Category Archives: doctrine

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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Divine Mercy Sunday: double canonization

Posted on 26 April 2014 by Ron Conte

Divine Mercy Sunday, 27 April 2014 Do the promises attached to Divine Mercy Sunday (first Sunday after Easter) exceed or equal the benefits from a plenary indulgence or how do they differ? My answer: Opinions vary on this question. My … Continue reading →

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Was the Priesthood Established at the Last Supper?

Posted on 18 April 2014 by Ron Conte

Yes and no. Yes. The Last Supper was the first Mass and the first consecration of the Eucharist. It was also the only Mass where Jesus, visibly present, consecrated the Eucharist. Without the priesthood, there can be no Mass and … Continue reading →

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Love and Grace

Posted on 15 April 2014 by Ron Conte

If you love your enemies, then you love God and neighbor. If you only love your friends and family, then you might not have the true virtue of love; you might only have the worldly version of love: affection for … Continue reading →

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Corporations and their Support for Gay Marriage

Posted on 4 April 2014 by Ron Conte

A recent Honey Maid ad for graham crackers depicts several different families, and then closes with the tagline: “Everyday wholesome snacks for every wholesome family.” The ad provoked some controversy. The advocacy group One Million Moms had this to say: … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis is a valid orthodox and holy Pope

Posted on 15 March 2014 by Ron Conte

The Pope cannot fall into heresy. God absolutely prevents it. It is not necessary to argue about each teaching of each Pope, and then to judge whether any teaching is heresy or any Pope is a heretic. The Pope is … 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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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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