The Real Pope Francis vs. the Imaginary Pope Francis

Last updated on: June 3, 2017 at 12:36 pm By Dave Armstrong

Venice carnival masks (February 2008. Photo by “Dagoos” [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license] *** As any conscious person who follows Catholic affairs at all, knows, there seems to be a constant uproar and “buzz” about this, that, or the other thing that the Holy Father said. One of my friends claimed that Pope Francis’ shortcomings were the cause, and asked my opinion about it. The following was my reply (expanded for this article): 1) I... Read more

Ratzinger: Avoid Criticizing Church in “Mass Media”

Last updated on: November 22, 2021 at 2:30 pm By Dave Armstrong

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (the future Pope Benedict XVI) on 12 May 2001. Photograph by Manfredo Ferrari [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license] ***** Four days ago, I produced a post entitled, “‘Confusing’ Pope Francis & Prudent Public Discussion.” In it, I summarized my position in the following words: Even if our objections are perfectly legitimate and worthy of attention and concern, it’s another question entirely, whether they ought to be aired in public, with the whole world watching. I... Read more

Bathroom Laws Redux (Dialogue w Atheist)

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:10 pm By Dave Armstrong

Image by OpenClipArtVectors [Pixabay / CC0 public domain] *** This exchange occurred in the combox of my post, My Supposed “Conflation” of LGBTQ Rights & Pedophilia. See also the earlier related post, Bathroom Insanity, “Gay Marriage”, Abortion, & Legal Coercion. The words of TheAgnosticAtheist will be in blue. *** Hello again Dave, I saw one of the points you made and thought that I might point something out. Due to previous complications, I’ll make this as clear as I can as... Read more

Absence of a Mother or Father Harms Children (Sociological Data)

Last updated on: September 19, 2019 at 11:43 am By Dave Armstrong

Image by George Hodan [publicdomainpictures.net] This article has been re-uploaded under the title, “Sociology: Absence of Mother or Father Harms Children” *** Read more

“Confusing” Pope Francis & Prudent Public Discussion

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:14 pm By Dave Armstrong

Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, 12 May 2013. Photo by Edgar Jiménez [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license] *** [someone asked me about this, and I answered; and add many more thoughts presently] I think Pope Francis says confusing things sometimes (and too many times), yes. “Germanic” Pope Benedict-like or Aquinas-like articulation and concision is not his high suit. He has other gifts (ones also sorely needed in the Church). I also think that... Read more

Apologética católica: Traducciones al español / tradução para português (Aussi, traductions en français)

Last updated on: May 24, 2022 at 10:19 am By Dave Armstrong

[Catholic Apologetics from Dave Armstrong: Spanish, Portugese, and French Translations of my articles and books] [Ver la página de información del libro (contenidos y extractos) y el enlace de compra ($ 2.99 USD) ] *** [asterisked papers (*) indicate links to other sites. As time goes on, I hope to transfer all of these papers onto my own blog] [documentos marcados con asterisco (*) indican los enlaces a otros sitios. A medida que pasa el tiempo, espero poder transferir todos... Read more

50 preuves de la primauté de Pierre dans le NT

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:15 pm By Dave Armstrong

[50 New Testament Proofs for Petrine Primacy & the Papacy: in French] Detail of Christ Handing the Keys to St. Peter (1481-82) by Pietro Perugino (1448-1523) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] ***** Cette écriture de la mine de 1994 a été traduit en 2008 par Benoit Meyrieux, qui vient cette semaine a obtenu une maîtrise en théologie de l’Université franciscaine de Steubenville. Il a également obtenu un baccalauréat canonique en philosophie et d’un baccalauréat en études religieuses. Benoit est né et a... Read more

My Supposed “Conflation” of LGBTQ Rights & Pedophilia

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:17 pm By Dave Armstrong

The Usual [Sad] “Discussion” with “Angry”-Type LGBTQ Activists . . . Photo by Victor Gregory (11-9-07) [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license] ***** I wrote a critique of the article, “Orlando,” by a transgender LGBT activist, Callie Wright. Mine was entitled, “Orlando, “Homophobia”, Terrorism, & Slander.” Callie tried to make the case that Christian right-wing homophobes were the cause behind the Orlando massacre, if not directly, then by fairly close secondary causation. I opposed that, and made the case, that it was... Read more

Orlando, “Homophobia”, Terrorism, & Slander

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:18 pm By Dave Armstrong

Omar Mateen: the jihadi / ISIS terrorist who killed 50 and wounded 53 in Orlando [You Tube video / Creative Commons You Tube license] *** The mass murder in Orlando was detestable, outrageous, and abominable: unthinkably wicked: from the very pit of hell. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the victims and as Catholics, we can still pray for the dead victims, too. May God comfort all of those who have been tragically affected by this evil... Read more

Papal Infallibility Doctrine (History)

Last updated on: February 25, 2017 at 12:19 pm By Dave Armstrong

(Including Luther’s Dissent at the Leipzig Disputation in 1519) Leipzig Disputation, by Julius Hübner (1806-1882) [public domain / Wikimedia Commons] *** (10-8-07) *** It would be a complex discussion regarding what exactly constitutes the equivalent of infallibility, if the word itself is not present. There are many similar notions such as papal authority, conciliar authority, papal primacy, headship, papal supremacy, indefectibility, being without error, the impossibility of disagreeing with a papal proclamation without one’s orthodoxy being questioned, etc. All of... Read more