Blog Archives

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries

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 →

More Galleries