Category Archives: Ethics and Morality

Marriage of One Man and One Woman — “Ideal” or Foundational?

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Deacon Bob

There seems to be an increase in the notion that the union of one man with one woman into which children are born and nurtured is simply an “ideal” and not fundamental to the definition of marriage. Proponents will be … Continue reading →

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Markets Created by Abortion

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I just received the latest Ethics and Medics. The entire issue is a partial reprint of Victoria Evans’ thesis, “Commercial Markets Created by Abortion: Profiting from the Fetal Distribution Chain,” presented to the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome. Victoria … Continue reading →

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Quiz and Quote for the Day

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Deacon Bob

The quiz question is: “Who wrote this in November 1974?” The quote is: … abortion does not free the woman so much as it frees her partner, whether he be her husband or not, from nuisances and irritations, allowing him … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Marriage and Family | 2 Comments

50th Anniversary of “The Pill”

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Deacon Bob

My good friend Deacon Joe recently sent me a couple of links to a two-part article written by Michelle Bauman, a junior at the University of Dallas where she is studying politics and journalism. Despite its widespread use, the birth … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Human Development and Life, Marriage and Family, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

If You Haven’t Done So….

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Deacon Bob

If you haven’t had the chance yet to log on to National Catholic Bioethics Center, I would encourage you to do so. I know in my diaconate formation, I wished we would have had a longer course on bioethics, so this splendid … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Our society permits everything, and forgives nothing.” –attributed to Francis Cardinal George by Fr. R. Simon (Perhaps a little hyperbole, but the point is well made. For some reason, we don’t like to let go of perceived or received hurts … Continue reading →

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The Human Body — Gift not Object

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Let me try to succinctly summarize one reason why pornography and contraception are wrong and destructive to the human person and the human community. Both are rampant in our society, and the mainstream media and perhaps most of society today … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality | 1 Comment

The Call to Celibacy

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Celibacy is a special vocation to live life without sexual intercourse and to integrate one’s sexuality completely into one’s life — into all that one does and says. All of us are called to live an integrated life, expressing our … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Fundamental Theology, General Interest, Human Development and Life | 2 Comments

The De-Professionalization of Healthcare

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Deacon Bob

One of the things that really bothers me in the field of contemporary healthcare has to do with Advanced Directives (AD) and their effect on the patient-professional relationship. At face value, one might say, ADs are an expression of the … Continue reading →

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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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