On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
Some of my Protestant friends say they believe in the Bible but Catholics don’t. Is that true?
Nope. Think about it. At Mass, we hear at least three (and on most Sundays, four) readings from the Bible. Would that happen if Sacred Scripture wasn’t at the core of Catholicism?
That said, Catholics also look to Sacred Tradition. Sacred 
Tradition includes teachings that were passed down orally, either by Jesus or inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Catechism says: “Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.”
Interpretations of Scripture and Tradition rest with the Church leadership, or Magisterium. It’s important to note that the Catechism says the Magisterium “is not superior to the Word of God, but is its servant. It teaches only what has been handed on to it. At the divine command and with the help of the Holy Spirit, it listens to this devotedly, guards it with dedication and expounds it faithfully.”
