the reproach of Christ

In a work of private theology, Joseph Ratzinger (1972) — who became Pope Benedict XVI — opined that the divorced and remarried should be admitted to Communion, in some cases, despite living with their second partner while the first valid … Continue reading →

Where Does The Authority To Elect A Pope Reside? In the body of Bishops. Currently, the College of Cardinals elects each successive Roman Pontiff. But this does not occur of necessity. The first Pope, Saint Peter, was “elected” (chosen) by … Continue reading →

1. Was St. Joseph resurrected? No. Only Jesus and the virgin Mary have received the resurrection. St. Joseph is in heaven in soul only, not in body. The Virgin Mary told Saint Bridget that there are no resurrected human bodies … Continue reading →

I recall a story told by a priest in a sermon at Mass many years ago. There was a boy who was very ill, and he had a rare blood type. Donors were scarce, and so the doctors had to … Continue reading →

What does it mean to call the Blessed Virgin Mary the Rosa Mystica? The phrase Rosa Mystica means Mystical Rose. But all true mysteries are of God. And the Virgin Mary, as the Mother of God, certain is closest to … Continue reading →

If an atheist can be saved, without converting to belief in God, this implies that believers in almost any religion can be saved, even if the religion provides no substantial help along the path of salvation (like the polytheistic religions). … Continue reading →

But not all conservatives or traditionalists have fallen into error. Consider, for example, Fr. Z.’s post rebuking a reader who said: “I UTTERLY reject Jorge Bergoglio as a false prophet of the devil”. He tells her she is in danger … Continue reading →

It is a dogma of Vatican I that each valid Roman Pontiff has the “charism” of truth and of a never-failing faith as a gift from God for the sake of our salvation: From Vatican I, Pastor Aeternus, chapter 4, … Continue reading →

The post is here: Does God will many religions?. It’s not such a simple question. The papal accusers are guilty of over-simplifying the Faith, and of dogmatizing their own speculative answers to questions. They behave as if they had the … Continue reading →

Are non-Christians often saved, even if they never convert to Christianity? Yes. The mercy and grace of God brings then into the state of grace and keeps them in it, if they love their neighbor. However, not all are saved. … Continue reading →