I’m opening this post to questions on any topic in theology, or my writings, or eschatology. I’ll take questions through the coming weekend.
As always, any question that sincerely seeks an answer on a matter of faith, morals, or salvation is welcome. Argumentative questions are not. If you think that you already know the answer to your own question, don’t ask.
the reproach of Christ 
Ron,
I have watched some ghosts shows where a so called medium can recall horrifying events that occured in the house many years ago. The current owners claim the house is haunted. The medium actually has them bless the house with salts or water. This appears to calm or remove the haunting. Also the research later shows the psychic or medium is very accurate with describing the so called ghosts in the house. These so called ghosts are ones murdered or who died tragically in the house many years ago. If these are fallen angels conveying to the medium these tragic events, why would these fallen angels stay in that house for many many decades and then share the information? Or, how would a fallen angel give her this type of information that just came to the house? Or are they truly ghosts of the deceased? These shows may just be staged and only for entertainment. What does the Catholic Church teach about ghosts and hauntings of a house?
There’s no particular teaching on that point.
What seems to be a ghost of a deceased person could be a soul from Purgatory, allowed by God to manifest himself or herself to the living. Mary said at Medjugorje: There are in Purgatory, souls who pray ardently to God, but for whom no relative or friend prays on earth. God makes them benefit from the prayers of other people. It happens that God permits them to manifest themselves in different ways, close to their relatives on earth, in order to remind men of the existence of Purgatory and to solicit their prayers to come close to God who is just, but good.
In other cases, an apparent ghost could be a fallen angel pretending to be a deceased soul. Who knows what motivates these wicked angels to do one thing or another. It is not a good idea to give much consideration to what fallen angels do and what their motivations may be.
Ron,
I’ve seen theologians grapple unsuccessfully with the question of why Satan was cast down to the earth after being thrown out of the heavens after the war with St Michael and the angels. Why, do you think, was he cast onto the earth rather than straight into hell? Was the Fall and original sin partly to blame, perhaps?
Thanks,
Shane
I’ve written a post to answer your question here:
https://ronconte.wordpress.com/2013/08/10/the-fall-of-the-angels-and-the-battle-with-michael/
I have read a blog that claims that Russia, China and Iran will create a alliance to attack Israeli in a end time scenario with the west i.e. USA, Western Europe and allies defending and Putin portrayed as the anti-christ. How does this line up with the Catholic teaching and your own learning. My own understanding from world politics is that this is possible.
That scenario will not happen. It is not in agreement with anything in Catholic eschatology. Of course, Putin is not the antichrist. The Antichrist does not arrive for a few more centuries.
Hi Ronald,
What is your take on Poem of the man God?
Thank you and Many Blessings,
-Frank
It’s clearly a false private revelation. See my article.
Last fall, our new parish administrator (priest) scheduled an albeit tasteful liturgical dance at the altar for Sunday Mass, which had never occurred before at our parish. My objections were brushed off. The diocese was not interested– apparently this happens in its other parishes. Soon afterwards, again at a Sunday Mass, he announced from the pulpit that one should be able to marry anyone they want. (interestingly, he fell ill that day – not to worry, the deacon read his notes verbatim at Communion services that replaced the other Masses that day.) As the sponsor of an RCIA candidate, this forced me into a position I did not like to be in. The deacon (25 year veteran) had also told this married candidate that they could choose to be “open to life” in any number of different ways.
The diocese’ advice on the dancing had been to “take it up with the priest.” The bishop’s personal assistant happens to belong to our parish, so I’m sure it is known that heresy was preached. Now this very same priest has just disbanded the lay RCIA committee and will be teaching the candidates himself (he has a teaching background). However, the six-fold increase in the number of candidates this fall appears directly connected to this his popularity, due to a gregarious personality or to his erroneous teaching or both. So my “theological question” concerns the censure and discipline of priests. It seems if the Church is a hierarchy, there would be some leadership from the top concerning this, as you can see how easily the damage can be spread. We have also heard from the pulpit about “resisting divisiveness.”
It is a heresy to say that one should be able to marry anyone (meaning persons of the same gender). The idea of being “open to life” in different ways, I suppose implies the same point, to try to support same sex marriage. The Church is very clear on condemning same-sex marriage. Jesus was very clear that marriage is only between a man and a woman.
But all the leaders of the Church are fallen sinners, so often a priest is not corrected when he should be. This causes much harm among the faithful. I don’t see what you can do about this, except to make certain that your candidate for RCIA understands the correct teaching on marriage.
Ron,
Pedro Regis – Message of Our Lady, delivered on June 4, 2013 transmitted in 04/06/2013
“Dear children, bend your knees in prayer. A decision will be made and there will be great confusion in the palace (the Vatican). I am your Sorrowful Mother and I suffer because of what is coming for you. Remain firm in the faith. Stay with Jesus. Love and defend the Church. Whatever happens, do not forget: God above all. You still have long years of difficult trials…
What do you think is this decision that will cause great confusion in the Vatican?
Perhaps a teaching of Pope Francis on some controversial topic, that will divide the bishops.
Ron
What is the name of St. Joseph’s mother please?
Can you supply any scriptural references to it?
Thank you.
I don’t know of any reference giving the name of Saint Joseph’s mother. Here is what Blessed Emmerich says about Joseph’s descent:
Joachim was far from handsome. St. Joseph, though no longer young, was in
comparison a very handsome man. Joachim was short and broad and at the same time thin,
and though he was a wonderfully pious, holy man, I can’t help laughing when I think of his
appearance. Joachim was poor. He was related to St. Joseph in the following way: Joseph’s
grandfather was descended from David through Solomon and was called Mathan. He had
two sons, Jacob and Joses. Jacob was the father of Joseph. When Mathan died, his widow
married as her second husband Levi (descended from David through Nathan), and by him
had Matthat, the father of Heli, also called Joachim.