Author Archives: Ron Conte

Difficult Bible Passages – the Nephilim or Giants of Genesis 6:4

Posted on 29 May 2014 by Ron Conte

Who are the Nephilim or Giants mentioned in Genesis? [Genesis 6] {6:1} And when men began to be multiplied upon the earth, and daughters were born to them, {6:2} the sons of God, seeing that the daughters of men were … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis Poll: Saint or Imposter?

Posted on 28 May 2014 by Ron Conte

My poll on Pope Francis, asking if he is a living Saint, has had surprising results. More than half of respondents think he is a Saint. That is a larger percentage than I expected, given that his papacy is controversial … Continue reading →

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Most Catholics should not receive Holy Communion

Posted on 27 May 2014 by Ron Conte

In accordance with conscience, formed in the light of the teachings of Jesus and His Church, which persons should NOT be receiving holy Communion? This post is not on the topic of who may or may not receive Communion according … Continue reading →

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Difficult Bible Passages – King Saul’s age: 1 Samuel 13:1

Posted on 26 May 2014 by Ron Conte

This verse is often mistranslated. The text clearly states that Saul was, in some sense, one year old when he first began to reign as king of Israel. [1 Samuel 13] {13:1} Filius unius anni erat Saul cum regnare cœpisset, … Continue reading →

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Difficult Bible Passages – liable to judgment: Mt 5:20-22

Posted on 25 May 2014 by Ron Conte

This post is the first in a series: Roman Catholic commentary on difficult Bible passages, based on my translation of the Bible from the Latin Vulgate (the Catholic Public Domain Version or CPDV). [Matthew] {5:20} For I say to you, … Continue reading →

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After the Warning illuminates our consciences…

Posted on 24 May 2014 by Ron Conte

What will happen after the Warning of Garabandal (which is the same as the first secret of Medjugorje)? Repentant persons will be many, and they will be in great spiritual and emotional distress. Catholics will flock to the confessional in … Continue reading →

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Are Half of all Catholic Marriages Invalid?

Posted on 20 May 2014 by Ron Conte

In this interview, Cardinal Kasper states that Pope Francis once said that perhaps as many as 50% of all Catholic marriages are invalid. How should we understand this assertion? First, we don’t know the context of the assertion by the … Continue reading →

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Should the Church allow Priests to Marry?

Posted on 19 May 2014 by Ron Conte

The Roman Catholic Church already permits some married men to become priests. But priests are not permitted to marry, subsequent to priestly ordination, unless they undergo laicization (essentially, leaving the active priestly life). This distinction is important. The Church has … Continue reading →

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Can Computers Ever Become Sentient?

Posted on 14 May 2014 by Ron Conte

The question has theological implications. In the Christian view, human beings are persons, having free will and the ability to reason abstractly, precisely because God has gifted each of us with an immortal soul. A person has sentience, also called … Continue reading →

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The Miraculous Healings of Jesus — Then and Now

Posted on 12 May 2014 by Ron Conte

Jesus healed many persons, all of them sinners. But He did not heal persons unrepentant from grave sin. He did not heal the unrepentant Pharisees and Herodians. As for those He did heal, they were still mortal sinners, able to … Continue reading →

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Redistribution of Wealth: Good vs. Bad

Posted on 10 May 2014 by Ron Conte

Pope Francis spoke before a UN delegation on “the legitimate redistribution of economic benefits by the state, as well as indispensable cooperation between the private sector and civil society.” (Foxnews) Conservative commentators have been criticizing this comment. Some have said … Continue reading →

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HGTV Pilot by Devout Christians Cancelled

Posted on 8 May 2014 by Ron Conte

Here’s the news story: https://tv.yahoo.com/news/hgtv-cancels-pilot-anti-gay-hosts-following-fan-205000195.html. Of which scandalous misdeeds are these devout Christian brothers guilty? They “have a history of supporting their Church’s views against gay rights and reproductive choice. In 2012, the Benhams [David and Jason] rallied in Charlotte, … Continue reading →

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