Author Archives: Ron Conte

Misunderstandings on the Principle of Double Effect

Posted on 25 February 2011 by Ron Conte

1. The principle of double effect must be understood in the light of the teachings of the Magisterium on the general principles that apply to all morality. One common error is to state the principle of double effect only as … Continue reading →

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Archduke Ferdinand Zvonimir: the great Catholic monarch

Posted on 24 February 2011 by Ron Conte

The great Catholic monarch is a figure prophesied by many different Saints and mystics. Saint Hippolytus of Rome, Saint Methodius, Saint Cataldus, Saint Remigius, Saint Caesar of Arles, Blessed Rabanus Maurus, Saint Thomas Becket, Saint Hildegard, ‘Blessed’ Joachim of Flora, … Continue reading →

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When is the Pope infallible?

Posted on 24 February 2011 by Ron Conte

The First Vatican Council infallibly defined the dogma of papal infallibility. The Second Vatican Council reiterated that same dogma with different wording, making the teaching all the more clear. For a lengthy discussion of this topic, see my articles on … Continue reading →

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What does Sacred Scripture say about the morality of lying?

Posted on 23 February 2011 by Ron Conte

I hesitated before writing and posting this article, because I know that theological arguments based on Sacred Scripture are widely ridiculed by many Catholics. If an argument from the Bible displeases them, they simply claim that other interpretations are possible. … Continue reading →

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Doctrine versus Dogma

Posted on 23 February 2011 by Ron Conte

A doctrine is a teaching of the Magisterium. A dogma is an infallible teaching of the Magisterium. A dogma is an infallible doctrine. All dogmas are doctrines; not all doctrines are dogmas. The Magisterium teaches infallibly in any of three … Continue reading →

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Marital sexual ethics, reply to objections 1

Posted on 22 February 2011 by Ron Conte

The next series of posts will discuss objections to the teaching on marital sexual ethics found in this article: Unnatural sexual acts as marital foreplay There are many common objections, each of which is easily refuted. None of these objections … Continue reading →

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Unnatural sexual acts as marital foreplay

Posted on 20 February 2011 by Ron Conte

See my book: Roman Catholic Marital Sexual Ethics for more on this topic and on other topics in sexual ethics. Question — Are unnatural sexual acts moral to use as foreplay, prior to an act of natural marital relations open … Continue reading →

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On lying, intrinsic evil, and moral intuition (reply to Peter Kreeft)

Posted on 19 February 2011 by Ron Conte

In a recent article, Dr. Peter Kreeft discusses lying and moral intuition. He suggests using the method of moral intuition to determine if an act, such as lying, is moral or immoral. The first problem with his argument is that … Continue reading →

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Why is the morality of lying important?

Posted on 19 February 2011 by Ron Conte

I’ve written several long posts on the topic of lying, with several more planned. Numerous commentators have also written on this topic, some repeatedly. Why is lying such an important moral issue? In all probability, most actual lies that people … Continue reading →

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The Warning of Garabandal: What it is not

Posted on 18 February 2011 by Ron Conte

An excerpt from my book, The Secrets of Medjugorje and Garabandal Revealed: “Be Advised: there are numerous false visionaries and other persons who are promoting false ideas about the Warning! “The Warning has its limits. It will not reveal all … Continue reading →

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An error in the definition of lying

Posted on 17 February 2011 by Ron Conte

The teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church must be read and interpreted in the light of Tradition, Scripture, and the other documents of the Magisterium. Read in isolation, the CCC is easily misunderstood because it is so terse. … Continue reading →

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When is lying a mortal sin?

Posted on 17 February 2011 by Ron Conte

Lying is intrinsically evil. Every intrinsically evil act is always immoral because the act is, by its very nature, contrary to the moral law. But not every intrinsically evil act is a mortal sin. Some intrinsically evil acts are venial … Continue reading →

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