Category Archives: Sacraments

More on the Penance Controversy

Posted on 2 September 2011 by Ron Conte

Has Fr. Ryan Erlenbush changed his theological position on the validity of Confession and on the claimed necessity of accepting the particular penance assigned by the confessor? It is difficult to tell. First, there was this post in April of … Continue reading →

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On the question of Women deacons

Posted on 8 August 2011 by Ron Conte

Over at Fr. Z’s blog, he discusses women’s ordination. What Fr. John Zuhlsdorf asserts contains a doctrinal error: The Roman Pontiff made it clear that Holy Church has no authority to ordain women. It simply cannot be done. Any attempt … Continue reading →

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Is penance required for a valid Sacrament of Penance?

Posted on 5 August 2011 by Ron Conte

The Sacrament often called simply ‘Confession’ by the faithful, is also termed: the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or the Sacrament of Penance, or the Sacrament of Forgiveness. It is a conduit of the forgiving and healing grace that flows to us … Continue reading →

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Michael Voris: doctrinal errors on grace

Posted on 24 July 2011 by Ron Conte

Some theologians have a gift for popularizing difficult ideas without over-simplification. Michael Voris is not one of them. In fact, he is not really a theologian at all. He has written and published no books of theology, nor even any … Continue reading →

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More on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

Posted on 20 July 2011 by Ron Conte

I received a reply to my previous post on this subject. I will quote from that reply, offered by Reginaldus, which is also found on his blog: in the comments to his post. I’ve edited his post to focus on … Continue reading →

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Contra Reginaldus on Anointing of the Sick

Posted on 18 July 2011 by Ron Conte

In his latest post at the New Theological Movement blog, Reginaldus teaches serious errors on the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. 1. Reginaldus claims that unless a person is spiritually sick — unless a person has committed some actual … Continue reading →

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Church teaching on same-sex marriage and civil unions

Posted on 13 July 2011 by Ron Conte

USCCB Catechism: “There are attempts by some in contemporary society to change the definition or understanding of what exactly constitutes marriage. Efforts to gain approval for and acceptance of same-sex unions as marriages are examples. While the Church clearly teaches … Continue reading →

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Can women ever be ordained as deacons or priests?

Posted on 12 July 2011 by Ron Conte

I should point out a couple of theological considerations that are often ignored when women’s ordination is discussed. 1. Ordinatio Sacerdotalis only refers to priestly ordination. Now a Bishop is a type of priest, and a Pope is a type … Continue reading →

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From the Cross within Time, and yet from all Eternity

Posted on 28 June 2011 by Ron Conte

From the Cross within Time, and yet from all Eternity, Christ saves. Christ’s saving work reached its apex, at a certain point in Time, with His sacrifice on the Cross. And yet the redeeming sacrifice of Christ on the Cross … Continue reading →

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The excommunication of Catholics who obtain a gay marriage

Posted on 26 June 2011 by Ron Conte

Any Catholic who obtains a ‘gay marriage’ is automatically excommunicated for the sin of formal heresy, and must be denied holy Communion. Canon 1364, n. 1: “an apostate from the faith, a heretic, or a schismatic incurs a latae sententiae … Continue reading →

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Do the molecules of bread and wine change at the consecration of the Eucharist?

Posted on 24 June 2011 by Ron Conte

Yes, they must change, for the following reasons. The dogma of transubstantiation teaches us that the substance of bread and wine change into the substance of the body and blood of Christ. The soul and Divinity of Christ also become … Continue reading →

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Can an adult be validly baptized against his will?

Posted on 6 June 2011 by Ron Conte

An infant can be baptized, even though any express willing, one way or the other, by the infant is lacking. Original sin is contracted without consent and so it can be remitted without consent. It is not contrary to the … Continue reading →

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