Category Archives: Ethics and Morality

On Being a Christian

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Deacon Gordon sent me a quote that I would like highlight.  Please read the first comment on yesterday’s “Quote of the Day”, or read on below. “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or lofty ideas, but the … Continue reading →

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Health Care Reform Bill and the Common Good

Posted on March 25, 2010 by Deacon Bob

With the passage of the health care reform bill, many are left with a great deal of ambivalence. Yes, there are many others of sharp opinion both pro and con, but many of us simply really don’t know what the … Continue reading →

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Pope Benedict’s Pastoral Letter to Ireland – follow up post

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I want to include in today’s posting section 7 of the Pope’s letter to the Church of Ireland in which he addressed priests and religious who are or have been perpetrators of abuse. “You betrayed the trust that was placed … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Ethics and Morality, General Interest, Popes | 2 Comments

Sexual Abuse – An Apology

Posted on March 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father today release a pastoral letter to the people of God in Ireland. His words in this letter can well be applied to all countries where the sexual abuse by clergy and religious has occurred.  I want to … Continue reading →

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Susanna Maiolo and the Pope

Posted on January 13, 2010 by Deacon Bob

As I am sure you are aware, on Christmas Eve at the beginning of Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s, Susanna Maiolo jumped the barricades separating the faithful from the Holy Father, grabbed his vestments and took him to the floor … Continue reading →

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Virtue and Vice

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Here is a good definition of vice and virtue, as described by Saint Basil the Great. My translation to English: “In fact, the definition of vice is this: to use in an evil manner, or in a manner alien from … Continue reading →

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Health Care Reform – Advisory from the US Catholic Bishops

Posted on January 9, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Congress continues to debate health care reform. While the House passed a health care bill that prevents the federal government from funding elective abortions, and includes provisions making health care affordable and accessible for all, the Senate rejected this and … Continue reading →

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AIDS Prevention – What We Can Learn from Africa

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I would like to alert you to a soon to be released book entitled, Affirming Love, Avoiding AIDS – What Africa Can Teach the West, authored by Matthew Hanley and Jokin de Irala.  I believe this book is being published … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Human Development and Life, Politics | Leave a comment

A Creche Without the Magi, Italian Style

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Deacon Bob

In the Cathedral of Agrigento, Italy, the manger scene this year will be without the three wise men. Instead, there is a sign that reads, “Please be advised that this year the baby Jesus will be without gifts. The Magi … Continue reading →

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One Man’s Long-standing Protest

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I read today that Fr. Carl Kabat, OMI was arrested on August 6 in Weld County, Colorado after having trespassed onto a US missile site. He was later convicted and sentenced to time served. Fr. Kabat is 76 years old. … Continue reading →

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The Manhattan Declaration

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Deacon Bob

As you may have already read, a large contingent of Catholic bishops (including Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York), evangelical leaders, Orthodox bishops and other religious leaders have signed and promulgated The Manhattan Declaration. It speaks to the sanctity of … Continue reading →

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It is Mercy I Seek….

Posted on November 11, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I would ask that all of us remember in our prayers John Allen Muhammed, who was executed last night in Virginia.  I do not support the death penalty nor do I support abortion or euthanasia. God alone is the author of life and … Continue reading →

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Our Faith is not about Sin; Its about Mercy.

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The Catholic New Service is running a story about Margaret Mary McCullough of Lubbock, Texas who recently forgave the killer of her husband. She has been a vibrant witness of the primacy of mercy and forgiveness in our faith.  Violence ultimately … Continue reading →

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Laudable Quotes from Caritas in Veritate

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Some more wonderful quotes from the Pope’s Encyclical: “Man is not a lost atom in a random universe: he is God’s creature, whom God chose to endow with an immortal soul and whom he has always loved.” (29) “Knowledge is … Continue reading →

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Quote from Caritas in Veritate

Posted on July 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Openness to life is at the center of true development. When a society moves towards the denial or suppression of life, it ends up no longer finding the necessary motivation and energy to strive for man’s true good. If personal … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 9, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Without truth, charity degenerates into sentimentality. Love becomes an empty shell, to be filled in an arbitrary way. In a culture without truth, this is the fatal risk facing love. It falls prey to contingent subjective emotions and opinions, the … Continue reading →

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David’s Sin and Ours

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The Old Testament reading from Samuel this morning in the Office of Readings is a continuation of the story of David’s sin — his arrangement for the murder of Urriah the Hittite so he could cover his sin of adultery … Continue reading →

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In Defense of Marriage

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The whole institution of marriage is threatened nowadays. The rates of cohabitation, homosexual couples seeking to marry in more and more states, the trivialization of marriage by so many others — all these threaten marriage. As my one of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Sacraments | 1 Comment

More on Non-Violence

Posted on June 2, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I couldn’t help but notice the Patristic reading in the Office of Readings for today.  It seems to mesh well with yesterday’s post on non-violence.  St. Dorotheus had this to say (my translation of the Italian): “He who takes blame … Continue reading →

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Pro-Life, Death, and Violence

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Deacon Bob

How unhappy I am today, learning as I came to work this morning that someone murdered Dr. George Tiller down in Kansas.  As you probably know, Dr. Tiller was a late-term abortionist. He was killed by someone in the lobby … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality | 3 Comments