Catholic Answers Live Episode #12458

Date: November 14, 2025
Main Theme: Does Anointing of the Sick Remove Mortal Sin? Confession and Sacraments
Primary Guest: Tim Staples
Fill-in Host: Edgar Lujano
Guest Apologist: Tom Nash

Overview

This episode of Catholic Answers Live focused on Catholic sacramental theology—with particular attention to the effects of the Anointing of the Sick (“Last Rites”) on mortal sin and entry into heaven, requirements for receiving Confirmation in a state of sin, and a wide variety of questions concerning sacraments, religious orders, Bible translations, and evangelization. Tim Staples and Tom Nash delivered the answers, blending biblical references, Catechism citations, personal experiences, and practical advice, all with their characteristic clarity and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sacraments in a State of Mortal Sin

[01:15] Tom Nash on Confirmation & Mortal Sin:

• A person can validly receive Confirmation when in a state of mortal sin, but “it would be in vain,” as mortal sin creates a grave impediment to the effects of the sacrament.
• Analogy: Two people can validly marry without going to Confession, but their relationship to God is impeded if they are in sin.
• Being confirmed while in mortal sin means not benefiting from the graces—the individual is “being an obstacle to God whose graces you are supposedly willing to be open to receive.”
• Quote:
  "You can be validly confirmed and still not make it to heaven precisely because you are not in right relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ."
  — Tom Nash [02:54]
• The Church encourages Confession before Confirmation to ensure proper disposition.

2. Anointing of the Sick, Mortal Sin, and the Apostolic Pardon

[04:13] Caller Julie’s Question:
If a person receives last rites/anointing of the sick during active dying—do they go straight to heaven if not in mortal sin? How does it work if they are in mortal sin?

[04:46] Tom Nash’s Response:

• God is not bound by the sacraments, but sacraments are the normative means of grace (see Catechism 1257).
• Temporal punishment may remain even after forgiveness (analogy: window broken by child—father forgives, but the window still needs fixing).
• Apostolic Pardon—when given by a priest, remits not only sin but also temporal punishment, providing confidence that the soul will go “directly to heaven.”
• Personal Example: Suffering and long illness may fulfill or lessen purgatorial needs (“doing his purgatory for himself ... and maybe a few other people doing his redemptive suffering.”)
• “Only God can say for sure what happens ... but normatively speaking, yes, if they do receive that apostolic pardon, you can have confidence they’re going to heaven very soon, directly.”
• Quote:
  “We talk about how somebody, a father, can forgive his kid for breaking the window, but there’s still a broken window and there’s a certain temporal restitution that we have to do our part to make things better.”
  — Tom Nash [05:23]

3. Explaining the Real Presence to Children

[08:32] Patricia’s Question:
Advice for explaining the Real Presence in the Eucharist to granddaughters making First Holy Communion.

[08:53] Tom Nash’s Teaching Points:

• Use Old & New Passover analogy:
  • In the Old Covenant, Jews ate the Passover lamb after sacrificing it—marking their doors with its blood.
  • Jesus is the New Covenant Passover Lamb. His bones weren’t broken (John 19:36, Exodus 12) in fulfillment of prophecy.
  • As Israelites ate the lamb, so Christians receive Jesus—the Lamb of God—in the Eucharist.
  • Cite John 6:53-58 (eat my flesh, drink my blood), "it is his body and blood, soul and divinity."
• Bread and wine as priestly sacrifice:
  • Jesus is a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 5:7, 10; Genesis 14:18–20). Melchizedek offered bread and wine, foreshadowing Eucharist.
• Undivided Real Presence:
  • Breaking the host does not divide Jesus; He remains whole and undivided in each piece.
• Sacrificial & Heavenly Aspect:
  • The Mass bridges earth and heaven; it’s both a meal and one sacrifice, re-presented.
  • “Nowhere more profoundly are those words of the Lord’s prayer ‘Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ more fulfilled than in the holy sacrifice of the Mass …” [15:32]
• Quote:
  “So it is his body and blood, soul and divinity. That's why if you break a consecrated host, even though it's two pieces, our Lord is present in a whole and undivided manner …”
  — Tom Nash [09:48]

4. Receiving Sacraments with Intellectual Disabilities

[17:54] Dan’s Question (via Host):
Autistic son cannot sit through or comprehend sacramental prep—may he receive Eucharist/Confirmation?

[18:11] Tim Staples’ Answer:

• The “bar is very, very low” with intellectual disabilities.
• Personal Story: Tim’s son, “quite severely autistic,” with limited comprehension, was able to receive with pastor’s approval.
• Discuss with pastor; the child only needs some acknowledgment, not full theological understanding.
• In the Eastern churches, infants receive all three Sacraments of Initiation.
• Quote:
  “A baby can't comprehend at all and can receive the sacraments. But for an adult convert, there does need to be some acknowledgment...again, the bar is very, very low.”
  — Tim Staples [19:55]

5. Religious Orders, Monasteries, and Biblical Roots

[21:07] Eric’s Question:
What are Augustinians, Little Sisters of the Poor, religious orders, monasteries? Do women have monasteries? Who are monks and nuns?

[21:08–38:29] Tim Staples’ Comprehensive Answer:

• Biblical roots for diversity of ministries and religious orders:
  • Matthew 10:40–42—Hierarchies and gifts in the Church (apostles, prophets, “righteous men,” “little ones”; all rewarded for service/living in their name).
• Early monasticism: Desert monks of 3rd c. Egypt as example.
• Orders coalesce around charismatic, holy figures—St. Benedict (Benedictines), St. Francis (Franciscans), St. Dominic (Dominicans), and women founders (Mother Angelica, Mother Teresa).
• Following a “rule” or spiritual charism is not subtracting from Jesus; it's a participation in the gifts Jesus bestows.
• Quote:
  “This is the biblical foundation for the idea of religious orders that recognize particular gifts ... to act in the name of a disciple, like the Franciscans acting in the spirit of St. Francis …”
  — Tim Staples [31:48]
• Women participate—e.g., nuns in monasteries founded by women religious.

6. Bible Translations & the Liturgy

[41:48] Robert’s Questions:
How long for new Catholic Bible translations to take effect? What should we expect?

[41:48] Tim Staples’ Answer:

• Translations are committee efforts, often taking “12 to 15 years on average,” but often more—“sometimes as much as 25 or even 30 years.”
• Approval process: Committees, bishops’ conferences, Vatican. Even then, ongoing review leads to revised translations.
• Liturgical translations are especially meticulous—Pope John Paul II expedited changes on specific texts (e.g., “full of grace” in Luke 1:28).
• Quote:
  “It's not that it was an incorrect translation. It was just really weak. And it didn't get at the beauty of the fullness of grace that's being communicated about the Blessed Mother.”
  — Tim Staples [46:31]
• Each update aims to better reflect the scriptural and theological tradition.

7. Evangelizing Family & Addressing Anti-Catholic Bias

[49:10] John in Fort Worth’s Story & Challenge:

• Grew up in a highly exclusivist Pentecostal group; wife wary of Catholicism; seeking advice on sensitive evangelization.

[52:17] Tim Staples’ Advice:

• Share personal story with humility and love.
• "Scratch where it itches"—let the other person raise their primary objection; focus on that one issue before moving to others.
• Most important: listen, love, and testify to the transformation and depth you’ve found in Christ through the Catholic Church.
• Quote:
  “The most important thing is to love people and to tell them, look, I love Jesus. I have found the fullness of the gospel in the Catholic Church, but I love Jesus the same, even more now than I ever did. Let's talk.”
  — Tim Staples [54:32]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “God, who has bound salvation to the sacraments, is not himself bound by the sacraments.” — Tom Nash [04:46]
• “You can be validly confirmed and still not make it to heaven precisely because you are not in right relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Tom Nash [02:54]
• “If they do receive that apostolic pardon, you can have confidence they’re going to heaven very soon, directly.” — Tom Nash [06:32]
• “We have fathers, priests. We have fathers, heads of religious orders. In the spirit of St. Paul, he’s a father to the Corinthians ... those gifts come in lots of different ways.” — Tim Staples [35:54]
• “There is a pretty low bar when it comes to what you’re able to comprehend when you’re talking about mental disabilities.” — Tim Staples [18:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:15] – Can one receive Confirmation in a state of mortal sin?
• [04:08–07:05] – Does Anointing of the Sick remove mortal sin/purgatory? The apostolic pardon explained.
• [08:32–15:56] – How to explain the Real Presence to children (First Communion).
• [17:54–20:17] – Sacraments and intellectual disabilities (children with autism).
• [21:07–38:29] – Religious orders, monasteries, biblical roots, and holy founders (with Scriptures).
• [41:48–48:58] – Bible translations for Catholic liturgy: process, history, and impact.
• [49:10–55:04] – Evangelizing anti-Catholic family/friends, patient dialog, and personal story-sharing.

Tone & Style

• Warm, approachable, and pastoral; Tom Nash and Tim Staples mix personal anecdotes and theological precision.
• Frequent biblical and Catechism citations.
• Supportive and affirming, especially with callers facing challenges (intellectual disabilities, evangelizing loved ones, etc.)
• Gentle humor and camaraderie between hosts and callers.

Summary Table

| Segment | Topic | Speaker | Key Takeaway | |---------|-------|---------|--------------| | 01:15 | Confirmation in Sin | Tom Nash | Valid but fruitless unless in grace | | 04:08 | Anointing of Sick | Tom Nash | Apostolic pardon may remove even purgatory | | 08:32 | Eucharist to Kids | Tom Nash | Old/New Passover analogy, Real Presence | | 17:54 | Autism & Sacraments | Tim Staples | Bar is low; pastoral discretion | | 21:07 | Religious Orders | Tim Staples | Scriptural roots for diverse gifts/orders | | 41:48 | Bible Translations | Tim Staples | Slow, rigorous; continual improvement | | 49:10 | Evangelizing Family | Tim Staples | Listen, love, address their main objections |

For full understanding of any sacramental question, listen to the referenced segments for practical and theological depth with real-life examples and scriptural backing.