Author Archives: Ron Conte

What is an intrinsically evil act?

Posted on 21 August 2014 by Ron Conte

When an act is intrinsically evil, it is immoral by the very nature of the chosen act. The moral nature of an act is its inherent moral meaning before God. An act is a choice; it is an exercise of … Continue reading →

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Is Torture Intrinsically Evil? Pope Francis on Just War and Torture

Posted on 18 August 2014 by Ron Conte

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Pope Francis spoke today (18 Aug 2014) to reporters about war and violence. He repeated the teaching of Jesus and His Church, that violence in defense of the innocent can be licit, including just war. “In these cases where there … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis prays for aborted babies

Posted on 17 August 2014 by Ron Conte

What does this imply? On his trip to South Korea, Pope Francis prayed for the souls of aborted babies. What might this imply, in terms of salvation theology? If aborted babies go directly to Heaven, they would not need our … Continue reading →

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Salvation for Non-Christians who know about Christianity

Posted on 17 August 2014 by Ron Conte

Suppose that a non-Christian knows about Christ, Christianity, and the Church. And to make the argument clearer, let’s further stipulate that he has what I term sufficient accurate knowledge. He knows enough about the Christian Faith to convert or at … Continue reading →

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The start of the Great Apostasy is Near

Posted on 15 August 2014 by Ron Conte

I believe that Pope Francis will initiate the great apostasy by teaching truths that are contrary to the views of many conservative Catholics: 1. the Church has the authority to ordain women (solely) to the deaconate 2. non-Catholic Christians, non-Christian … Continue reading →

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My Current Thinking on Events in the Near Future

Posted on 12 August 2014 by Ron Conte

Here’s my current thinking on events in the near future: Iran — I believe that Iran has at least one secret nuclear facility, where they are currently enriching uranium to weapon-grade purity. That is why they so readily agreed to … Continue reading →

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Catholic Moral Theology on Marital Relations

Posted on 8 August 2014 by Ron Conte

[Hebrews 13] {13:4} May marriage be honorable in every way, and may the marriage bed be immaculate. For God will judge fornicators and adulterers. The eternal moral law is universal, applying to all persons, at all times, in all places. … Continue reading →

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Why Many Believers are Uncomfortable with Global Warming

Posted on 5 August 2014 by Ron Conte

Climate science is the study of all the many combined influences on the earth’s climate. And it turns out, not surprisingly, that the human race, with over 7 billion persons on the face of the earth, has a substantial influence … Continue reading →

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The Pope Francis Rebound Effect

Posted on 4 August 2014 by Ron Conte

Pope Pius XII was conservative; he exercised Papal Infallibility (Mary’s Assumption). Pope Saint John XXIII was a liberal Pope, the founder of Vatican II. And his immediate successor, Pope Paul VI, was a conservative Pope, the author of Humanae Vitae. … Continue reading →

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Why Hell is Forever, while Purgatory is Temporary

Posted on 29 July 2014 by Ron Conte

A person who is in the state of grace (habitual grace) is someone who loves God and neighbor. Whatever sinful acts might be on that person’s conscience, he or she is essentially a loving person. The state of grace is … Continue reading →

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Eventually, Catholics will be the Outcasts of Society

Posted on 26 July 2014 by Ron Conte

You can see the beginnings of this eventuality even today. But it will be at least several generations before it becomes severe. Suppose you are a secular person, not religious at all. You accept whatever teachings society offers. Well, you … Continue reading →

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Saint Augustine on Lying

Posted on 22 July 2014 by Ron Conte

It is not true that Saint Augustine defined lying as necessarily including an intention to deceive. St. Augustine, in “On Lying”, asks whether the definition of a lie includes the intention to deceive. He leaves the question not definitively answered. … Continue reading →

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