Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT

Does Suicide Mean Hell?, What's Jesus's Most Important Question? Listener Questions!

Since the mailbag was getting fuller than Santa’s sack of gifts, we thought Bishop Caggiano should answer some listener questions. Among them are some serious ones, like:
 
…can someone who has committed suicide still go to Heaven?
…why do priests wear different colored vestments throughout the year?
…what was the most important question that Jesus asked in the Gospels?
 
And there were a couple that were more my speed, like: What is your favorite scary movie?
 
Yeah, I can answer that! Good thing we have the bishop for the toughies. 
 
Pax Christi,
Steve Lee
 

Are the Catholic & Orthodox Churches Reuniting?

Blessed Advent to you!
Pope Leo XIV just wrapped up a visit to Turkey & Lebanon. Bishop Caggiano reflects on the trip and the Holy Father's meetings with Orthodox patriarchs.
 
Is there hope for reconciliation and reunion with the Orthodox Churches? What is the history of the split, and what are the main points of disagreement? All of that is on this week's Let Me Be Frank.
 
Also... this is pledge drive week for Veritas. We are a listener-funded apostolate, and we depend on you to keep us going and growing... so we take two weeks every year to raise money for the other 50 weeks of the year. Please go online to make your gift and partner with us, or you can call in and talk to us! The number is (440) VERITAS or (440) 837-4827
 
NOTES
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Thanksgiving Traditions and Memories

Happy Thanksgiving!
St Gianna Beretta Molla said that "the secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what He is sending us every day in His goodness." 
That is a key to living a fulfilled life, and Bishop Caggiano reflects on gratitude before we talk about Thanksgiving... a history of the holiday, plus stories from Thanksgivings past for Bishop and for me.
We had some fun walking down memory lane, as well as sharing what we each are grateful for this year. Enjoy!
 

A Closer Look at the USCCB's Immigration Statement

Some folks today hear the word "immigration" and immediately take sides and prepare for a fight... But the conference of US bishops, at their fall meeting, issued a comprehensive and balanced "Special Pastoral Message" with near unanimous unity... on immigration - looking at human dignity and the orderly regulation of borders.
Bishop Caggiano walks us through the important statement by the USCCB on Let Me Be Frank, and he also gives us a look at the history and function of the conference itself.
Bishop stresses that we need to be able to dialogue about things like immigration, in order to come up with realistic solutions that protect both human lives and a nation's borders.
So I ask you to please listen to, or watch, the entire conversation before you form your opinion of the USCCB's statement.
Pax Christi,
Steve Lee
LINKS
The Statement: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/us-bishops-issue-special-message-immigration-plenary-assembly-baltimore
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The Tangent: https://www.youtube.com/@thetangentonveritas
Daily Gospel Reflections: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyCatholicReflections
 

Whether God Exists, Traditionis Custodes, and Pope Leo XIV - Answering Student Questions

Bishop Caggiano & Steve visited the campus of the school where Steve is known as “Coach”. They opened the floor to all the students of Cardinal Kung Academ so they could ask the Bishop whatever is on their minds and in their hearts. And we got some excellent questions, like: 
 
…how can young people discern their vocations?
…what is the Church’s actual teaching about the death penalty?
…do our pets go to Heaven?
…what do you think is the most important thing we should be praying for right now?
…what’s the best way to make a taco?
 
And wait until you hear the rest of the questions! Definitely tune in to see Bishop Caggiano’s wonderful conversation with these excellent high school students.
 
LINKS 
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Let Me Be Frank is made possible in large part due to listener support, if you'd like to help keep Let Me Be Frank and other Veritas Programs on the air, you can help support of Veritas at: https://www.veritascatholic.com/donate
 
 

Following in the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul: How to Evangelize

Bishop Frank Caggiano & Steve Lee discuss during this episode of Let Me Be Frank, Bishop Caggiano's recent pilgrimage to Greece, where he followed in the footsteps of St. Paul, as well as the life of St. Paul itself. Ultimately, they focus not only on the biographical info of his life, but the messages and lessons found along Paul's Journey detailed in the New Testament.
Let Me Be Frank is a production of Veritas Catholic Network in collaboration with the Diocese of Bridgeport. Let Me Be Frank is Bishop Caggiano's weekly podcast where he can reach you and help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Shownotes
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Other Veritas Shows
The Tangent: https://thetangent.podbean.com/
Daily Gospel Reflections: https://dailycatholicreflection.podbean.com/
The Frontline With Joe & Joe: https://thefrontlinewithjoeandjoe.podbean.com/
Restless Catholic Young Adults: https://restlesscatholicmedia.podbean.com/
 

The Power of Accompaniment in Faith, Deacon Tim Bolton's Powerful Testimony.

In this episode of 'Let Me Be Frank', Bishop Frank Caggiano and Deacon Tim Bolton discuss the ministry of accompaniment, exploring its significance in the church and the personal journeys that shape their understanding of faith. Deacon Tim shares his life experiences, including the challenges he faced with his daughter and late wife, which deepened his faith and understanding of active love. The conversation emphasizes the importance of being present for others, the role of spiritual friendships, and the need for community support in ministry. They also introduce the Pastoral Companions initiative aimed at empowering laypeople to engage in accompaniment, highlighting the transformative power of love and presence in the lives of those in need.
LINKS 
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction03:03 Deacon Tim Bolton's Journey of Faith05:57 The Impact of Personal Challenges on Faith08:47 Understanding Accompaniment12:02 The Essence of Active Love15:01 Overcoming Barriers to Accompaniment18:10 The Role of Spiritual Friendship21:04 Pastoral Companions Initiative24:10 The Importance of Community in Ministry27:03 Engaging with the Disenfranchised29:48 The Healing Power of Presence33:06 The Need for Emotional Support in Ministry36:01 The Future of Accompaniment in the Church39:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

Catholic Bio-Ethicist on IVF & Adopting Frozen Embryos

There are hundreds of thousands of frozen embryos -tiny, frozen babies- in the world today. What to do with all of these human lives?
Catholic bioethicist Elizabeth Rex joins Bishop Caggiano to talk about this question, as well as:
...why is contraception immoral?
...what would Bishop Caggiano say to a cohabiting unmarried couple?
...what is IVF and what does the Church teach about it?
For any couples who are looking to adopt, Dr. Rex points to Snowflakes Embryo Adoption and the National Embryo Donation Center. More information is at the Donum Vitae Institute. 
LINKS
Snowflakes Embryo Adoption: https://nightlight.org/snowflakes-embryo-adoption-donation/embryo-adoption/
National Embryo Donation Center: https://www.embryodonation.org/
Donum Vitae Institute: https://donumvitaeinstitute.org/
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