How do we reconcile Tradition and Scripture when they seem to conflict?

[samanthagrace87]

Hey, so I’ve recently started really looking at the Catholic faith. I’ve been reading my bible but I came across something that doesn’t agree with the church. I’ve always been taught that Saint Joseph and Saint Mary lived a life of chastity. But then why does it say that James is Jesus brother? I’m extremely confused about this. I know that the scriptures is the final say, but why doesn’t this go along with tradition?

Thanks so much

 

[Leonie_Ambrose]

samanthagrace87,

The following links should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching on whether Jesus had siblings - from Mary and/or Joseph. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.

**Recommended Reading:
**

• Doesn’t Scripture imply that Mary had children other than Jesus?
• ** Did Jesus have brothers?**
• ** Perpetual Virginity: Why is this important?**
• ** Mary: Ever Virgin**
• ** Why should any doctrine not explicitly referred to in the Bible, be listened to?**
• ** How do you respond to “Everything you need to know is in the Bible”?**
• ** How can we know a doctrine is true if it’s not in the Bible?**
• ** How do we know that the Protoevangelium of James is credible?**
• ** Does Church Tradtion exist only to interpret Scripture?**
• ** Non-Canonical Writings…**
• ** Oral Traditions not found in the Bible**