Category Archives: ethics

Fourth article on contraception and heresy

Posted on 24 December 2010 by Ron Conte

I’ve just published the fourth in my series of articles titled Contraception and Heresy. This article focuses on the moral object of sexual acts, and the evil moral object in any use of contraception, which is the deprivation of the … Continue reading →

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two physician/ethicists comment on Phoenix abortion case

Posted on 24 December 2010 by Ron Conte

From the Catholic News Agency: However, two obstetrician-gynecologists from the Diocese of Phoenix’s Medical Ethics Department said Sr. Keehan was misrepresenting both the facts of the St. Joseph’s Hospital case, and the ethical principles of Catholic health care. … “It … Continue reading →

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Sr. Margaret McBride’s canonical status

Posted on 24 December 2010 by Ron Conte

Sr. Margaret McBride is the St. Joseph’s hospital administrator who Bishop Olmsted declared was automatically excommunicated for her official approval of a direct abortion at the hospital. His declaration implies that everyone else at the hospital who were involved to … Continue reading →

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M. Therese Lysaught’s grave doctrinal error

Posted on 23 December 2010 by Ron Conte

I’ve just posted a new article to Catechism.cc: The Phoenix Abortion Case – M. Therese Lysaught’s grave doctrinal error Lysaught is the moral theologian at Marquette University who rendered a written opinion to the hospital justifying the Phoenix abortion. My … Continue reading →

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Bishop Olmsted suffers reproach for Christ

Posted on 23 December 2010 by Ron Conte

Beloved children of God, we live in a sinful world and so, when we teach and live the truths of faith and morals taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, we will suffer reproach. Unfortunately, we will suffer reproach not only … Continue reading →

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unnatural sexual acts are intrinsically evil

Posted on 23 December 2010 by Ron Conte

In these public comments, moral theologian Fr. Faggioni suggests great discretion in discussing sexual acts, which is generally a good approach. But the circumstances are such, at the present time, that proponents of unrestrained sexual expression in marriage, as if … Continue reading →

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Phoenix abortion case: medical facts

Posted on 22 December 2010 by Ron Conte

over at Vox Nova, M.Z. Forrest takes issue with Bishop Olmsted’s assessment of the medical facts. M.Z. quotes the Bishop: It also was clear that the exceptional cases, mentioned in ERD #47, were not met, that is, that there was … Continue reading →

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prescription recreational drugs

Posted on 22 December 2010 by Ron Conte

Drug companies spend many millions of dollars promoting ED medications. I’m sure they realize that most of the persons using these medications are using them as a prescription recreational drug, not as a treatment for a valid disorder. What they … Continue reading →

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Can Catholic hospitals dispense contraception to unmarried persons?

Posted on 21 December 2010 by Ron Conte

Some Catholic commentators claim that the Magisterium has no teaching on whether or not contraception is moral outside of marriage. This claim implies that the administrators of a Catholic hospital can use their own moral judgment as to whether or … Continue reading →

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contraception with a good intention

Posted on 21 December 2010 by Ron Conte

Some commentators are claiming that contraception is only immoral when the intent is to contracept, i.e. when contraception is used with the purpose of preventing conception. Not true. The Magisterium teaches that there are three fonts of morality: (1) intention, … Continue reading →

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More on contraception outside of marriage

Posted on 18 December 2010 by Ron Conte

Pope Benedict XVI’s comment about condoms is in itself not very interesting. He merely notes that the intention to avoid disease transmission — out of concern for other persons — is a good intention. But of course one good font, … Continue reading →

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Howard Hawks: What makes a movie good?

Posted on 18 December 2010 by Ron Conte

Howard Hawkes, famed American director, producer and screenwriter, asked the question: What makes a movie good? His answer: Three good scenes; no bad scenes. This seems like an odd answer. Why not say all scenes should be good, or ‘at … Continue reading →

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