The 5 Toughest Questions Catholics Get

Let’s face it. being Catholic in today’s world means being ready for tough questions. “Why do you worship Mary?” “Where’s purgatory in the Bible?” “Why confess to a priest?” “Isn’t the Church just full of scandals?” “Why follow the Pope - he’s just a man, right?” These questions can catch you off guard, but they don’t have to. Each one has a clear and powerful answer rooted in Scripture, history, and the truth of the Catholic faith. Let’s walk through the five big ones - and how to answer them with clarity, love, and confidence.

“Why do Catholics worship Mary?”

Short Answer: We don’t. Catholics honor Mary, but we worship only God. We venerate Mary because God chose her to be the Mother of Jesus, and she continues to point us toward Him. “My soul magnifies the Lord.” - Luke 1:46 and “All generations will call me blessed.” - Luke 1:48 Just as Jesus honored His mother (Exodus 20:12), so do we. Asking Mary to pray for us is no different than asking a friend to pray for you, except she’s in Heaven, perfectly united to Christ. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” - James 5:16 Mary is the most righteous human being who ever lived! We honor her as Jesus did, and we ask her intercession, not because she is God, but because she is His mother and ours (John 19:26–27).

“Why do Catholics believe in purgatory? It’s not in the Bible.”

Actually, it is - just not by name. Purgatory is a state of purification for souls who die in God’s grace but are not yet fully purified. Scripture shows that nothing unclean will enter Heaven (Revelation 21:27), and that God refines us like gold (Malachi 3:2–3). “If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” —1 Corinthians 3:15 This isn’t Hell, it’s a process of being made ready for Heaven. Catholics don’t see purgatory as punishment. We see it as mercy - God finishing what He started in us. “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” - Philippians 1:6

“Why do you confess your sins to a priest instead of just going directly to God?”

Because Jesus told us to. After His resurrection, Jesus gave His apostles the power to forgive sins: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain them, they are retained.” - John 20:22–23 How could the apostles forgive or retain sins if they didn’t know what the sins were? Confession was part of the early Church from the beginning. Confession isn’t about going through a middleman. It’s about experiencing God’s forgiveness through His chosen ministers, just as He intended. Plus, speaking your sins out loud brings healing, accountability, and real grace. “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” - James 5:16

“How can you trust the Catholic Church after all the scandals?”

This is a painful question - and a necessary one. The truth is: some leaders have done terrible things. And the Church has at times failed to protect the innocent. We grieve that. We condemn it. And reforms have been made. But here’s the deeper truth: Jesus didn’t promise the Church would be sinless. He promised it would be protected. “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” - Matthew 16:18 The failures of individuals don’t cancel the truth of the Church’s teachings - just as Judas’s betrayal didn’t cancel the Gospel. The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints. And God still uses broken people to do holy things.

“Why follow the Pope? He’s just a man.”

Yes, the Pope is just a man. But he holds an office established by Christ Himself. Jesus gave Peter a special role: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church…” - Matthew 16:18 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” - Matthew 16:19 “Strengthen your brothers.” - Luke 22:32 “Feed My sheep.” - John 21:17 Peter was the first Pope, and history shows an unbroken line of successors from him to today. The Pope isn’t sinless, but he is protected by the Holy Spirit from teaching error on faith and morals (see John 16:13). Following the Pope doesn’t mean agreeing with every opinion. It means trusting that God guides the Church through him, especially in what matters most.

Final Word: You Don’t Need All the Answers to Stay Catholic - But the Church Has Them

Catholicism isn’t about blind faith or weak answers. It’s built on 2,000 years of truth, Scripture, history, and grace. When questions come - and they will - don’t panic. Dig deeper. Ask. Learn. Pray. Because the more you understand the Catholic faith… The more you realize: it’s not just true. It’s beautiful. So be ready to answer - but do it with love.

“Always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you - but do it with gentleness and respect.” - 1 Peter 3:15