Common Errors on the Immaculate Conception

Posted on 6 December 2012 by Ron Conte

The magisterial teaching on the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a dogma. It is an infallible teaching under Papal Infallibility and under the ordinary and universal Magisterium. All infallible magisterial teachings are required beliefs, under pain of … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Scientific Support for an Historical Flood of Noah

Posted on 5 December 2012 by Ron Conte

In my book, Noah’s Flood: Literal or Figurative?, I discuss four different scientific theories — none of them from Creationists — that propose an historical and scientific basis for the Flood of Noah. Each theory shuns an entirely literal reading … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Is the Latin phrase “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” a dogma?

Posted on 4 December 2012 by Ron Conte

An Ecumenical Council has taught “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” — outside the Church [there is] no salvation — definitively and infallibly. So this teaching is a dogma. But what does it mean, exactly? Fourth Lateran Council: “There is indeed one … Continue reading →

More Galleries

What do Pontifex and Pontifex Maximus mean?

Posted on 3 December 2012 by Ron Conte

The Latin word Pontifex means “high priest” or “chief priest”. The word is supposedly derived from the Latin words for “bridge” and “maker”, but the Oxford English Dictionary says that this may be only a ‘folk etymology’. In any case, … Continue reading →

More Galleries

How to find the Pope on Twitter and ask him questions

Posted on 3 December 2012 by Ron Conte

Pope Benedict XVI is now on Twitter @Pontifex Vatican Communications (PCCS) confirms this: https://twitter.com/PCCS_VA Actually, the Pope has several accounts in different languages, and each is the official Vatican-confirmed Twitter account for the Pope. He is scheduled to answer a … Continue reading →

More Galleries

The Date of Christ’s Birth and the Christian Calendar

Posted on 3 December 2012 by Ron Conte

The current year is 2012. How many years has it been since the Birth of Christ? The current calendar system counts the years as if Christ were born in 1 BC. But many scholars (not all) think that 1 BC … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Transmission of Original Sin from Both Parents

Posted on 2 December 2012 by Ron Conte

St. Thomas Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica, expresses a theological opinion not uncommon in past centuries. “Now it is evident that in the opinion of philosophers, the active principle of generation is from the father, while the mother provides the … Continue reading →

More Galleries

The Mayan apocalypse is New Age nonsense

Posted on 1 December 2012 by Ron Conte

What is the source of the idea that the Mayan calendar indicates the end of the world on 21 Dec 2012? I searched Google books, and found no mention of this idea anywhere, until one New Age author, Jose Arguelles, … Continue reading →

More Galleries

My interpretation of the Book of Revelation

Posted on 28 November 2012 by Ron Conte

I have a new book out this week: An Eschatological Commentary on the Apocalypse of John The book present my understanding of the last book of the New Testament, called the Apocalypse of John or the Book of Revelation, especially … Continue reading →

More Galleries

The Bible, Slavery, and Intrinsic Evil

Posted on 28 November 2012 by Ron Conte

Does the Bible approve of slavery, or remain silent on its immorality? Has the Roman Catholic Magisterium condemned slavery as intrinsically evil and always gravely immoral? The Bible The Old Testament had something more like indentured servitude. In ancient times, … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Creationism versus Evolution: a Roman Catholic Perspective

Posted on 27 November 2012 by Ron Conte

The controversy between creationism and evolution has been in the news since Marco Rubio, U.S. Senator from Florida and a Roman Catholic, made these remarks in an interview with GQ magazine: GQ: How old do you think the Earth is? … Continue reading →

More Galleries

Church Teaching on Contraception and Intrinsic Evil

Posted on 26 November 2012 by Ron Conte

The use of contraception is intrinsically evil and always gravely immoral: Pontifical Council for the Family: “The Church has always taught the intrinsic evil of contraception, that is, of every marital act intentionally rendered unfruitful. This teaching is to be … Continue reading →

More Galleries