Category Archives: ethics

Did Pope Francis approve of Contraception in dire circumstances?

Posted on 19 February 2016 by Ron Conte

Numerous press outlets are making this claim, usually without giving the full quote by Pope Francis. So let’s look at what the holy Pontiff actually said. Pope Francis: “Abortion is not the lesser of two evils. It is a crime. … Continue reading →

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Eventually, faithful Catholics will be driven out of the Health Care System

Posted on 5 February 2016 by Ron Conte

A faithful Catholic physician cannot prescribe abortifacient contraception, nor refer patients for abortions. He or she cannot morally prescribe ED (erectile dysfunction) drugs for recreational purposes, which seems to be their main usage today. He cannot perform, nor refer patients … Continue reading →

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The Moral Object of Abortifacient Contraception for a Medical Purpose

Posted on 4 February 2016 by Ron Conte

The Moral Object Morality concerns the knowingly chosen acts of human persons. By exercising the gifts of reason and free will in any knowing choice, the human person acts, and such acts are subject to the eternal moral law. Every … Continue reading →

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Denmark: legalized government theft from the poor

Posted on 3 February 2016 by Ron Conte

The news report is here: Denmark legalizes confiscation of valuables from immigrants (CNN) This new law in Denmark allows the government to seize cash, jewelry, watches, mobile phones, computers, and other valuables (except for things of sentimental value) from “asylum … Continue reading →

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Contraception and the Zika virus

Posted on 29 January 2016 by Ron Conte

Is it moral to use contraception, either a barrier method or a pill, to prevent conception of a child who might be greatly harmed by the Zika virus? Background The Zika virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. The CDC says: “The … Continue reading →

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Two Types of Physicalism in Moral Theology

Posted on 18 January 2016 by Ron Conte

The teaching of the Roman Catholic Church on intrinsically evil acts is often falsely accused of physicalism. But physicalism, properly defined, is an erroneous approach to ethics which uses the mere physical or biological aspects of an act to determine … Continue reading →

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An error in: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

Posted on 8 January 2016 by Ron Conte

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (FCFC) is a teaching document of the USCCB on the participation by Catholics in civil politics. Overall, the document is well-written and offers many good insights into the conflicts between the Catholic conscience and the … Continue reading →

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Love as an Excuse for Grave Sin

Posted on 5 January 2016 by Ron Conte

In sinful secular society, love is often used as an excuse for grave sin. The adulterer says that he no longer loves his wife; he loves his mistress instead. So he justifies leaving his wife for his mistress on the … Continue reading →

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Would the Church ever lie to save souls?

Posted on 3 January 2016 by Ron Conte

No. Of course not. But it is a popular error among Catholics, often discussed online, to claim either that (a) lying is sometimes moral, or that (b) a deliberate false assertion is not always a lie. (a) This error claims … Continue reading →

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What is the Natural Law in Catholic teaching?

Posted on 29 December 2015 by Ron Conte

Natural law is the promulgation of the eternal moral law in all creation, especially in created persons, both in the nature of each created thing, and in the ordered relationship between created things. Moral goodness is inherent to, and understandable … Continue reading →

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What Causes a Scrupulous Conscience? Is it OCD?

Posted on 28 December 2015 by Ron Conte

The Catholic Encyclopedia has a good but brief article on scruples, which describes the condition in this way: “An unfounded apprehension and consequently unwarranted fear that something is a sin which, as a matter of fact, is not. It is … Continue reading →

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Can I take birth control pills for a medical need?

Posted on 20 December 2015 by Ron Conte

Over at the Ask an Apologist section of Catholic Answers Forums, a poster asks: “Can I take birth control pills for a medical need?” She then says that she needs to be put on “retinol” for an “incurable autoimmune disorder”, … Continue reading →

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