There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church —
which is, of course, quite a different thing.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
In the interest of aiding any person who seeks to learn more about the Catholic faith, for their own understanding and education, or for those who would like to be better able to explain and defend it to others, I am sharing some links to sites and pages of apologetics and explanations that I have found to be immensely helpful. :)
Please feel free to visit any or all of the links provided here, as often as desired. I hope they may be of service to you.
God bless you!
Catholic Answers: provides explanations to the most common questions about or objections to Catholicism. (See 'Categories' on the left) The rest of the website also provides extensive help -- including a radio program which you can listen to live online, and call in with questions.
Biblical Evidence for Catholicism: an exhaustive resource, and just what its name sounds like.
Called to Communion: Reformation Meets Rome: Catholic and Reformed (Calvinist) dialogue, including other Protestant denominations, as well. Click for specific Resources by Topic and an Index of Articles. (Articles usually examine Protestant doctrine compared with Catholic doctrine, in great depth, or common objections)
A few selections:
Christ Founded a Visible Church;
Sola Scriptura vs. the Magisterium: What did Jesus Teach?;
The Depth of the Splendor: St. John Chrysostom's View of Liturgy;
Magical Sacraments in Elfland
The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology: extensive list of articles and links to helpful, in-depth explanations, by topic.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church: the entire Catechism online, offered on the Vatican's website! For a searchable online Catechism (allows you to search for specific terms), the Knights of Columbus provide one here.
Catholic Information Service: from the Knights of Columbus, they offer free online versions of their two informational booklet series: the Luke E. Hart series, focusing on what Catholics believe, how they worship, and how they live; and the Veritas series, focusing on topics about the Church, issues facing Catholics today, and more. (There should a be a click-through box in the middle of the page from which to choose which series, then which booklet.)
Bible Christian Society: an online Scripturally-focused resource which includes, under their 'Apologetics' heading, such things as free audio downloads, explanatory booklets on certain faith issues, and "2-minute apologetics", which address specific questions about the Faith in a concise manner.
Jesus is Catholic: this is a beautiful and rich theological discussion on the Catholicity of Christ and His Church, from the great theologian Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar. (an excerpt from his book In the Fullness of Faith: On the Centrality of the Distinctively Catholic)
She is Black, but She is Beautiful: by Dr. Anthony Esolen, a reflection on the profound beauty of the Church and its eternal truths, while also 'paradoxically' consisting of us broken, sickly sinners. (“The Church is a hospital for sinners.”)
The Uniqueness of Christianity: Dr. Peter Kreeft examines 12 of the most common objections to Christianity being the one True Faith.
What Makes the Catholic Faith Unique?: an excellent overview of the Faith as compared to other religions, by author and apologist Mark Shea.
Where the Bishop is, there let the multitude of believers be; even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church.
Saint Ignatius of Antioch, 1st century A.D.
About Jesus Christ and the Church,
I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter.
I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter.
Saint Joan of Arc
Now that I am in the Catholic Church I have a much clearer picture of its true image. I see in all her vitals the Image of Christ. In the reception of her sacraments I feel His comforting hand; in her pronouncements I hear His authoritative, cogent voice; in her manifold world-wide charities I see His love and compassion; in the way she is harassed and vilified I see His agony and humility on Calvary; in her worship I feel His Spirit girding my soul.
This compels my obedience. All else is shifting sand.
John Deering, scientist and former atheist
Now that I am in the Catholic Church I have a much clearer picture of its true image. I see in all her vitals the Image of Christ. In the reception of her sacraments I feel His comforting hand; in her pronouncements I hear His authoritative, cogent voice; in her manifold world-wide charities I see His love and compassion; in the way she is harassed and vilified I see His agony and humility on Calvary; in her worship I feel His Spirit girding my soul.
This compels my obedience. All else is shifting sand.
John Deering, scientist and former atheist
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