#12620 Why Two Catholic Masses? Answers on Latin Mass AMA: Dropped Calls - Jimmy Akin
Why does the Catholic Church have both the Traditional Latin Mass and the modern form of the Mass—and how should you explain the difference without getting pulled into “liturgy wars”? In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Catholic Answers apologists address this common question before diving into a wide range of topics. They explore whether charging interest is still considered usury, how just war theory applies to rebellions, and how historical cases like the Knights Templar fit with Church law. The episode also explains the role of baptism in justification, offers arguments against naturalism, and gives practical advice for strengthening Catholic marriages. Additional questions include how to understand Peter’s denial of Jesus and what it means for salvation. A rich discussion covering liturgy, moral theology, and everyday Catholic life.
Questions Covered:
05:32 – I attend the Tridentine Mass Almost exclusively at my ‘local’ FSSP parish. I have a friend seeking the Catholic Church who asked me ‘why do you have two different masses in the Western Rite? Why don’t you just attend the regular English one?’ I often say that I am drawn to the beauty and simplicity of it. How do we respond to this simply without dragging them into the so-called ‘liturgy wars’? How do we respond given the restrictions placed on the older masses? Basically, how do we address this difference to those outside the church? Do I just keep a response about ‘preferences of the faithful’?
11:46 – The Church has been quite vocal against usury over the centuries. Is it still defined as any lending of money at interest? How does this notion square with the idea of a variable money supply? Would things like bank accounts, bonds, cds or stocks still be considered illicit? Has there been any recent guidance from the magisterium?
19:02 – Does just war theory apply to rebellions? Historically, I’m thinking of Irish wars against the British Empire and slave revolts of African-descended peoples in the Americas, including during the U.S. Civil War. What would be the conditions of jus ad bellum in cases like these or any other group dealing with an oppressor?
28:46 – Canon 7 of Chalcedon forbids clergy and monks from war and holding secular office. How then did the Knights Templar, and bishops such as the bishop of Andorra, who also holds title of Co-Prince of Andorra, not violate this?
34:03 – How does baptism fit with “faith alone working through love?” Can someone with “faith alone working through love” be initially justified apart from baptism?
19:44 – What do you think is the most convincing argument/thought exercise against naturalism/empricism (or at least what the average indifferent secular person thinks they believe).
46:29 – What is your best advice for a married Catholic couple to strengthen their bond in marriage? Your stories about you and Renee are always so beautiful (the blue birds especially). Also thanks for being a Catholic cowboy. I grew up Southern Baptist, and seeing a southern Catholic gentleman do apologetics is really cool.
50:51 – Peter denied Jesus 3 times. After the cock crows three times he ran away in shame. What if he falls, hits his head and dies after this? Would his soul be in danger of damnation?