Catholic Answers Live

Episode #12474: Why Is Missing Mass a Mortal Sin? / Why Aren’t You Catholic?
Host: Cy Kellett
Guest Apologist: Dr. Karlo Broussard
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This engaging episode of Catholic Answers Live centers around two themes: the theological rationale behind why missing Sunday Mass is considered a mortal sin in the Catholic Church, and open-phone discussions with non-Catholic (or not-yet-Catholic) listeners who share their reasons for not being Catholic. Apologist Dr. Karlo Broussard takes live calls, offering both apologetics and pastoral counsel. The episode is marked by lighthearted Thanksgiving banter, in-depth catechetical explanations, and heartfelt, sometimes emotional conversations about faith, marriage, and salvation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Banter & Community Warmth (00:00–05:00)

• The episode opens with lighthearted discussion about Thanksgiving food: turkey skepticism, cranberry sauce preferences, and how to pronounce “pecan.”
• Emphasizes the familial, accessible tone of the show—a mix of humor, cultural references, and faith.

2. Caller: Jonathan – Why Is Missing Mass a Mortal Sin? (07:00–11:56)

• Question: Why does the Catholic Church consider intentionally missing Sunday Mass a mortal sin, especially when daily Mass is available and “day of rest” could fall on any day?
• Dr. Broussard’s Explanation:
  • The Church has juridical authority (cf. Matthew 16:19, 18:18) given by Christ to bind or loose obligations.
  • To deliberately skip Sunday Mass rejects the authority of the Church, which is ultimately rejecting Christ’s authority.
  • Quotes Luke 10:16 (“Whoever rejects you rejects me…”)
  • Grave offense is present, qualifying as “serious matter”; mortal sin also requires full knowledge and deliberate consent.
  • “To deliberately say no to going to Mass on Sunday, you are making a choice to reject the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. And that’s a pretty grave situation.” – Dr. Broussard (13:08)
• Notable Quote:
  • “When an individual makes a positive act of the will to say no to following the precept of the Church…that individual is just rejecting implicitly and even sometimes explicitly the very authority of Holy Mother Church to bind us in this way…It’s a rejection that involves Christ.” – Dr. Karlo Broussard (07:30)
• Catechism Reference: CCC 2181, 2182
  • “Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin…The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.” – Dr. Broussard (13:51)

3. Caller: Mustafa – Can Non-Christians Be Saved? Why Is Christianity Still Necessary? (19:38–24:50)

• Question: Can someone ignorant of the Gospel be saved? If so, what makes Christianity necessary?
• Dr. Broussard’s Explanation:
  • Yes, someone who has not heard the Gospel (through no fault of their own), yet sincerely seeks truth/goodness and lives according to their conscience, can be saved.
  • Salvation is still by Jesus Christ—“only through Jesus can we have access to the Father” (cf. John 14:6).
  • Those outside visible Christian communities may still receive Christ’s grace and be united to Him “mystically, invisibly.”
  • (“That individual is being saved by Jesus, but being saved outside the visible community of Christianity…") – Dr. Broussard (22:30)
• Resources Offered:
  • Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 848 and following.
  • Catholic.com keyword: “no salvation outside the Church.”
• Notable Quote:
  • “Why is Christianity necessary? Because there is no access to the Father without the Son of God made flesh, Jesus Christ.” – Dr. Karlo Broussard (20:19)

4. Caller: Sue – Journey Toward Catholicism, Spousal Fears & Church Unity (28:57–38:17)

• Situation: Evangelical fundamentalist, married to a devout Christian husband, feels drawn to convert to Catholicism after study and prayer. Their son’s suicide intensified her husband’s reluctance for further change.
• Concern: Fears “betraying” her husband and disrupting their shared ministry and family unity.
• Dr. Broussard’s Pastoral Advice:
  • Affirm Christ comes first: “Only in our love for Jesus will we be able to authentically love each other the way Christ wants us to.” (30:35)
  • Share your journey and heart first—focus the conversation on love for Jesus and the conviction that He founded the Catholic Church.
  • Becoming Catholic need not mean abandoning your shared ministries or participation in your husband’s faith journey.
  • If their evangelical community would reject her due to Catholicism, raise the question: “Why would they be exclusive of someone who loves Jesus?”
  • Encourages her not to presume her husband’s response—“You won’t know until you share your heart with him.”
• Notable Moments:
  • “My suggestion is, you won’t know until you try…don’t presume that he will not accept the movements of the Spirit in your heart.” – Dr. Broussard (35:55)
  • Moving, emotional exchange where the team offers prayers for Sue and her husband (37:42–38:17).

5. Caller: Mark – OCIA, Mixed Marriage & Sacramental Practicalities (42:56–46:47)

• Situation: Mark is in OCIA; his wife is a cradle Catholic from Nicaragua but lacks documentation of baptism, which complicates “sanctifying” (convalidating) their marriage.
• Dr. Broussard’s Practical Solution:
  • If no baptismal record exists, the church can perform a conditional baptism: “If you are not already baptized, I baptize you…”
  • This allows proper sacramental marriage without doubt or irregularity.

6. Caller: Eric – Does Changing Catholic Morality Prove It’s Not Divine? (49:26–54:57)

• Objection: Church’s moral standards evolve with culture (Jewish relations, death penalty, etc.), undermining divine authority—doesn’t this make Catholicism just another man-made religion?
• Dr. Broussard’s Response:
  • Even if popes/Church leaders err or change non-infallible teachings, it does not negate Christ’s founding of the Church—the guarantee is only on essential faith and morals.
  • Church never imputed collective guilt to all Jews for deicide.
  • Death penalty: Church’s teaching on its permissibility has not changed fundamentally, but disciplinary application can adapt based on times/cultures.
  • Overall, past misjudgments or policy changes do not disprove divine institution.
• Notable Quote:
  • “We don’t believe the leader of our church is going to be free from error in everything that he says…That wouldn’t undermine the Catholic Church being established by Jesus because Jesus makes only certain promises…” – Dr. Karlo Broussard (51:32–54:37)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “To deliberately say no to going to Mass on Sunday…is to reject the very authority of Christ.” – Dr. Karlo Broussard (07:30)
• “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.” – Dr. Karlo Broussard quoting CCC (13:08)
• “Why is Christianity necessary? Because there is no access to the Father without the Son of God made flesh, Jesus Christ.” – Dr. Karlo Broussard (20:19)
• “You won’t know until you try…Don’t presume that he will not accept the movements of the Spirit in your heart.” – Dr. Karlo Broussard (35:55)
• “We don’t believe that the leader of our church is going to be free from error in everything that he says…That wouldn’t undermine the Catholic Church being established by Jesus…” – Dr. Karlo Broussard (51:32)

Additional Memorable Moments

• Thanksgiving humor about turkey’s virtues (or lack thereof) and the eternal debate over “pecan” vs. “pecan” (00:00–05:00, 13:33–19:20).
• Chris Check drops by mid-episode to praise the charity and pastoral sensitivity of the apologists and to recount a moving prior call (16:15–18:07).
• Occasional technical difficulties and humorous confusion with phone lines, maintaining a welcoming, self-effacing tone.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:00–05:00] Thanksgiving banter; team introductions
• [07:00–11:56] "Why is missing Mass a mortal sin?" – Jonathan
• [13:33–19:20] Flavorful discussion about food and Church family
• [19:38–24:50] "Can a non-Christian be saved?" – Mustafa
• [28:57–38:17] Pastoral advice for a spouse considering Catholicism – Sue
• [42:56–46:47] Mixed marriage, baptism records, OCIA – Mark
• [49:26–54:57] “Does changing Church morality prove it’s not divine?” – Eric

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode alternates between lighthearted warmth (often around the Thanksgiving theme) and earnest, empathetic engagement with deep spiritual, theological, and practical struggles. Dr. Karlo Broussard exemplifies both rigorous apologetics and gentle pastoral care, offering clear explanations, Church references, and above all, encouragement for callers at all stages of faith.

Listeners leave with a richer understanding of:

• The Church’s theology of Sunday Mass obligation
• The doctrine on salvation for non-Christians
• How Catholicism regards unity of faith and marriage
• How to navigate Church discipline in contemporary family and faith life
• The limits of Church authority and the meaning of authentic doctrinal development

For further resources, Karlo repeatedly recommends the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and articles at Catholic.com.