Hot Topics for 21st-Century Catholics: Understanding and Defending Church Teaching

"There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be." — Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

In an age of rapid information and cultural shifts, many Catholics struggle to articulate and defend the teachings of the Church. According to studies, a growing number of Catholics either misunderstand or outright reject fundamental Church teachings, often due to a lack of catechesis and cultural influences. This article explores six critical topics where misconceptions abound, supported by statistics and historical context.

The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, yet many Catholics today fail to recognize its true significance. The 2019 Pew Research Study revealed that nearly seven in ten Catholics believe the Eucharist is merely symbolic, contradicting Christ’s own words in John 6:51-58, where He proclaims, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life." This widespread misunderstanding stems from a lack of catechesis and diminished reverence of and for the Eucharist, where many receive the Eucharist without proper preparation or awareness of the Church’s teaching on being in a state of grace. Without a firm belief in transubstantiation, the spiritual power of the Eucharist is lost in the hearts of many, weakening their relationship with Christ.

To restore faith in the Real Presence, Catholics can look to the example of the saints and Doctors of the Church, who emphasized the Eucharist as the center of their lives. St. Thomas Aquinas, in his great work Summa Theologica, explained transubstantiation with profound clarity, affirming that Christ is present “not in a figurative sense, but truly, really, and substantially.” St. John Vianney once said, "If we truly understood the Mass, we would die of joy." His deep devotion led him to spend hours in Eucharistic Adoration, drawing thousands to conversion. St. Teresa of Avila urged Catholics to approach the Eucharist with reverence and awe, recognizing it as the greatest treasure on earth. Following their example, parishes must prioritize stronger catechesis on the Eucharist, encourage Eucharistic Adoration, and reverence in the liturgy to help Catholics rediscover the transformative power of the Blessed Sacrament.

Catholic Parents Failing to Catechize Their Children

Many Catholic parents today mistakenly believe that faith formation is solely the responsibility of priests, deacons, catechists, and Catholic schools, rather than a duty entrusted to them by God. However, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2221-2231) teaches that parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, a responsibility reinforced in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, which commands parents to teach their children about God in every aspect of daily life. Despite this, statistics reveal a crisis in Catholic parenting—only 17% of Catholic parents attend Mass weekly, and 60% of Catholic youth abandon the faith by age 22. Many parents feel unequipped to teach their children, resulting in a generation disconnected from the Church. If the home ceases to be a place of faith, children grow up seeing religion as an obligation rather than a personal relationship with God.

The saints and Doctors of the Church provide a powerful example of how parents can reclaim their role as the first catechists of their children. St. Monica, through her relentless prayers and witness of faith, led her once-wayward son, St. Augustine, to conversion and sainthood. St. John Chrysostom taught that parents must shape their children’s souls before the world does, stating, “What greater work is there than training the mind and forming the habits of the young?” St. Louis Martin and St. Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, made faith the heart of their home, integrating prayer, frequent Mass, and devotion into family life. Today, parishes must equip parents with resources to fulfill their sacred duty, but more importantly, families must prioritize Mass, prayer, and religious discussions in their daily lives. By following the example of the saints, Catholic parents can raise children deeply rooted in the faith, ensuring that their love for Christ is not just taught but lived.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and the Dignity of Human Life

The dignity of human life is at the core of Catholic teaching, yet modern reproductive technologies like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) directly contradict this principle. While couples facing infertility may understandably desire children, the Church opposes IVF because it separates the procreative and unitive aspects of marriage, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2376-2377). Furthermore, IVF often results in the destruction, freezing, or experimentation on embryos, treating human life as a commodity rather than a sacred gift. Since the birth of the first IVF baby in 1978, over 8 million babies have been conceived through this process, yet an estimated 1.7 million embryos have been discarded or abandoned in the U.S. alone. Science itself defines life as beginning at conception, as a new, unique human organism with its own DNA is formed at fertilization. If life is present at conception, then the discarding of embryos in IVF is no different than abortion—it is the destruction of human life. NaProTECHNOLOGY, a Church-approved alternative, works with a woman's natural fertility to achieve pregnancy while respecting the sanctity of life. Catholics must be educated on ethical fertility treatments and advocate for the dignity of embryonic life rather than turning to morally illicit methods.

Similarly, the widespread acceptance of contraception has led to a rejection of the Church’s teaching on human life and marriage. Until 1930, all Christian denominations opposed birth control, recognizing that human life begins at conception. Pope Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae (1968) prophetically warned that contraception would lead to an increase in infidelity, objectification of women, and moral decline—all of which have become reality. Today, 98% of self-identified Catholic women have used contraception at some point, and since its widespread acceptance, the divorce rate has doubled. There isn't a widely cited statistic specifically for self-identified Catholic men who have used contraception. However, studies indicate that contraceptive use is common among Catholic couples in general.

For example, the 2011 Guttmacher Institute study found that ~98% of sexually active Catholic women had used some form of contraception at some point. While this statistic specifically refers to women, it suggests a similar trend among Catholic men, as contraception use typically involves both partners. Additionally, a Pew Research study found that the majority of U.S. Catholics (including men and women) believe contraception is morally acceptable, indicating widespread use

Contraception separates the procreative purpose of marital intimacy from its unitive aspect, reducing the gift of life to a choice rather than a natural consequence of love. Many Catholics remain unaware of Natural Family Planning (NFP), a morally acceptable alternative that respects the dignity of both spouses and fosters deeper communication and trust. To combat the culture of contraception, the Church must teach the wisdom of Humanae Vitae and promote the spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits of NFP as a path toward authentic love and respect for human life.

The LGBTQ+ Movement and Catholic Moral Teaching

In today's culture, many believe that the Catholic Church is hateful and bigoted toward those with same-sex attraction. However, the Church makes a clear distinction between a person’s dignity and their actions. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2357-2359) teaches that all people, regardless of their attractions, are called to live in chastity, compassion, and love. The Church does not condemn individuals but upholds God’s design for marriage—a sacramental union between a man and a woman, ordered toward procreation and the good of the spouses. Despite this, 46% of Catholics now support same-sex marriage, up from 35% in 2001, reflecting a growing misunderstanding of Church teaching. Many Catholics struggle to reconcile the call to love all people with the truth about human sexuality, often believing they must choose between love or doctrine, when in reality, true love requires truth.

The saints provide profound examples of how to uphold truth with love. St. Charles Lwanga, an African martyr, resisted the sexual advances of a powerful ruler while remaining steadfast in his faith, proving that chastity is possible even in great trials. St. Francis de Sales, known for his gentleness, taught that charity must guide all interactions, reminding us that “nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.” St. John Paul II, in his Theology of the Body, emphasized that every person is created in the image of God and is called to a life of holiness, no matter their struggles. Following their example, Catholics must learn to lovingly and truthfully articulate the Church’s teaching, showing that chastity is not repression but freedom, and that God's design for marriage is not about exclusion but about the flourishing of human love. By embracing both love and truth, Catholics can offer a witness of authentic compassion that leads others to Christ.

The Loss of the Sense of Sin and the Decline in Confession

Many Catholics today believe that Confession is unnecessary, assuming that God forgives sins without the need for a priest. However, this contradicts John 20:23, where Jesus gives His apostles the authority to forgive or retain sins, establishing the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1457) teaches that Confession is necessary for the forgiveness of mortal sins, which separate us from God. Despite this, 75% of U.S. Catholics rarely or never go to Confession, reflecting a broader crisis—many no longer believe in mortal sin or its eternal consequences. This decline in Confession is also linked to decreasing Mass attendance and moral relativism, as people lose sight of the need for repentance and conversion. Without Confession, the soul remains burdened, missing out on the grace that restores it to God.

The saints understood the power of Confession and its necessity for spiritual growth. St. Padre Pio, who spent up to 16 hours a day hearing Confessions, called it “the soul’s bath” and warned, “The devil wants to keep souls from Confession more than anything else.” St. John Vianney, known for his gift of reading souls, brought thousands back to Christ through this sacrament, proving that frequent Confession leads to holiness. St. Teresa of Avila emphasized the need for self-examination, stating, “Our soul may be in mortal sin, and we are not even aware of it.” To restore the sense of sin, parishes must prioritize catechesis on the reality of sin and grace, and Catholics should be encouraged to receive Confession frequently. Only through true repentance can we fully embrace God’s mercy and walk the path of holiness.

Ordination of Women

The question of women’s ordination—to the priesthood—has been definitively settled by the Church based on Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the constant teaching of the Magisterium. Pope St. John Paul II, in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (1994), declared infallibly that the Church has “no authority whatsoever” to ordain women to the priesthood, reaffirming that this teaching is not a matter of discipline but a divine constitution established by Christ Himself. This doctrine is rooted in Christ’s example, who chose only men as His apostles, despite living in a time when priestesses existed in pagan religions. Furthermore, the Council of Nicaea (325) and the Council of Laodicea (363-364) both explicitly forbade the ordination of women, recognizing that the sacrament of Holy Orders is not merely a human role but a sacramental participation in the headship of Christ. The Church has always upheld that a priest acts in persona Christi Capitis (in the person of Christ the Head), meaning the priest represents Christ as the Bridegroom to the Church, His Bride. Since the priest’s role is inseparably linked to Christ’s spousal relationship with the Church, a male priesthood is essential to the sacramental reality.

One of the main arguments for women’s ordination to the diaconate stems from references to deaconesses in the early Church. However, historical and theological evidence demonstrates that these women were not ordained to Holy Orders but rather appointed for specific non-sacramental roles, such as assisting with the baptism of women. The Council of Nicaea (Canon 19) clarified that deaconesses were not ordained but received a form of blessing, distinguishing them from the sacramental diaconate. Theologically, the three degrees of Holy Orders—bishop, priest, and deacon—are intrinsically linked. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1554) teaches that the diaconate is not an isolated ministry but is part of the one Sacrament of Holy Orders, which is reserved to men. Since the priesthood and episcopacy are closed to women by divine law, and the diaconate is part of the same sacramental structure, the ordination of women as deacons is theologically impossible. Any attempt to ordain women as deacons would either be a new, non-sacramental ministry (which would not be the same as the male diaconate) or an invalid attempt at sacramental ordination.

The Church’s teaching on the all-male priesthood is not a matter of discrimination but of fidelity to Christ’s will. The role of women in the Church is essential and irreplaceable, as seen in the powerful witness of saints like St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who transformed the Church without ordination. Pope St. Paul VI reaffirmed that the greatest among those born of women was not an apostle but the Blessed Virgin Mary, who held a higher dignity than all the apostles combined, yet was not called to the priesthood. The Church does not possess the authority to change what Christ Himself instituted, and attempts to do so would not lead to progress but to rupture. Rather than seeking ordination, women are called to embrace their unique and irreplaceable roles in the Church’s mission, reflecting the Marian dimension of the Church, which complements and sustains the Petrine ministry of ordained men.

The lack of understanding and catechesis in these areas has contributed to a crisis in faith among Catholics. Archbishop Sheen’s words ring truer than ever—most people reject the Catholic Church not because of what she actually teaches, but because they misunderstand her teachings.

In an age of confusion and moral relativism, priests, deacons, catechists, and especially parents must boldly and clearly teach the truths of the Catholic faith. The widespread misunderstandings surrounding the Eucharist, Confession, moral teachings on life and sexuality, and the nature of Holy Orders demonstrate the urgent need for better catechesis. Every Catholic has a responsibility to study, defend, and live out their faith with both knowledge and charity, ensuring that the next generation does not fall prey to the errors of secular culture. The Church must renew its commitment to fostering a deep love for truth and holiness, not by conforming to the world’s expectations, but by remaining faithful to Christ’s teachings.

This renewal begins with a return to the sacraments, Scripture, and authentic Church Tradition. Catholics must once again recognize and more importantly BELIEVE the Eucharist is the Real Presence of Christ, Confession is a necessary means of grace, and God’s design for human life, marriage, and the priesthood as unchangeable truths. The saints and Church Fathers show us that holiness and courage are needed to stand against cultural pressures. By embracing this mission with conviction and love, the Church remains a beacon of truth, drawing souls to Christ and restoring faith in a world that desperately needs it.

“The truth will set you free.” — John 8:32

God Bless