Should every baptized Christian be given the name of a Saint?

Posted on 12 January 2011 by Ron Conte

The current Code of Canon Law (1983) states: “Can. 855 Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to take care that a name foreign to Christian sensibility is not given.” (This topic is also discussed over at the Canon law blog … Continue reading →

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Explicit Formal Cooperation in Direct Abortion by Catholic Theologians

Posted on 11 January 2011 by Ron Conte

A Quick Review of Cooperation Another person commits a sin. You are considering committing a different but related act. Under what conditions will your act be a sin due to its relationship to the act of the other person? This … Continue reading →

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New booklet on the Chaplet of St. Michael

Posted on 10 January 2011 by Ron Conte

I have read and recommend this new booklet, which is a meditation and commentary on the Chaplet of St. Michael:
Nonet: Insights into the Chaplet of St. Michael

More information about the Chaplet can be found here, on the EWTN website.

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On Predestination and Reprobation

Posted on 10 January 2011 by Ron Conte

“For God, unless men be themselves wanting to His grace, as he has begun the good work, so will he perfect it, working in them to will and to accomplish.” (Council of Trent) God is all-knowing, and so He knows … Continue reading →

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Is the Mayan calendar date of December 21, 2012 related to the Apocalypse?

Posted on 10 January 2011 by Ron Conte

1. Is the Mayan calendar date of December 21, 2012 related to the Apocalypse? The Mayans did not expect the end of the world on that date. And there are Mayan artifacts with calendar dates on them well beyond that … Continue reading →

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On Direct and Indirect Abortion: the new proportionalism

Posted on 9 January 2011 by Ron Conte

There are three fonts of morality: (1) intention, (2) moral object, (3) circumstances. In order to be moral, each and every knowingly chosen act must have three good fonts. If any one or more fonts is bad, the act is … Continue reading →

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Abortion in the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services

Posted on 8 January 2011 by Ron Conte

The ERD, fourth edition prohibits Catholic hospitals from performing, authorizing, or formally cooperating with direct abortions. Direct abortion is prohibited by directives n. 45 and following: “45. Abortion (that is, the directly intended termination of pregnancy before viability or the … Continue reading →

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Communion in the hand or on the tongue?

Posted on 7 January 2011 by Ron Conte

The mode of reception of Communion, on the tongue or in the hand, is not a doctrine or dogma, but is a matter of discipline. And the Church does have the authority to decide such questions. She can permit one, … Continue reading →

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Are the recent bird and fish deaths related to the Biblical Apocalypse?

Posted on 7 January 2011 by Ron Conte

The incidents of bird deaths include whole flocks of birds dying suddenly, with signs of blunt force trauma. The incidents of fish deaths include large numbers of fish of the same species dying at the same time. These types of … Continue reading →

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Which matters of faith or morals are open questions?

Posted on 7 January 2011 by Ron Conte

There is an alarming tendency among theologians and the laity in general to treat nearly all matters of faith or morals as open questions. Infallible Teachings Unless there is an infallible magisterial teaching on a particular point, explicitly stated in … Continue reading →

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updated post on Lisa Fullam

Posted on 6 January 2011 by Ron Conte

I’ve updated my post here, on the heresies being promoted by Lisa Fullam. Her rejection of magisterial teaching on ethics is very comprehensive, and implies that she rejects not only certain teachings of the Magisterium, but magisterial authority per se. And she teaches ethics at a Catholic university.

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intrinsic evil: theft versus expropriation

Posted on 6 January 2011 by Ron Conte

From The Catechism of Catholic Ethics (n. 207) “Theft is narrowly defined as the direct and voluntary deprivation of goods owned by another person. Love of God and neighbor requires us to respect the right of our neighbor to own … Continue reading →

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