#194 Father Stephen Gadberry - The Unconventional Priest

Father Stephen Gadberry's journey from a small farm in Arkansas to the priesthood is a story of tragedy, service, and a deep spiritual calling. It is marked by both the tragedies of his youth and the formative experiences in the Air Force that inspired his eventual path to priesthood.

Priest's Early Life: Farm in Arkansas & Tragic Car Accident at Age 8

Priest in Car Accident; Sister Critically Injured

Stephen Gadberry grew up on a family farm in the Arkansas Delta, where he was raised with a strong work ethic instilled by his German-descendant family. During his boyhood, he enjoyed the freedoms of farm life, engaging in activities like hunting and playing with Legos. His childhood was significantly affected by a tragedy at age eight when he was involved in a car accident. In the wreck, he lost his father and sister, while his other sister suffered critical injuries.

Priest's Responsibilities Increased as Mother Gave Birth To Twins

Following the tragic accident, Gadberry's responsibilities significantly increased as he supported his mother, who gave birth to twins shortly after the accident. He recalls the emotional and physical weight of carrying his siblings, which instilled in him a sense of strength and duty.

Priest Joined Air Force After High School, Worked In Logistics in Texas, Germany, Iraq

Priest's Positive Military Experience Despite Combat Dangers

Gadberry enlisted in the United States Air Force after high school, where he was stationed in different parts of the world including Texas, Germany, and Iraq, working in logistics. He warmly refers to his military service as an adventure, recounting experiences from his basic training and his deployment at Balad Airbase. Despite the underlying dangers, including daily incoming rockets and mortars, Gadberry focuses on the camaraderie and the fulfilling tasks he performed.

Military Service Inspired Priesthood Calling

His time in the military was not only a physical journey but also a spiritual one. The solitude and reflective periods during his service in Germany allowed his soul to "breathe," which led him to feel a calling to the priesthood. The calling became more imminent when, during a mass in Iraq, a man he had never met inquired if he was considering priesthood, which was in line with h ...

Catholic Sacraments' Role In Connecting To Christ

Stephen Gadberry discusses the essential nature of the Catholic sacraments in developing a physical relationship with Jesus Christ. He notably outlines the pivotal role of the Eucharist in allowing Catholics to have a physical encounter with Jesus.

Catholics Encounter Christ Physically Through Sacraments, Especially the Eucharist

Catholics, Gadberry emphasizes, encounter Christ in a tangible way through the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Gadberry mentions several sacraments of initiation, including baptism, the anointing of the sick, confirmation, and the Holy Orders of priesthood and ordination. Citing John 6's Bread of Life discourse, he underscores that Catholics believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, which they see as essential for spiritual life. He clarifies that, unlike other sacraments that are received just once, the Eucharist involves the ongoing presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine, which is why it is kept under lock and key in Catholic churches.

Priesthood Essential for Sacraments, Rooted In Apostolic Succession

The sacraments, according to Gadberry, can only be celebrated by a priest who has been ordained through a lineage dating back 2000 years. He explains the importance of apostolic succession, the direct line from the Apostles to the present-day Church, which is crucial for the validity of the priesthood and, in turn, the sacraments. Gadberry points out that all popes, dating back to Peter the Apostle, have continued this lineage and every part of the world belongs to a Catholic diocese. Ordination involves a physical aspect where a bishop lays hands on someone to ordain them as a priest, maintaining an unbroken tradition of the Church.

Priest on Purgatory and Soul Purification Before Heaven

Stephen Gadberry shares insights into the concept of purgatory but admits to the lack of detailed teachings about this intermediate state.

Purgatory Is a Timeless State of Purification Preparing Souls to See God Face-To-face

Gadberry explains that purgatory is considered a state of purification, preparing souls to meet God. However, he acknowledges that the details of purgatory's processes and experiences are not explicitly outlined in Church teaching, and purgatory isn't associated wi ...

In a podcast, Stephen Gadberry and Shawn Ryan discuss complex and sensitive issues that have emerged within the Catholic Church, underscoring challenges faced by the clergy and laity.

Priest Admits Clergy's Disobedience and Deviation From Catholic Traditions

Priest: "Evil Forces" Undermine Church Traditions

Stephen Gadberry speaks about the significant deviations from church traditions, attributing them to disobedience by priests or bishops who do what they want, as opposed to following established traditions. He mentions that Satan targets families to create chaos and undermine these traditions. Incidences of violence, infidelity, and parental failures are tied to a breakdown in family structures and, by extension, the traditions of the Church. Gadberry comments on the distortion of truth and identities, perceiving this as a manipulation by evil forces against the Church.

Priest Believes Truth Will Prevail and Church Will Overcome

Gadberry indicates that although there are "evil forces" and people acting badly within the Church, he has yet to encounter someone in the hierarchy actively trying to destroy it. He expresses belief in the resilience of the Church, referencing scripture to suggest that it will overcome these challenges and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Priest Explores Psychedelic Debate and Spiritual Implications

Priest Cautious On Endorsing Psychedelics, Cites Need for More Study

In the realm of psychedelics, Stephen Gadberry voices the need for understanding the morality and ethics of their use through more extensive study. He compares controlled use of psychedelics to a defibrillator, suggesting the potential of these substances to break psychological cycles, but he remains cautious due to the lack of conclusive studies.

Priest Recognizes Experiences, Potential Benefits, but Advises Prudence

While acknowledging the healing aspects some find in psychedelics, Gadberry emphasizes the importance of maintaining full use of one's reason and faculties when using any substance. He explores the analogy of alcohol consumption, as discussed by Thomas Aquinas, suggesting a similar perspective on psychedelics; that moderation is key. Gadberry expresses curiosity about psychedelics but advises an approach marked by caution and prudence as he awaits more definitive research.

Priest Discusses Veteran Suicide Complexities

Priest Acknowledges Suicide's Pain and Its Impact on Loved Ones

Addressing the complexities of veteran suicide, Gadberry underlines the tremendous pain suicide inflicts o ...