What are the conditions for informed consent regarding rejection of medical treatment? Can you explain the limitations of law? Do unjust laws oblige us to obedience? Question: What are the conditions for informed consent regarding … [Read more...]
The Formation of Priests: Knowledge and Sanctity
September 26, 2013 by Bishop George V. Murry, SJ, PhD
Though there has yet to be published a history of the formation of priests, the historic concern for good priests assumes that the Church has needed, and continues to need, effective seminaries and programs of formation Christ, the Good … [Read more...]
A Defense of Thomistic Natural Law
September 11, 2013 by Dr. Howard P. Kainz, PhD
If there is any other moral theory besides natural law that provides even better guidance for major and common life decisions, then this theory should be proposed, and natural law should take the proverbial back seat. Natural law theory … [Read more...]
Combating the Contraceptive Understanding of Celibacy
August 22, 2013 by Dr. Eric M. Johnston, PhD
On the one hand, we must appreciate how sex is holy. It might be good to say “holy” instead of “good.” Ironically, the idea that celibacy is a sacrifice treats sex as a good in the same way that a candy bar is a good. But this view belongs t … [Read more...]
Abortion: Unmasking the Demon
August 21, 2013 by Fr. Stanley Smolenski, SPMA
It is true that fatherhood is the main target of Satan’s forces, but his is a multi-pronged strategy which includes the destruction of motherhood and childhood. This is blatant in abortions. The spiritual dimension of abortion, based on … [Read more...]
Faith, Hope, and Charity
August 11, 2013 by Fr. Edward O'Connor, CSC
I would like to propose what I believe is the solution to a major source of misunderstanding between Catholics and Protestants on the one hand, and theologians and exegetes on the other. Christ Sleeping Through the Storm at Sea by … [Read more...]
Aquinas’s Vision of Divine and Human Happiness
August 9, 2013 by Fr. John Navone, SJ
St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that only the pure of heart see God without distortion ... Sharing the mind and heart of Christ, we share the eternal happiness of his vision. Holy Trinty by Rubens We all have some vision or other of God … [Read more...]
“Humanae Vitae” and Sacred Scripture: A Missed Opportunity
July 20, 2013 by Rev. Ray E. Atwood
While prophetic in many ways, the most controversial encyclical of the twentieth century might have been better received had a stronger biblical argument been made in its favor. This July 2013 we commemorate the 45th anniversary of Pope … [Read more...]
Existence as Persons In and Through Others
July 6, 2013 by Fr. John Navone, SJ
The human family is the relational image of the relational Trinity, in which each divine person is distinct from the other while eternally one with the other in communion, community, and communication. We are aware of ourselves as … [Read more...]
“Read Your Thomas”: The Advice We Should Heed
July 4, 2013 by Brian Jones
Aquinas was the model philosopher for Ralph McInerny, and following the likes of 20th century Thomists such as Maritain, Gilson, Fabro, and DeKonick, he wanted the world (and the Church) to see the necessity of this man and his … [Read more...]
Celiac Disease and Holy Communion: A Medical and Spiritual Dilemma
June 24, 2013 by Msgr. Mark J. Merdian
In this article, I hope to inform as many people as possible ... about the damaging spiritual and physical effects of celiac disease. And ... provide resources and pastoral recommendations for caring for individuals who may be unable to … [Read more...]
Jesus and Marriage? A Theological Response
June 20, 2013 by R. Jared Staudt, PhD
The celibacy of Jesus, and the Christian response to it, is ultimately a question of love, an intimate relation that is hard to grasp for modern man looking in from the outside. Early papyrus fragment of "wife of Jesus;" Jesus Christ Pa … [Read more...]
Holy Communion: Sharing in the Threefold Munus of the Divine Gladiator
June 7, 2013 by Fr. Andreas Hoeck, SSD
The Church early on espoused munus to designate the triple character or office of the God-Man, Jesus Christ: he is at the same time Priest, Prophet and King or Shepherd. Gladiators fighting to the death; Christ's glorious resurrection … [Read more...]
Thinking as a Christian with Josef Pieper
May 20, 2013 by Matthew Anger
In an age when society is again becoming highly polarized, it is important to remember that the lack of real communication causes a breakdown in civility, and an increase in ignorance. During his long lifetime, Josef Pieper (1904-1997) … [Read more...]
Getting a Grip on Gossip
May 4, 2013 by Dr. Joseph R. Hollcraft
The Church reminds us that we have the obligation to correct our brother’s fault for the sake of righteousness out of love ... We are called to do this in a spirit of gentleness and humility. A First Down Broadmoor Drive Growing up in a … [Read more...]
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