Category Archives: doctrine

Dogma is only Infallible when properly Understood

Posted on 22 November 2014 by Ron Conte

I’m dismayed to see that fundamentalism is on the rise among my fellow Catholics. The fundamentalist Protestant believes that Sacred Scripture is infallible. I agree. But then the fundamentalist puts forward his interpretation of Scripture as if it were not … Continue reading →

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When may a Catholic disagree with Pope Francis?

Posted on 11 November 2014 by Ron Conte

Pope Francis is a valid Pope. He is currently the only Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI validly resigned, and so he is no longer the Pope; that is why he is called “Pope emeritus”. Any Catholic … Continue reading →

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Thou shalt not bear False Witness against the Pope

Posted on 22 October 2014 by Ron Conte

The ten commandments of the Old Testament include a negative precept condemning false testimony, also called false witness. [Exodus] {20:16} You shall not speak false testimony against your neighbor. In the New Testament, Jesus reiterates the ten commandments. They are … Continue reading →

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What Is Your Position on Salvation Theology?

Posted on 13 October 2014 by Ron Conte

There are several different positions on salvation that are commonly found among Catholics. However, not all of these positions are compatible with magisterial teaching. My position: 1. God wills that all human persons be saved. The only persons who are … Continue reading →

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Heaven, Hell, and Salvation

Posted on 23 September 2014 by Ron Conte

Two of my recent publications deal with the topic of salvation theology. The brief booklet: Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, and Limbo explains those three places and their role in the plan of God for salvation. The booklet starts with a summary … Continue reading →

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The Problem with Pope Francis Marrying cohabitating Couples

Posted on 15 September 2014 by Ron Conte

Pope Francis married 20 couples living in sin (cohabitating outside of marriage). The news story is here. The holy Pontiff stressed that the Church should be forgiving, and should welcome sinners. From a theological point of view, the Sacrament of … Continue reading →

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According to Catholic teaching, when does Ensoulment occur?

Posted on 6 September 2014 by Ron Conte

Ensoulment is the joining of an immortal soul to the human body. In the distant past, many Catholics believed that ensoulment occurred a certain number of weeks after conception (and they had a poor understanding of what conception means). Until … Continue reading →

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The Correct Understanding of Transubstantiation

Posted on 6 September 2014 by Ron Conte

The dogma of transubstantiation was infallibly defined by the Council of Trent: The most holy Eucharist has indeed this in common with the rest of the sacraments, that it is a symbol of a sacred thing, and is a visible … 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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Contraception in Cases of Rape — Catholic moral theology

Posted on 20 June 2014 by Ron Conte

All contraceptive acts (e.g. taking a birth control pill), and all contracepted sexual acts (e.g. choosing to engage in sexual acts not inherently ordered toward procreation) are intrinsically evil because they are the deliberate choice of an act that is … 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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