Category Archives: Ethics and Morality

Health Care Reform – Advisory from the US Catholic Bishops

“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

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

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A Creche Without the Magi, Italian Style

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

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

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….

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.

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

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

“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

“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

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

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

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More on Non-Violence

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

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

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Quote for the Day

“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

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