Episode 3143: Guarding the Deposit: A Warning Against Online Errors (YouTube) - Morning Episode

in the Age of YouTube
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Book Recommendation of the Day
“The Popes: A History” by John Julius Norwich
• A comprehensive history of the papacy that includes brief accounts of early popes, including St. Anacletus.
Guarding the Deposit: A Warning Against Online Errors in the Age of YouTube
The subject of this episode is a warning that every Catholic needs to hear: Be very careful what you consume on YouTube. Not all Catholic-sounding content is Catholic in truth. In fact, much of what is presented as “Catholic teaching” online directly contradicts the dogmas and doctrines of Holy Mother Church.
Segment 1: The Modern Tower of Babel
Let’s begin with a sobering fact. YouTube has more than 2.7 billion monthly users. And within that sea of content, you'll find thousands of self-proclaimed Catholic channels some faithful, but many more dangerous.
Some common types of false or misleading content include:
• Channels promoting unapproved apparitions and private revelations as if they were doctrine.
• Protestant-Catholic hybrids who twist Marian doctrines, deny the papacy, or claim “Tradition” is just a man-made addition.
• Liberal theologians who reject the Church's moral teachings promoting contraception, abortion, or same-sex unions.
• Fake Traditionalists who promote schism, sedevacantism, or deny the validity of the Novus Ordo and Traditional authority.
• Prideful laypeople who proclaim themselves as “teachers” without any formation or submission to the Church.
This is digital Babel a confusing flood of voices claiming “truth,” while leading souls into error.
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:13–14

Segment 2: The Church Is the Teacher: Not YouTube
The Church is the divinely appointed teacher. The Magisterium made up of the Pope and the bishops in union with him alone has the authority to interpret Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
Dogma is not optional. Doctrine cannot be “reinterpreted” to fit modern sensibilities or conspiracy theories.
“The Roman Pontiff, when he speaks ex cathedra... possesses, by the divine assistance promised to him in blessed Peter, that infallibility which the Divine Redeemer willed His Church to enjoy.”
— Pastor Aeternus, Vatican I
Even lay Catholics faithful to Tradition must never act as their own magisterium.
YouTube does not confer apostolic authority.
“He who is not with the Church is not with Christ. He who wishes to be saved must cling to the Church.”
— St. Cyprian of Carthage

Segment 3: Red Flags of Heresy and Error
Here are red flags to be wary of when watching Catholic content on YouTube:
1. “I had a vision...”
Unapproved apparitions abound on YouTube. While private revelation can support public Revelation, it can never supersede or contradict the Faith. The Church is the final judge.
Example: Videos promoting "new messages from Jesus or Mary" that contradict the Church’s teaching on Divine Mercy or the Sacraments.
“It is not without reason that Christ placed upon the Church the obligation of judging revelations and manifestations, lest the faithful be led astray.”
— Pope Benedict XIV
2. “The Pope isn't the real pope…”
Sedevacantists claim the Chair of Peter has been empty since Vatican II. Others believe in antipopes. This is spiritual poison.
“Where Peter is, there is the Church. Where the Church is, there is eternal life.”
- St. Ambrose
Even when Church leaders are weak, sinful, or confusing, we must not abandon the visible structure of the Church Christ founded.
3. “The Latin Mass is the only valid Mass…”
While the Traditional Latin Mass is superior in beauty, theology, and reverence, rejecting the validity of the Novus Ordo outright leads to schism.
Be cautious of groups that mock the Sacraments or deny the efficacy of Masses offered in the Novus Ordo, especially if they imply there's no grace there.
4. “The Church was wrong for 2,000 years…”
Modernists and liberals say the Church needs to “evolve” on abortion, marriage, hell, or other infallible teachings.
“The Church of Christ never changes. Her doctrine is ever the same.”- St. Pius X, Pascendi Dominici Gregis
Segment 4: The Appeal of Online Heresy
Why do people fall for these videos?
1. They appear more passionate than your local priest.
2. They speak boldly about topics people are afraid to touch.
3. They promise secret knowledge, giving the illusion of being “awakened” or “one of the few who really see.”
This is spiritual pride. And it’s Gnosticism revived.
“Certain persons have appeared who are trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ… If anyone preach a gospel to you besides that which you have received, let him be anathema.”
— Galatians 1:6–9
Segment 5: How to Discern Faithful Catholic Content
When seeking truth online:
Ask: Is this person faithful to the Magisterium both past and present?
Ask: Do they cite the Catechism of Trent, Scripture, and Church Fathers not just “feelings” or “revelations”?
Ask: Do they promote charity and humility, or anger and division?
Avoid content that:
• Speaks against the Church’s sacramental life.
• Uses emotional manipulation or sensationalism.
• Promotes disobedience in the name of “true tradition.”
“Those who separate themselves from the Church lose the promise of salvation.”
— St. Augustine
Segment 6: Examples of Faithful Sources Online
Here are some examples of YouTube channels or organizations that generally uphold Catholic doctrine and traditional values (though discernment is always needed):
• Sensus Fidelium (Traditional content rooted in Thomism and Church Fathers)
• Fr. Ripperger / Doloran Fathers
• Institute of Christ the King / FSSP
• Michael Davies recordings (archived)
• Traditional Latin Mass organizations in communion with Rome
However, even with these sources: verify everything with Church documents.

Segment 7: A Final Word from the Saints
“All the faithful should avoid the books of heretics and all writings that contain errors against the faith.”
— Pope Innocent III
“Heresy is worse than the most terrible plague.”
— St. Thomas Aquinas
“Do not be surprised if you are ridiculed for clinging to Tradition. It is better to suffer mockery than to fall into error.”
— St. Athanasius
Segment 8: Q&A – Answering Common Questions
Q: What if someone on YouTube claims the Church is apostate and we must “break away”?
A: That’s Protestantism in disguise. Christ promised that the gates of hell would not prevail. We must remain faithful to the Church, even during storms.
Q: What if the content sounds right but feels off?
A: Use prudence. Error is often 90% truth. Always compare claims with the Catechism of the Council of Trent, encyclicals of the pre-Vatican II popes, and the writings of the saints.
Q: What if my friends or family follow false Catholic influencers?
A: Gently warn them. Share authentic Catholic resources and pray the Rosary for their return to sound doctrine. St. Paul says: “Reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:2)
Segment 9: Conclusion: Stand Firm
In the end, dear listener, you are responsible for guarding your soul. Just as you would not eat spoiled food, do not consume spoiled doctrine.
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane novelties of words and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called.”
— 1 Timothy 6:20
We live in a time of great deception. But if you cling to the truth, seek holiness, and stay within the bosom of the Church, you will not be lost.
Opening Introduction
Welcome to Tradition and Triumph, where we explore the riches of the Roman Catholic Faith through Sacred Scripture, the wisdom of the Saints, and the Sacred Liturgy handed down through the ages.
Today is Sunday, July 13, 2025, the 5th Sunday after Pentecost in the Traditional Roman Rite. As we enter more deeply into the Season after Pentecost, the Church places before us the call to interior conversion, justice, charity, and reconciliation.
Let us now listen to the appointed readings from the Holy Mass, taken from the Douay-Rheims Bible, the beloved translation of countless saints.
Epistle – 1 Peter 3:8–15
"Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, being lovers of the brotherhood, merciful, modest, humble: Not rendering evil for evil, nor railing for railing; but contrariwise, blessing: for unto this are you called, that you may inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. Let him decline from evil, and do good: let him seek after peace, and pursue it: Because the eyes of the Lord are upon the just, and His ears unto their prayers: but the countenance of the Lord upon them that do evil things. And who is he that can hurt you, if you be zealous of good? But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled. But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts."
Reflection on the Epistle
St. Peter exhorts us to embrace unity, humility, and meekness virtues utterly despised in today’s self-assertive and prideful world. He tells us to be “lovers of the brotherhood,” meaning we must desire the good of others, even our enemies. This is not merely emotional goodwill but a disposition of the will ordered to charity a fruit of sanctifying grace.
He further reminds us that peace must be pursued. Peace is not passive. It requires effort, the laying aside of pride, and control of the tongue. If we are unjustly treated, we must bless in return — this is a participation in the Cross.
To "sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts" means to set Christ apart in our hearts as the sovereign King and to remain firm in our interior devotion regardless of what the world may bring. In an age of confusion and betrayal, the Catholic is called to unwavering fidelity to the Lord.
Gospel – Matthew 5:20–24
"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: Unless your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there shalt remember that thy brother hath anything against thee: leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother, and then coming, thou shalt offer thy gift."
Reflection on the Gospel
Our Lord’s words pierce the heart. He exposes the superficiality of external religious observance that lacks inner transformation. The Pharisees followed the Law outwardly but lacked the interior justice God desires — that is, justice rooted in charity and purity of intention.
Our Lord equates unjust anger with the sin of murder. Words of contempt — “Raca” (meaning “worthless”) or “fool” — may seem small, but they reveal deep malice. The traditional teaching holds that when anger is willful and unjust, it can indeed be a mortal sin.
Our Lord’s command to reconcile before offering at the altar points to the essential nature of charity in our relationship with God. How can we approach the Holy Sacrifice while harboring bitterness or hatred? This teaching foreshadows the Sacrament of Penance. Before approaching the altar of sacrifice — before Holy Communion — we must be in a state of grace and peace.
Saint of the Day: St. Anacletus (Cletus), Pope and Martyr
According to the 1945 St. Andrew Missal, today we commemorate Pope St. Anacletus, the third successor of St. Peter. He governed the Church from around A.D. 76 to 88, ordained many priests, and established norms for Church structure in Rome. His pontificate, marked by persecution and fidelity, ended in martyrdom under Emperor Domitian. St. Anacletus reminds us that the Petrine Office so often misunderstood or abused today was founded on blood-witness and total fidelity to Christ.
Let us ask for his intercession in these days when truth is attacked, and the Church is in crisis.
Concluding Prayer
Let us close with prayer.
O God, who didst will that Thy holy Church should be founded upon the rock of St. Peter and built up by the labor and martyrdom of Thy holy Popes, such as St. Anacletus, grant us the grace to remain faithful to the true teachings handed down from the Apostles, and to live in that charity and humility which wins the peace of Christ.
Purify our hearts from anger, our lips from deceit, and our minds from pride. Strengthen us in the virtues of humility and reconciliation, that we may be worthy to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Thee.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God forever and ever. Amen.
St. Anacletus, pray for us.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Closing
Thank you for joining us today on Tradition and Triumph. May this Sunday be a time of peace, interior renewal, and deeper conformity to Christ.
Until next time — hold fast to Tradition, and run the race for the eternal crown.