Married deacons: celibacy, continence, chastity

Posted on 21 January 2011 by Ron Conte

1. Dr. Peters’ interpretation of Canon 1031 §2 is that the consent of the wife required therein is a consent to permanent and perpetual continence (i.e. to abstain from marital relations). Pope John Paul II gives a different interpretation of … Continue reading →

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The right to self-defense versus the right to bear arms

Posted on 19 January 2011 by Ron Conte

The right to self-defense is a fundamental human right. From the Catechism of Catholic Ethics, n. 228: “The right to self-defense is based on an ordered love of self, on a choice to defend the life given to you by … Continue reading →

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May married deacons have marital relations?

Posted on 18 January 2011 by Ron Conte

Over at the In the Light of the Law blog, Canon lawyer Dr. Edward Peters has several posts claiming that married permanent deacons and married priests (in so far as this is permitted in the Latin Rite) may not have … Continue reading →

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My predictions about Pope Benedict XVI

Posted on 17 January 2011 by Ron Conte

Pope Benedict’s explanation as to why he chose the name Benedict: [first General Audience, 2005] “I wanted to be called Benedict XVI in order to create a spiritual bond with Benedict XV, who steered the Church through the period of … Continue reading →

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The patchwork approach to moral theology

Posted on 16 January 2011 by Ron Conte

There is a fairly common methodological error in the approach of many commentators to important questions in moral theology. I’m referring mainly to apologists, bloggers, and discussion group posters, many of whom, unfortunately, put themselves forward as if they were … Continue reading →

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Divorce and ‘the case of fornication’

Posted on 15 January 2011 by Ron Conte

Fornication is usually defined as sexual relations between two persons who are unmarried (CCC, n. 2353). Using this definition, adultery would be distinct from fornication. Jesus uses the term fornication, in other passages of the Gospels, with this usual definition … Continue reading →

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Does predestination imply that salvation is not available to all human persons?

Posted on 15 January 2011 by Ron Conte

The Offer of Salvation The opportunity for salvation is offered to all persons; no one is excluded from the ability to obtain salvation by free will cooperating with grace unto eternal life. Pope John Paul II: “The universality of salvation … Continue reading →

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Is the beatification of Pope John Paul II related to the Miracle of Garabandal?

Posted on 14 January 2011 by Ron Conte

The Virgin Mary appeared to several visionaries at Garabandal, Spain. She told them about a future event that has come to be called the Miracle of Garabandal, or simply the Miracle, when a Permanent Sign would be placed at Garabandal, … Continue reading →

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A list of persons who should not be receiving Holy Communion

Posted on 14 January 2011 by Ron Conte

Under the eternal moral law, anyone who is in a state of formal heresy (knowingly and obstinately rejecting a definitive teaching of the Magisterium on a matter of faith or morals) is automatically excommunicated. Heresy excommunicates by the very nature … Continue reading →

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What effect do civil unions have on marriage?

Posted on 14 January 2011 by Ron Conte

Civil unions have been proposed as a way to give gays access to similar rights as married persons, but without same-sex marriage. The Magisterium rightly opposes this approach, since it proposes to legalize what is gravely immoral, and to establish … Continue reading →

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What is the Second First Sabbath (Luke 6:1) ?

Posted on 13 January 2011 by Ron Conte

[Luke 6] {6:1} Now it happened that, on the second first Sabbath, as he passed through the grain field, his disciples were separating the ears of grain and eating them, by rubbing them in their hands. {6:2} Then certain Pharisees … Continue reading →

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When is it moral to break Canon Law?

Posted on 13 January 2011 by Ron Conte

The answer that the Pharisees of today give is ‘Never’. But that answer is contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ. For our Lord gave us the example of David and his soldiers, who ate the bread of the Presence … Continue reading →

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