Author Archives: Ron Conte

Phil Lawler’s error on torture and intrinsic evil

Posted on 19 December 2014 by Ron Conte

Over at CatholicCulture.org, Phil Lawler has several posts condemning torture as intrinsically evil. Yes, under Roman Catholic teaching, torture is intrinsically evil. We can debate which acts fall under the proper moral definition of torture, but if an act is … Continue reading →

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Turning Infallibility Upside-down

Posted on 18 December 2014 by Ron Conte

The Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church teaches infallibly in any of three ways: 1. Papal Infallibility 2. Conciliar Infallibility 3. the ordinary and universal Magisterium The advantage of infallible teachings is that we can know the truth on important … Continue reading →

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Salvation for Little Children: common false ideas

Posted on 17 December 2014 by Ron Conte

The following false ideas are sometimes suggested when the subjection of salvation for unbaptized little children is raised. This article points out the errors and false assumptions in these claims. 1. The idea that, if aborted babies go to Heaven, … Continue reading →

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Limbo No More – the myth of permanent perfect natural happiness

Posted on 17 December 2014 by Ron Conte

Limbo as a permanent place of perfect natural happiness is no longer a tenable theological opinion. The combination of past definitive teachings of the Magisterium and recent non-infallible teachings makes that idea contrary to Church teaching. It is not an … Continue reading →

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Links to some of the best Christmas Songs

Posted on 17 December 2014 by Ron Conte

Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord (Boney M.) Hark The Herald Angels Sing (Celtic Women) The First Noël (Lady Antebellum) We Three Kings (Albright College Concert Choir) O Holy Night (Mariah Carey) Christmas Is Here/Carol of the Bells (Home Alone) I … Continue reading →

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Is Torture intrinsically evil and always gravely immoral? Part 2

Posted on 16 December 2014 by Ron Conte

Most Catholic teachers have a poor understanding of the basic principles of ethics taught by the Roman Catholic Magisterium. And the faithful in general have been poorly catechized on moral theology. As a result, much confusion prevails in discussions on … Continue reading →

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Can you become a theologian and apologist in one year?

Posted on 15 December 2014 by Ron Conte

Here’s the post at TaylorMarshall.com: Become An Expert Catholic Apologist With NSTI This Year and the NSTI webpage: New Saint Thomas Institute. Taylor’s latest post: How to Make a Catholic Theology Resolution for 2015 Overall, my impression of NSTI is … Continue reading →

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The morality of an intrinsically evil act is NOT determined by intention

Posted on 14 December 2014 by Ron Conte

This teaching of the Roman Catholic Magisterium on morality is not an open question. It is, however, a common point of misunderstanding. Unfortunately, the Church right now is plagued by false teachers who have badly misunderstood the moral teachings of … Continue reading →

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Los Angeles, CA, was originally named after the Virgin Mary

Posted on 13 December 2014 by Ron Conte

An LA Times article in 2005 discusses the city’s original name. Everyone agrees that the city was not originally called Los Angeles (“The Angels”). What was LA first called? “Some contend it was El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora de los … Continue reading →

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Yes! There is Salvation for Unbaptized Infants

Posted on 13 December 2014 by Ron Conte

My theological position in brief: 1. The universal salvific will of God necessarily implies that God makes salvation concretely available to all, in a way which is accommodated to their spiritual and material situation, even for those persons brought up … Continue reading →

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Did Pope Francis say animals go to Heaven?

Posted on 11 December 2014 by Ron Conte

No, he did not say that animals go to Heaven. Here are links to a couple of news reports on the subject: Business Insider The Guardian Animals cannot go to Heaven because they are not made in the image of … Continue reading →

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Do we pay for our father’s sins?

Posted on 10 December 2014 by Ron Conte

A reader suggested the title question, adding: “Scripture appears to contradict itself on this topic, but obviously that is not possible, so I and others must interpret some part of it incorrectly.” It’s a good question. The answer to this … Continue reading →

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