Will Pope Francis shock and surprise us on his U.S. visit (9/25/2015)?

Posted on 17 November 2014 by Ron Conte

Pope Francis: “I wish to confirm that, God willing, in September of 2015, I will go to Philadelphia for the Eighth World Meeting of Families.” His visit is scheduled to begin Sept. 25th. I suggest to my readers that the … Continue reading →

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7 False Claims about Women’s Ordination to the Diaconate

Posted on 16 November 2014 by Ron Conte

The Roman Catholic Magisterium infallibly teaches “that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.” (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis n. 4). But ordination to … Continue reading →

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Will Pope Francis Ordain Women Deacons?

Posted on 16 November 2014 by Ron Conte

I believe that, in 2015, Pope Francis will teach that women can be ordained to the diaconate. There are theological reasons as well as eschatological reasons for my opinion. Some would argue that Pope Francis already ruled out women’s ordination. … Continue reading →

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Ten Ways to Respond When You Disagree with Pope Francis

Posted on 15 November 2014 by Ron Conte

If you disagree with Pope Francis in his personal opinions, his prudential judgments, his official decisions on matters of discipline, or his non-infallible teachings under the Magisterium, how should you respond? 1. Consider your own sins and failings. You are … Continue reading →

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Commentary: Ten tips on how to survive a calamitous Pope and remain Catholic

Posted on 15 November 2014 by Ron Conte

Over at the traditionalist blog Rorate Caeli, they posted an article from Dr. Francisco José Soler Gil: Ten tips on how to survive a calamitous Pope and remain Catholic. It will not help you remain Catholic. As soon as you … Continue reading →

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Can the Church give Communion to the Remarried?

Posted on 12 November 2014 by Ron Conte

1. Ultimately, the Church decides this question. The Pope, or if he so chooses, the body of Bishops led by the Pope, will decide this question definitively. When the Church decides, no one on earth has the authority to contradict … Continue reading →

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When may a Catholic disagree with Pope Francis?

Posted on 11 November 2014 by Ron Conte

Pope Francis is a valid Pope. He is currently the only Roman Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict XVI validly resigned, and so he is no longer the Pope; that is why he is called “Pope emeritus”. Any Catholic … Continue reading →

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How the Supreme Court Justices will vote on same-sex marriage

Posted on 9 November 2014 by Ron Conte

Some of the appellate courts have upheld bans on gay marriage; other appellate courts have overturned them. As a result, many commentators are saying that SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) will probably hear a case on gay marriage … Continue reading →

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The Immaculate Virgin Conception of the Virgin Mary

Posted on 7 November 2014 by Ron Conte

In my book Important Dates in the Lives of Jesus and Mary, I conclude that the true date of the Immaculate Conception was November 8th. In my booklet The Virginity of Jesus and Mary, I discuss the dogma of the … Continue reading →

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Turkeys on the church lawn

Posted on 7 November 2014 by Ron Conte

This gallery contains 3 photos.

I stopped by my parish church today (Friday) for brief prayer in front of the Eucharist. On the way in to the chapel, I saw about a half dozen turkeys grazing on the lawn. They were unfazed by my approach. … Continue reading →

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Which Persons are Members of the One True Church?

Posted on 3 November 2014 by Ron Conte

Which Persons are Members of the One True Church? 1. The Three Persons of the Trinity, including Jesus with his human nature 2. The Blessed Virgin Mary 3. All the souls in Heaven 4. All the souls in Purgatory 5. … Continue reading →

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Teaching and Arguing Catholicism

Posted on 3 November 2014 by Ron Conte

Sometimes I receive e-mails from persons sincerely asking for the answer to a theological question. They include some comments about their current thinking on the topic. And sometimes, from their words, I perceive that they will not accept the answer … Continue reading →

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