Category Archives: ethics

Proposed: A Papal Encyclical on Sexual Ethics

Posted on 7 March 2011 by Ron Conte

I intend to write a series of posts (one every week or two) detailing what a papal encyclical on sexual ethics might contain. Each post will cover a particular topic in sexual ethics. I will cite each existing teaching of … Continue reading →

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Marital sexual ethics, Reply to objections 3

Posted on 6 March 2011 by Ron Conte

This post is the third and perhaps last ‘Reply to Objections’ based on my article: Unnatural sexual acts as marital foreplay. The article became controversial last week when an atheist scientist blogged about my post, and his link sent thousands … Continue reading →

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The principle of cooperation with evil: explicit cooperation

Posted on 5 March 2011 by Ron Conte

If we analyze the principle of cooperation with evil according to the three fonts of morality, as taught by Veritatis Splendor (which is Latin for ‘the encyclical everyone ignores‘), the first consideration is intention. If another person is sinning, and … Continue reading →

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The principle of cooperation with evil: introduction

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ron Conte

The principle of cooperation with evil concerns a class of acts in which one person is considering committing an act that is related to the sinful act of another person. The Church’s teaching on cooperation teaches us how to determine … Continue reading →

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Who Goes To Heaven And Who Goes To Hell?

Posted on 1 March 2011 by Ron Conte

This article is written for everyone and anyone, even persons who are not really interested in religion. If you would prefer to read a detailed Roman Catholic theological explanation, see my article, Treatise on Mystical Baptism. Otherwise, read on. How … Continue reading →

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Marital sexual ethics, reply to objections 2

Posted on 26 February 2011 by Ron Conte

This post discusses more objections to the teaching on marital sexual ethics found in this article: Unnatural sexual acts as marital foreplay A. Objection: Some priests and theologians have approved of the use of unnatural sexual acts as marital foreplay. … Continue reading →

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On the reception of Communion by governor Andrew Cuomo

Posted on 25 February 2011 by Ron Conte

Here is the original media e-mail interview of Dr. Edward Peters: And here is the blog post, with other post links: On January 2, 2011, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his live-in girlfriend, Food Network star Sandra Lee, attended … Continue reading →

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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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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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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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