Category Archives: Ethics and Morality

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 →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, General Interest, Saints and Prophets, Spirituality | Leave a comment

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

Quote for the Day

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Live always in truth, that you may die in obedience.” — St. Francis of Assissi Obedience to the truth always leads to freedom and beatitude.  Thus, the importance of always knowing the truth, directing ourselves to it, and choosing it … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | Leave a comment

“Eating is a Moral Act”

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Log on to www.ncrlc.com/tabletalk.html This is the website for the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. You will find there “Ethics of Eating” that is worth your while to read. I will quote a short piece from it below. “Eating is … Continue reading →

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Conscience Clauses and President Obama

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The USCCB is reporting that President Obama has promised to support conscience clauses in health care facilities.  There had been concern that conscience clauses that exist would have been eliminated with the current administration, putting thousands of Catholic health care … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 1 Comment

Notre Dame, one last time

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I’d like to direct your attention to a post (Obama and ND - a last gasp) made by Deacon Scott Dodge over at  www.scottdodge.blogspot.com  He succinctly describes the basic issue for this whole affair, and he does so well. Kudos to Deacon Dodge.

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Another Bishop’s Response to the Notre Dame Problem

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Bishop Samuel J. Aquila of the Diocese of Fargo wrote to Fr. Jenkins, president of Notre Dame on April 5, expressing his thoughts on President Obama’s invitation to speak and receive an honorary degree from Notre Dame in the next … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 6 Comments

Another Interesting Article on Notre Dame

Posted on May 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Thanks to a good friend, I read another article related to this debacle.  This one is written by Rev. Robert A. Sirico in the National Review Online.  It is listed as appearing on April 17, 2009.  Fr. Sirico is president and co-founder of … Continue reading →

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Notre Dame — Our Lady — Embarrassed?

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Take a look at a great article written by Bishop David A. Zubik Pittsburgh Catholic. www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.phtml?id=2466 Just a few quotes: “Notre Dame — Our Lady — is a title and devotion that every Catholic holds close to heart.  Which is … Continue reading →

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Equality in the Marriage Liturgy

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I was looking at the website for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (www.usccb.org) and I see they are recommending both the bride and the groom be escorted down the aisle by their parents, as this expresses equality of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Sacraments | 3 Comments

The Notre Dame Debacle

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I received an email from a friend recently.  He forwarded an article from www.LifeSiteNews.com in which are listed 57 bishops from all areas of the country who have sent letters to Father Jenkins at Notre Dame protesting providing President Obama … Continue reading →

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Obedience, Freedom, and Happiness

Posted on April 26, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Obedience to God’s commandments, far from alienating us from our humanity, is the pathway to genuine liberation and the source of true happiness.” — John Paul II I have been reading John Paul II’s address to the bishops of Region … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Popes | Leave a comment

The Four Witnesses to Natural Law

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Deacon Bob

As many of you know, many in our contemporary society refuse to acknowledge the existence of natural law. From what I recall, Judge Robert Bork was rejected as a Supreme Court nominee partially because of his thoughts about natural law. … Continue reading →

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John Paul II and Democracy

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Deacon Bob

John Paul II on January 27, 1999 spoke during Vespers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.  The following is a quote: “And so America, If you want peace, work for justice.  If you want justice, defend … Continue reading →

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Notre Dame and the President

Posted on April 19, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I overheard yesterday an argument between two fairly prominent individuals from our Region.  Rather heated. All about Obama’s scheduled address and honorary degree of Law from Notre Dame in a few weeks. I find it surprising that most people seem … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 2 Comments

The Christian Moral Life

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“The Christian moral life begins and ends in Christ.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1698) A moral theology instructor, Joe Michalak, wrote that the moral life ”is an adherence to neither a doctrinal system (though there is an indispensable one) nor … Continue reading →

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Human Freedom and the Fundamental Option

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Pope John Paul II, in Veritatis Splendor made the following comments:  “There is no doubt that Christian moral teaching, even in its Biblical roots, acknowledges the specific importance of a fundamental choice which qualifies the moral life and engages freedom … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Popes | 2 Comments

Notre Dame and the President

Posted on March 26, 2009 by Deacon Bob

If you have been listening to Catholic radio in recent days, you have no doubt heard that Fr. Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame, has invited President Obama to give the commencement address to the graduating class in … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Politics | 2 Comments

Are We Truth Friendly and Happy?

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I just finished reading John Paul II’s encyclical Vertitatis Splendor. As you know, it is an encyclical on Catholic moral theology, something on which the Second Vatican Council was going to issue a document but never got around to it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality | 3 Comments