Category Archives: Magisterium

Natural Law and the Catholic Faith

Posted on 22 September 2011 by Ron Conte

There are three pillars of truth in the Roman Catholic Faith: 1. Tradition 2. Scripture 3. Magisterium The Magisterium (the living teaching office of the Church) teaches from Tradition and Scripture. All the teachings of the Magisterium are found, explicitly … Continue reading →

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A little boasting about my parish priests

Posted on 26 August 2011 by Ron Conte

I’m in my 50’s and I’ve been Catholic for my whole life. I’ve attended very many Masses, and heard very many sermons (some good, some not so good). I have moved from one place to another, from time to time, … Continue reading →

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Contra Cardinal Ratzinger on Levels of Assent

Posted on 17 August 2011 by Ron Conte

The Magisterium is one authority (and ability) given to the Church by the Holy Spirit. But since the Magisterium teaches either infallibly or non-infallibly, we can divide the Magisterium, conceptually, into two types of exercises of that authority: 1. infallible … Continue reading →

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The death of the Virgin Mary

Posted on 15 August 2011 by Ron Conte

The non-infallible ordinary Magisterium teaches that Mary died and was resurrected from the dead, prior to her Assumption. The infallible sacred Magisterium teaches that Mary was assumed into Heaven, with body and soul united (alive). 1. infallible teachings require the … Continue reading →

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To what extent may a faithful Catholic disagree with the Pope?

Posted on 7 August 2011 by Ron Conte

When the Pope or a Council or the Universal Magisterium teaches infallibly, the faithful are required to give the full assent of faith (what I term ‘sacred assent’). Infallible teachings of the Magisterium are guaranteed by the Holy Spirit to … Continue reading →

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All Are Not Welcome

Posted on 16 June 2011 by Ron Conte

Are all persons welcome to become members of the Catholic Church? No. In order to be a member of the Catholic Church, you must believe what the Catholic Church teaches. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, … Continue reading →

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Can a Pope commit the sin of heresy?

Posted on 12 June 2011 by Ron Conte

There are really only two possible answers to this question. Either a Pope is able to fall into heresy, or he is not able. But some persons have claimed that a Pope can fall into heresy privately, but not in … Continue reading →

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When is a teaching infallible? Must all infallible teachings be manifestly evident?

Posted on 11 June 2011 by Ron Conte

Canon law 749 n. 3 states: “No doctrine is understood as defined infallibly unless this is manifestly evident.” This Canon raises a question concerning the interpretation of teachings of the Magisterium. Must it be manifestly evident that a teaching has … Continue reading →

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Anathema, Excommunication, and Heresy

Posted on 8 June 2011 by Ron Conte

The term ‘anathema’ originally referred to things that were offered to God (Catholic Encyclopedia, Anathema). Anything offered to God was therefore cut off from the one who made the offering. In offering something to God, the person may no longer … Continue reading →

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Saint Thomas on Heresy

Posted on 30 May 2011 by Ron Conte

Saint Thomas Aquinas in the Summa Theologica: On the contrary, Augustine says against the Manichees [Cf. De Civ. Dei xviii, 1]: “In Christ’s Church, those are heretics, who hold mischievous and erroneous opinions, and when rebuked that they may think … Continue reading →

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Against Catholic Fundamentalism – 1 – Private Interpretation of Scripture

Posted on 26 May 2011 by Ron Conte

There is a certain false teaching, spreading among many Catholics, which claims that the Church prohibits us from interpreting Scripture. They call this the ‘private interpretation’ of Scripture. They say that we must wait for the Magisterium to tell us … Continue reading →

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Is it Church teaching or Personal Opinion?

Posted on 21 May 2011 by Ron Conte

One of the theological problems that plagues the faithful in the present time is an over-simplification of the Catholic Faith. This problem is particularly prevalent in Catholic sources online (blogs, discussion groups, personal devotional websites, etc.). There is a strong … Continue reading →

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