Ask a Franciscan

How do the Orthodox Churches and Roman Catholic Church differ in faith, liturgy, and leadership? How do Eastern Catholic Churches fit in?  The 21 Orthodox Churches are loosely linked under the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), but not all ...

How did the Nicene Creed come about?  In AD 325, 12 years after Christianity had become a “tolerated religion” in the Roman Empire, Emperor Constantine convoked and presided over the First Council of Nicaea (modern-day Izmir, Turkey). The council addressed ...

My adult nephew recently asked me: “How do I know that the Bible is the Word of God and not simply a collection of human writings? How do I know that the people who decided what belongs in the Bible ...

I have trouble dealing with the concept of God accepting pain or illness as payment for some kind of wrongdoing. Jesus did it, but he is God. Is my friend correct? Am I?

To fulfill the Sunday obligation to attend Mass, how long or for what parts must you be present? What is the penitential rite? Must you be present for that? When may you leave and still fulfill the obligation?

According to Acts 1:26, Matthias was selected to replace Judas, bringing the number of apostles back to 12. I know that the pope, the bishop of Rome, is considered the successor of Peter. Were the other apostles replaced upon their ...