Author Archives: Ron Conte

Pope Francis on Economics

Posted on 15 December 2013 by Ron Conte

The recent Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis is not primarily about economics. It is called Evangelii Gaudium — The Joy of the Gospel — because it is about preaching the Gospel to the whole world. I don’t really want to … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Excuses for rejecting the teaching of Pope Francis

Posted on 12 December 2013 by Ron Conte

1. The media can’t be trusted to report what the Pope said accurately. Therefore, they claim that we can ignore any words by the Pope, reported in the media, if we disagree. This claim is an example of intellectual dishonesty. … Continue reading →

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Are Women Valid Matter for Ordination?

Posted on 11 December 2013 by Ron Conte

The Roman Catholic Magisterium infallibly teaches that Jesus did not give His Church the authority to ordain women to the priesthood: “Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains … Continue reading →

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My Predictions for the Year 2014

Posted on 8 December 2013 by Ron Conte

These are my speculative predictions for the year 2014, based on my understanding of eschatology and the signs of the times. In the Church: Pope Francis will declare that the Church has the authority to ordain women deacons. Then he … Continue reading →

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Which Religions Should be Considered True Religions?

Posted on 8 December 2013 by Ron Conte

First, I believe with all my heart and mind that Christianity is the truest form of religion and that Catholicism the truest form of Christianity. I am not debating or doubting that truth in this article. There is no truer … Continue reading →

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Pope John XXIII: “I am not infallible.”

Posted on 6 December 2013 by Ron Conte

I’ve used Google books to research the origin of a well-known, but often rephrased quote by Pope John XXIII on papal infallibility. Here is what I’ve found: In an audience before a group of Greek seminarians, Pope John XXIII said: … Continue reading →

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Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis rebukes conservative Catholics (part 8)

Posted on 6 December 2013 by Ron Conte

Quotes from the papal teaching document “Evangelii Gaudium”, with my commentary. In paragraphs 247-249, Pope Francis discusses Judaism. He asserts that the Old Covenant has never been revoked. In so many words, he presents the Jewish Faith as a true … Continue reading →

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Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis rebukes conservative Catholics (part 7)

Posted on 4 December 2013 by Ron Conte

Quotes from the papal teaching document “Evangelii Gaudium”, with my commentary. “This reminds us Christians that we are called to care for the vulnerable of the earth. But the current model, with its emphasis on success and self-reliance, does not … Continue reading →

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Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis rebukes conservative Catholics (part 6)

Posted on 2 December 2013 by Ron Conte

Quotes from the papal teaching document “Evangelii Gaudium”, with my commentary. “This is the principle of universality intrinsic to the Gospel, for the Father desires the salvation of every man and woman, and his saving plan consists in ‘gathering up … Continue reading →

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Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis rebukes conservative Catholics (part 5)

Posted on 1 December 2013 by Ron Conte

Quotes from the papal teaching document “Evangelii Gaudium”, with my commentary. Pope Francis teaches that we should have a “holy fear” when attempting to interpret or preach from Sacred Scripture, “lest we distort it.” EG 146 The Pope instructs preachers … Continue reading →

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Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis rebukes conservative Catholics (part 4)

Posted on 29 November 2013 by Ron Conte

Quotes from the papal teaching document “Evangelii Gaudium”, with my commentary. “there can be no true evangelization without the explicit proclamation of Jesus as Lord” EG 110 Pope Francis is sometimes accused of favoring a disordered type of ecumenism, that … Continue reading →

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Evangelii Gaudium: Pope Francis rebukes conservative Catholics (part 3)

Posted on 28 November 2013 by Ron Conte

Quotes from the papal teaching document “Evangelii Gaudium”, with my commentary. “New cultures are constantly being born in these vast new expanses where Christians are no longer the customary interpreters or generators of meaning. Instead, they themselves take from these … Continue reading →

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