Author Archives: Ron Conte

Catholic Moral Theology: the Marriage Debt

Posted on 16 January 2018 by Ron Conte

The marriage debt is the mutual obligation that the spouses have, within a valid marriage (natural or supernatural) to have marital relations. The term is based on an Epistle of St. Paul in the New Testament: [1 Corinthians 7] {7:1} … Continue reading →

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Reply to Dr. Ed Peters on the dogmas of the Council of Trent

Posted on 15 January 2018 by Ron Conte

Dr. Peters’ new post emphasizes the main point of the previous post, that a ratum et consummatum marriage, that is, a consummated Christian Sacrament of Matrimony, is not dissoluble except by death. True, but the problems with his previous post … Continue reading →

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On the Never-failing Faith of Each Pope

Posted on 15 January 2018 by Ron Conte

The First Vatican Council infallibly taught the following. “For the holy Spirit was promised to the successors of Peter not so that they might, by his revelation, make known some new doctrine, but that, by his assistance, they might religiously … Continue reading →

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Who is and is not a Theologian?

Posted on 14 January 2018 by Ron Conte

Who is? Here is the definition that I propose for the term “theologian”: A theologian is a person who writes theology on a continuing basis. And that writing is an expression of serious study and reflection. A theologian seeks a … Continue reading →

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Why Pope Francis gave an award to Lilianne Ploumen

Posted on 13 January 2018 by Ron Conte

Lilianne Ploumen, in her role as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation in the Netherlands, has worked to oppose the forced marriages of minors: “Forcing teenagers to marriage is an abuse.” [Vatican.va]. She was part of a panel on … Continue reading →

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News Story: a Parish Fires Three Musicians

Posted on 12 January 2018 by Ron Conte

Here’s the article: Rural Minnesota Catholic parish dismisses musicians over gay marriages. The new pastor, Fr. Drees, fired three male musicians who served at the parish. Two of the men are married to each other. The third man, Bob Bernard, … Continue reading →

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Dr. Ed Peters: his heresy on the Dissolubility of Marriage

Posted on 11 January 2018 by Ron Conte

UPDATE: Dr. Peters has now responded to my post by writing a new article on the topic on January 15th, 2018: Is the Petrine Privilege an exception to Church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage?. I’ll consider its assertions and … Continue reading →

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Dr. Ed Peters’ heretical position on Contraception

Posted on 10 January 2018 by Ron Conte

There is more than one way to assert a heresy. The simplest way is to directly contradict an infallible magisterial teaching. But another way is to substantially distort an infallible magisterial teaching. That latter form of heresy is what I’m … Continue reading →

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Wherein Fr. Z. derides and maligns Stephen Walford for defending the Vicar of Christ

Posted on 8 January 2018 by Ron Conte

Stephen Walford is a devout Roman Catholic and the author of two books so far: Heralds of the Second Coming: Our Lady, the Divine Mercy, and the Popes of the Marian Era from Blessed Pius IX to Benedict XVI and … Continue reading →

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Communion Discipline for the Orthodox shows the wisdom of Amoris Laetitia

Posted on 7 January 2018 by Ron Conte

The following article was written at my request by reader Marco, based on his excellent comments about Amoris Laetitia in other posts. Many claim that allowing the divorced and remarried to receive Communion would go against Divine Law. They claim … Continue reading →

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Can a Fallen Human Person be Saved except by Baptism?

Posted on 2 January 2018 by Ron Conte

There are three types of baptism: 1. The formal Sacrament of Baptism with water. 2. A baptism of desire. 3. A baptism of blood. Is it possible for a fallen human person, that is, someone who is conceived with original … Continue reading →

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Untenable Theories on Adam and Eve

Posted on 1 January 2018 by Ron Conte

There are several theories on Adam and Eve, held and promoted by various Catholics (mostly online), which are contrary to, or substantially incompatible with, definitive magisterial teaching. But let’s begin with what we must believe, as faithful Catholic Christians, about … Continue reading →

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