Why do Catholics believe in Mary's perpetual virginity?

[Ivan_plus_five]

A friend of mine was asked why Catholics belive in Mary’s perpetual virginity. They pointed out texts referring to Jesus’ brothers. I explained the issue with language and the fact that the word “cousin” in Aramaic doesn’t exist. She advised she told them that- but that they pointed out another passage in Colossians that does use the word cousin- so that in the translation they held, both “brothers” and “cousin” was used. I just said that these are translations- not the original languages, but I don’t think she felt that answer would suffice.

Please advise how I can answer her.

 

[Leonie_Ambrose]

Ivan plus five,

The following links should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching on Mary’s perpetual virginity. 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:

• Perpetual Virginity: Why is this important?
• Mary: Ever Virgin
• Doesn’t Scripture imply that Mary had children other than Jesus?
• ** Did Jesus have brothers?**
• ** 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**