Customer Reviews

Faith Facts: Answers to Catholic Questions

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This book is an excellent place to start when you are looking for solid answers to doctrinal questions. Faith Facts covers a wide range of topics, from birth control and the Real Presence in the Eucharist to papal authority, morality, apologetics, and more. The book is formatted in a question and answer layout with an appendix listing other resources for all of the topics covered. It is very easy to read and the answers are very thorough. The book has the Nihil Obstat and the Imprimatur. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Co-Editor Leon Suprenant is Executive Director of "Catholics United for the Faith" (CUF) and editor of "Lay Witness," a magazine for lay Catholics. Philip Gray is director of Information Services for CUF, and a professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

They state in the Preface to this 1999 book, "Faith Facts represent the most important way we inform members. They provide consise and easy-to-read answers to specific questions about the Catholic faith. They explain what the Church teaches on important issues of faith, morals, and discipline. Faith Facts also explain the reasons behind the teachings..."

Here are some quotations from the book:

"Obedience to Christ demands obedience to the Pope. There is no authority on earth who can legitimately amend decrees or judgments of the Pope. Other than God Himself, there is no authority above the Pope." (Pg. 31)
"Unfortunately, many abuses occur in the liturgy today. There are many reaons for these abuses. Some people refuse to accept the legitimate authority of the Church to establish binding norms for the liturgy... Others, because of poor formation, do not know what those guidelines are." (Pg. 41)
"The Church has always identified the Apostle John as the author of the Fourth Gospel and the beloved disciple, and this is reflected in the Church's liturgy. The universal Church celebrates the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and EVANGELIST, on December 27." (Pg. 177)
"In recent years there has been increased speculation as to whether the Church will dogmatically define Mary's role as Coredemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate. Whether the Church ultimately does so or not, we are called to 'think with the Church' and understand the rock-solid doctrine behind the titles." (Pg. 203)

I am using this book with my bible study group to learn more about specific teachings of the Catholic Church. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about the faith, yet this book has helped me better understand why we believe the way we do and where it came from in Church history. You certainly do not need a group to read this book and benefit but we have all grown in our faith and our love for the Lord. It addresses many issues including the primary ones that are often misunderstood by our protestant brothers and sisters, including the Eucharist, Papal Authority, the Communion of Saints, an explanation of the Liturgy, moral sin, marriage & family issues including the misunderstanding of birth control, chastity, Mary's role, catechesis, Sola Scriptura and even some errors and problems we have encountered. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to better understand the faith and defend it but primarily it will help you understand and love Jesus more through this gift of the Church He left to guide us toward Him.