from you Father Casey that even if I am not knowledgeable about the Bible it is as if I have already enhanced my knowledge about th faith.

Thank you for your teachings so practical and so simple and clear even if we don't understand it all but someday with Jesus we will mean time persevere

Judging The Catholic Church by the actions of a few is like judging the ocean by a few waves. We are far greater than that, we are the only Church established by Jesus Christ. We are His Bride. Eph 5:22-33, Rev 22:17 The Catholic Church is the pillar and foundation of truth. 1 Tim 3:15 Leaving the only Church established by Jesus Christ for any reason is turning your back on Him. He gave us His Church, Clergy, Doctrine, Sacraments and Teachings; then taught and prayed everyone would remain in His Church. He rebuked the Pharisees and Scribes for making their own versions of His Church and Doctrine, just like all other Christian Churches have done. He taught if we don’t remain, we will not have Him. If we don’t receive His Sacraments, we will never enter Heaven. Other Christian Churches don’t receive Gods Sacraments, Scriptures, Gospel or Sacred Traditions; they receive heretical men’s versions. Mt23:1-39, Lk11:37-54, Jn1:42, 21:15-17, Mt16:18-19, 10:1-4, Mk3:14-19, Eph 2:19-22, 1Cor12:28, Acts 20:28, Lk 22:28-32, 1Pet 2:6-9, Eph5:22-33, Rev 22:17, 1Tim3:15 Remain -Jn10:16, 17:20-26, Eph 4:4-6, 2 JN1:9, 2Thess3:6-16, Rom16:17, Heb13:9, Gal1:6-9, 2Cor11:3-4 Sacraments- Jn3:5, Act22:16, 2Cor5:18-20, Jn20:21-23, Mt18:17-18, Jn6:51-59, 1Cor 11:23-29, Eph1:13, 2Cor1:21-22, Mt19:4-6, Col3: 17-19, 2Cor5:20,1:25-29,Lk22:28:32, Jm5:16, Lk10:34

'Do not call yourselves teachers. You have one Teacher, Christ.' - Unchangeable Truth.

I have a very important question. Has anyone ever in their life witnessed an alter server catch a dropped Eucharist in the little plate thing they hold during communion?

Hi Fr Casey, As an atheist, I quite enjoy your videos. I hope you keep it up! I had a question for you (or anyone else who may have an answer). I guess I’m not quite understanding why being created gay and not living chastely is a particularly bad thing? Sure, it might be considered a sin, but isn’t swearing also sinful? And, despite the sinful nature of swearing, don’t people generally recognize it to be not too terrible in the grand scheme of things? Gay people loving one another fully seems to be even *less* harmful than swearing on the face of it - it actively strengthens their bonds and intimacy with one another, creates more love in the world, etc. If it wasn’t for the condemnation that exists in the Bible, it seems as though it would be an unmitigated good just as an infertile (say, due to a spinal injury inhibiting function) straight couple loving one another fully would be an unmitigated good. Maybe I’m misunderstanding here too though and an infertile straight couple ought to avoid or confess to sexual behavior because it can never result in reproduction? If swearing can sort of be dismissed (or maybe categorized) as not too serious in the grand scheme of things - not a mortal sin that needs to be confessed to, as I understand it - why shouldn’t gay folks loving one another fully be even less dire than swearing? EDIT: Also, kudos for consistently sticking up for gay folks in a way that lines up with your morals, despite the backlash you consistently receive. That’s pretty badass imo. Paladin moment.

I haven't got all the sacraments yet. I would like to get communion, I cannot. I think this is the correct choice on the Church's part

The problem is not actions of some pervy priests. The problem is how the Catholic Church (mis)handled it, in a manner designed to protect the image of the church, rather than any adherence to Christian or Secular justice, or even common decency.

The airport background is what finally pushed me to watch this video :)

Please give me the scripture where Jesus said that women could not minister? I hope that one day you will discern the difference between Christianity and Paulianity...

The mistake the Church made was not turning the wrong doers over to the criminal justice system. They should not have attempted to bury it by trying to cover it up or handle it internally. The Church likely attracted more than its share of people with that tendency, who saw it as a place to be and not be questioned about their status. However, the condition does persist in all levels of society; among the laity as well, no matter what their status is. Whether psychological counseling can help with it or not is not clear. The Church should still be supported; it kept the dark occult out of the mainstream before the age of reason. It has established universities and hospitals and has been a comfort to people in difficult times. Hopefully, it will be again. Anyone who has a problem that leads to criminal activity should be turned over to the law and not protected or reassigned so they continue with the abuse. That was the mistake the Church made and it was a bad one. However, I believe it should be given a second chance. All groups protect their own. They should on no account do so, if there is criminal activity; the law should take charge.

Love your videos, father Casey thank you so much for all that you do❤

You mention the Friday sacrifice. I either give up meat or caffeine. Today, I'm giving up caffeine.

Friday social media fasting would be a hardship and sacrifice for many.

Truly enjoy your videos. Raised in a Middle Eastern Catholic church, I’ve been an atheist since I had a beautiful epiphany at the age of 15. Magical, spiritual awakening. Yet, as I get older, I crave rules, community and wish I could have that blind faith. But, cannot pretend to believe in something I feel in every fiber of my being not to be true. Although, I try to live a pure life and follow the Bible in many ways. I guess it’s cultural and ingrained in me from my childhood. Despised organized religion in my youth but grown to appreciate it and its contribution to our communities. Can be a beautiful thing. I wish the respect was mutual. Saying the word atheist brings out the ugly in the most religious people, it’s baffling and unlike Jesus.

Well done Fr. Casey. I really appreciate your empathic, but no nonsense responses to concerns of those who have become separated from from the Church, and to some extent are choosing to separate themselves from God too. Many blame God for the failings of our human failings on earth, forgetting that Jesus died on the cross for the very purpose of reuniting us with the Father and giving us a path to heaven. May Jesus' Peace continue to be with you Fr. Casey.

There are a lot of objectionable statements in the video, but I will focus on just this one: we can't have open communion because only those who have sacrificed can participate in the communion and only priests can sacrifice. As Catholics we are a nation of priests making sacrifice for the world. If it helps you can you think of the "priest" who leads the sacrifice through a special chrism as a "presbyter" to distinguish between these two different aspects of a single priestly function. But it's very important that Catholics realize that they are priests and this is what allows them to participate in the economy of Jesus' own sacrifice and by doing so help make restitution for the world in order to bring about its sanctification. Hence going to a nondenominational Church is not actually the practice of Christianity. I'll include another objectionable statement below:

I agree with your answer on suffering. I am not trivialising anybody's experience, I am a mental health nurse and see some of the most intense suffering you're likely to see in a rich western country, but even there God is present. The correlation between pleasure and virtue is not as tight as we assume in some forms of the problem of suffering

Theology and social work dual degree grad student here-- in terms of suffering, emerging subfields of theology, such as trauma theology, would disagree with this idea that suffering is character building. A sizeable number of people experience devastating and long-term impacts on quality of life in response to adversity and traumatic experiences. Suffering can lead to mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, dissociative personality disorder and the like-- the reality is that suffering does not always lead to a greater good. I think suffering is a natural consequence of the freedom of life, and the important part is that God is with us in that suffering.

Jesus also chose fisherman but that's not a tradition that is preserved

Father Casey. You said that only actions count as sin. But here's my problem with this. Jesus said if you think of a woman with lustful eyes you already commited adultery in your heart. So if i see an attractive woman and i imagine some things i don't want to write down...Jesus said is a sin. But you said only actions count as sin. Can you clarify this for me please? Ps. I love watching your videos. Thank you for your commited work ❤

Will "Upon Friar Review" with father Patrick ever be restored?

I have a question. Having taken a vow of poverty... would it be impossible for you to temporarily become a tent maker like the Apostle Paul and entirely support yourself making and selling tents? Funny question, I know. I was just curious if the path of the Apostle Paul, wandering the earth, planting churches and almost entirely supporting himself by making tents up until he was imprisoned. If that path is entirely closed to the Franciscan order.

You wouldnt jump off the arc if Noah sinned, so why would u leave the church if a priest sinned?