Category Archives: ethics

On the death of Jack Kevorkian and the teaching of the Gospel

Posted on 3 June 2011 by Ron Conte

[Matthew] {25:31} “But when the Son of man will have arrived in his majesty, and all the Angels with him, then he will sit upon the seat of his majesty. {25:32} And all the nations shall be gathered together before … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Theology Q and A (2 June 2011)

Posted on 2 June 2011 by Ron Conte

Q: Is Baptism by sprinkling valid? A: Only if the water both touches the skin and flows across the skin. Pouring the water is preferred, since sprinkled water might only touch the clothing or might touch the skin without flowing; … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Excommunication and Voting for Abortion

Posted on 30 May 2011 by Ron Conte

There is a debate about whether or not those legislators vote for the Filipino Reproductive Health Bill are excommunicated. Most Canon Lawyers say they are not. But Pope John Paul II decided, in Evangelium Vitae: “The 1917 Code of Canon … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Baptism forgives all sins — ALL sins.

Posted on 27 May 2011 by Ron Conte

What if an adult has committed actual mortal sins prior to Baptism, and at the time of Baptism, he has neither imperfect, nor perfect contrition? There are only two possibilities, either the Sacrament is valid and all sins are forgiven, … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Which sexual acts are moral, and which are immoral? Sexual ethics and the three fonts of morality

Posted on 17 May 2011 by Ron Conte

There are three fonts of morality: 1. intention, 2. moral object, 3, circumstances. Each and every knowingly chosen act of the human person has three fonts, and all three fonts must be good for the act to be moral (morally … Continue reading →

More Galleries | 1 Comment

Roman Catholic teaching on masturbation – part 1

Posted on 16 May 2011 by Ron Conte

Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: “in fact both the Magisterium of the Church — in the course of a constant tradition — and the moral sense of the faithful have declared without hesitation that masturbation is an … Continue reading →

More Galleries | 1 Comment

Embryo Adoption: a moral option for infertile Catholic spouses

Posted on 15 May 2011 by Ron Conte

Artificial procreation (in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, etc.) is intrinsically evil and always gravely immoral, because it separates the unitive and procreative meanings, and because it offends against the marital meaning. Infertile Catholic spouses may not use any form of … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Are all wealthy persons thieves who are guilty of mortal sin??!!!

Posted on 12 May 2011 by Ron Conte

Yet another serious doctrinal error being spread among the faithful by Fr. Ryan Erlenbush, posting under the pseudonym Fr. Reginaldus at the New Theological Movement blog. Lest anyone think that I am exaggerating his views, here is a long quote … Continue reading →

More Galleries | 2 Comments

What would Jesus say to terrorists?

Posted on 11 May 2011 by Ron Conte

This question can be answered easily from the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels. But the answer is not the same as what some Catholics are saying in their commentary on the death of the terrorist Osama bin Laden. To … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Catholic Orthodoxy Quiz

Posted on 9 May 2011 by Ron Conte

UPDATED WITH ANSWERS. For each of the following pairs of assertions, one assertion is a true doctrine of the Magisterium, the other is a doctrinal error. Which assertions are doctrinally correct? You may offer your answers (with commentary, please) in … Continue reading →

More Galleries | 3 Comments

contra Jeff Mirus on Contraception

Posted on 8 May 2011 by Ron Conte

Introduction There are a number of different methods that are used today to reject the teaching of the Magisterium on any matter of faith, morals, or salvation. One approach is to treat all questions as if they were open to … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Love of Enemies, Forgiveness of Sinners

Posted on 5 May 2011 by Ron Conte

the love of God — God is infinite Love, and He never changes. However, the relationship between God and human persons on earth changes as they change. God is unchanging infinite Love, but when we speak about the love of … Continue reading →

More Galleries