April 11, 2018

April 11, 2018 By

I have written a book defending Pope Francis as well, called Pope Francis Explained: Survey of Myths, Legends, and Catholic Defenses in Harmony with Tradition. That was published relatively early in his papacy (January 2014), but I think I still amply illustrate the false premises, dubious “facts” and inadequate logic and faulty interpretation often utilized in the ongoing critiques and outright bashing.

I wrote two articles that might be regarded as mildly critical of the pope. It has been my position that it would be good and helpful for him to reply as regards the five dubia: “I Hope the Pope Will Provide Some Much-Needed Clarity” (National Catholic Register, 9-30-17). I would say that this is “very gentle advice and encouragement.”

I was also quite critical (in March 2018) of his practice of repeatedly doing interviews with an atheist (Eugenio Scalfari) who has a lamentable record of distorting the pope’s alleged “words” in public, thus causing scandal (regarding the doctrine of hell). This involves matters of prudence and methodology, not theology (as with the other one).

See also my collection of 336 articles (as of 9-27-24) from others: “Pope Francis Defended: Resources for Confused Folks”.

I have categorized the many articles below under alphabetized topics, for greater ease of access and reference. All articles were published on my Patheos blog (Biblical Evidence for Catholicism) unless otherwise indicated.

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God bless you, brother! You are doing a great work! Defending Pope Francis from all of the caricatures and slander can be exhausting, as well as frustrating. And the anti-Francis mob has become fanatical. At times, it seems so many of them just end up angrily and incoherently rambling, and they tend to fall so far away from the pope’s actual words that one is left wondering… “Huh?” And the sheer volume of words can be daunting. But God bless you for cutting through the thick jungles of words and defending very simply “what the pope actually said…”

— Catholic Answers apologist and author Tim Staples on my Facebook page, 9-16-21

Amoris Laetitia

Amoris Laetitia: Pope Francis’ “1968 Moment” [4-8-16]

Defenses of Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia [4-9-16]

More Defenses of Amoris Laetitia & Pope Francis [4-26-16]

Satan Loves Divisions Re Amoris Laetitia [5-2-16]

Dialogue: Amoris Laetitia: Confusing or No? [5-3-16]

Amoris Laetitia, “Trads” & Reactionaries [5-4-16]

Buzzing, Mosquito-Like Trashers of Amoris Laetitia [5-6-16]

Amoris Laetitia Has Already Been Clarified Many Times, Including by High-Ranking Cardinals [11-16-16]

Dr. Robert Fastiggi Defends Amoris Laetitia Against Critics [10-3-17]

Review: The Orthodoxy of Amoris Laetitia (Pedro Gabriel) [5-10-22]

 

Capital Punishment

Jesus, the Death Penalty, & the Adulterous Woman [8-2-18]

Burning Heretics, Frying Murderers, & Slavery (Analogies) [8-3-18]

Steve Skojec: Pope Sez Death Penalty is Intrinsically Evil (?) [10-8-20]

Death Penalty, Reactionaries, & a Devious Liar-Pope? [10-10-20]

Three Popes & Capital Punishment (vs. Ed Feser) (with Catholic Theologian Dr. Robert Fastiggi) [10-20-20]

 

Celibacy, Priestly

Pope Francis: Strong Defender of Priestly Celibacy [1-14-20]

 

Chilean Sexual Abuse Scandal

Pope’s Chilean Abuse Apology Troubles Simcha Fisher [4-12-18]

 

“Confusing” Pope Francis?

Does Pope Francis Have “Foot-in-the-Mouth” Disease? [1-22-15]

Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis [4-28-16]

“Confusing” Pope Francis & Prudent Public Discussion [6-22-16]

 

Contraception / Procreation

Dialogue: Has Pope Francis Changed the Constant Catholic Prohibition of Contraception? [1-2-14]

Pope Francis and Catholics Reproducing Like “Rabbits” [1-21-15]

“Irresponsible” Pope Francis? (Woman Who Had Seven C-Sections) [1-23-15]

Pope Francis: 7 C-Sections is “Irresponsible” (Group Discussion) [1-23-15]

 

Criticism of  Pope Francis and Other Popes / “Papal Bashing” / Honoring Popes

Folks Willing to Understand Pope Francis, Can; Unwilling Won’t [1-18-14]

Peter Kwasniewski, Fr. Thomas Kocik and a Growing Chorus Disagree with Pope Benedict XVI Regarding the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite Mass (Or, Reports of the Death of the Reform of the Reform are Greatly Exaggerated)  [+ Part Two] [2-24-14]

Denunciations of Incessant Bashing of Pope Francis [2-22-15]

The Ridiculous “Anti-Francis” Mentality: My Theory in Brief [12-7-15]

Ratzinger: Avoid Criticizing Church in “Mass Media”  [6-26-16]

On Rebuking Popes & Catholic Obedience to Popes [12-27-17]

On Rebuking Popes & Obedience to Popes, Part II [12-28-17]

“Nothing New”: Reactionary Attacks on Pope St. John Paul II [4-9-05; with tie-in end note added on 3-2-18]

Dialogue: Sharp Inquiring Protestant vs. Pope-Bashing Catholic [3-6-18]

Dialogues w Critics & Disparagers of Pope Francis [3-6-18]

Popes Leading the Church Into False Doctrine (E.g., Paul VI) [3-8-18]

Reactionaries Begin Savage Attacks on Pope Benedict [3-17-18]

Negative Reactionary Views of Popes Since 1958 [3-18-18]

Honoring Popes / Scriptural Honor of Even Wicked Rulers [11-30-17; some additions on 3-26-18]

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On the Widespread, Iniquitous Anti-Francis Mentality [originally 11-27-19; published at Catholic365 on 11-21-23]

Pope Francis (and Others) and Analogies to Jesus (Explanation of a Widely Misunderstood Aspect of Analogical Arguments) [1-6-20]

Dialogue w Timothy Flanders #2: State of Emergency? [2-25-20]

St. Paul’s Rebuke of St. Peter = Francis-Bashing? [8-19-20]

If We Have to Constantly Defend Holy Scripture, How Much More the Pope? [Facebook, 10-23-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Fr. Peter Stravinskas & Irrational Pope Francis-Bashing: Sad Case Study in Taking the Holy Father’s Words Out of Context and Indefensibly Misrepresenting Them [4-15-21]

Pope Francis: Popes Can be Respectfully Criticized [7-21-21]

Reply to Fr. Thomas Weinandy: Pope Francis a Heretic? [9-21-21]

Pope Francis Did Not Say EWTN = “Work of the Devil” (Case Study in “Conservative” Catholic Media Bias, Which is Becoming as Problematic as Mainstream Liberal Media Bias) [9-22-21]

How Dare Pope Francis Defend the Church! (He’s Supposed to Not Utter a Peep About All the Slanderous, Worthless Gossip & Rumormongering Today Among Catholics) [9-24-21]

Some Catholics Hope Pope Francis Dies? Yes . . . [9-25-21]

Erasmus’ Criticism of Popes = Today’s Pope-Bashing? [11-10-21]

Now Pope Francis’ Press Conferences are Supposedly Unprecedented and Somehow Objectionable? [Facebook, 10-6-22]

Pope Francis-Bashing Evolving Into Pope Benedict Tin Foil Hat Conspiratorialism (A Sad Case Study) [Facebook, 10-10-22]

Too Many Papal Critics or Bashers Exhibit the Heretical Spirit of John Wycliffe [Facebook, 8-10-23]

Leila Marie Lawler: Self-Appointed Pope-Basher / Papal Indefectibility Taught at Vatican I [Facebook, 9-27-23]

Tragic Bp. Strickland & Reaction from the Usual Suspects [11-14-23]

Bishop Strickland: The Writing Was on the Wall [Catholic365, 11-16-23]

“Respectful Criticism” of the Pope Quickly Morphs Into Impious Pope-Bashing [originally 9-30-21; revised for Catholic365 on 11-17-23]

Ed Feser’s “Respectful and Reserved Criticism” of the Holy Father (?) [Catholic365, 11-29-23]

Pedro Gabriel’s Masterful Heresy Disguised As Tradition [12-18-23]

So-Called “Conservative” Catholic Media and “Conservative” American Catholicism Have Gone to Hell (Big Pulpit and Fiducia Supplicans) [Facebook, 12-23-23]

Bible on the Disgraceful Attitude & Behavior of So Many Pope-Bashers [Facebook, 12-24-23]

Bible on Deference to Popes & Leaders, & Disobedience [12-26-23]

Get it Right! Yours Truly on Papal Criticism (from the Year 2000) and on My Distinctions Among Papal Critics (2018) [Facebook, 1-13-24]

Pope-Criticism: Ultra-Rare, Private, & Saintly (Reply to Clueless Accusations That I Supposedly Think Popes Should Never be Criticized At All, & Make No Distinctions Whatsoever Concerning Papal Critics) [1-15-24]

St. Ignatius of Antioch [50-110 or 117] on Submission to the Bishop [Facebook, 1-25-24]

Yes, James White; the Pope Is Infallible, Now, Just As He Always Has Been (I Educate Him as to Where Caving on the Nature of Marriage Has Actually Occurred) [Facebook, 2-26-24]

I Never Regarded Bp. Strickland Or Cdl. Burke As “Heretics”: Contra John Martignoni’s Repeated Claims to the Contrary [3-8-24]

Off-the-Cuff Comments on the Continuing Pathetic, Study-Challenged Pope-Bashing [Facebook, 9-27-24]

The Cynical “Narrative” Regarding Pope Francis from the Pope-Bashers and Papal Nitpickers (and Nattering Naysaying Nabobs of Never-Ending Negativism in General) [Facebook, 9-27-24]

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Deaconesses

Deaconesses: Examination of Biblical & Patristic Data (Dave Armstrong, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 5-12-16)

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Development of Doctrine

Pope Francis, Cardinal Newman, & Fresh (Orthodox) Presentations [1-29-18]

Dr. Echeverria: Francis Wants Development, Not Revolution [5-28-19]

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Divorce
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Douthat, Ross / To Change the Church

Douthat’s Flawed Critique of “Conservative” Catholicism [3-2-16]

Douthat’s To Change the Church: Mini-Debate w Karl Keating [3-24-18]

Protestant Takes Solace in Douthat’s Pope-Bashing Book (also discusses Phil Lawler) [3-24-18]

Douthat’s Pope-Bashing Book Attacks Vatican II [3-24-18]

Debate on Ross Douthat’s Critical Views of Vatican II [3-26-18]

 

Dubia / Cardinal Burke

Pope Francis on Cardinal Burke (+ Discussion) [Facebook, 12-8-14]

Pope Francis Did Answer the Dubia (Dr. Robert Fastiggi) (It Was Also Answered [with the Same Answers] by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2019) [9-27-21]

Pope Francis Has Answered the Five Dubia in His Teachings (+ Legitimate Biblical & Spiritual Reasons for His Not Directly Answering Particularly Accusatory, Ill-Willed, & Wrongminded Critics) [8-3-23]

 

Ecumenism and World Religions

Pope Francis & the Diversity of Religions (The Sedevacantist Outfit Novus Ordo Watch Lies Yet Again About Pope Francis) [11-29-20]

 

Encyclicals

Are Modern Papal Encyclicals Too Long? [7-9-15]

 

Environmentalism / Theology of Creation

Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato si: A Beautiful and Profoundly Wise Statement of Christian Environmentalism and Theology of Creation [6-18-15]

Critique of Chris Ferrara’s Radical Reactionary Hit-Piece in Opposition to Pope Francis’ Christian Environmentalism [6-20-15]

 

Eucharist / Transubstantiation

No, Pope Francis Did Not Deny Transubstantiation (Phenomenological Language in Holy Scripture and in the Addresses of Pope Francis) [6-25-19]

Pope Francis & Transubstantiation (vs. Sedevacantists) [7-2-19]

 

Evangelism and Apologetics / The Gospel

Dialogue: Pope Francis Doesn’t Evangelize? [4-29-16]

Pope Francis Condemns Evangelism? Absolutely Not! [10-17-16]

Is Pope Francis Against Apologetics & Defending the Faith? [11-26-19]

Debate: Pope Francis on Doctrine, Truth, & Evangelizing (vs. Dr. Eduardo Echeverria) [12-16-19]

Dialogue: Pope Francis vs. Gospel Preaching & Converts? No! (vs. Eric Giunta) [1-3-20]

Abp. Viganò Whopper #289: Pope Forbids All Evangelism (?) [4-8-20]

Pope, Peter, & Paul: Evangelize; Don’t Proselytize [4-28-20]

Pope Francis vs. the Gospel? Outrageous & Absurd Lies! (Anti-Catholic Protestant James White and Catholic Reactionary Steve Skojec Echo Each Other’s Gigantic Whoppers) [5-26-20]

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“Filial Correction” / Correctio and Formal Criticism  of June 2016

Is Pope Francis Wrong? Thoughts on the “Filial Correction” [9-24-17]

Radical Reactionary Affinities in “Filial Correction” Signatories [9-28-17]

Reactionary Influence: Correctio & June 2016 Criticism of the Pope [10-3-17; expanded on 1-24-18]

 

Foot-Washing

Pope Francis, Foot-Washing, & Humility [with Pete Vere, 3-13-13 and 3-30-13]

Pope Francis Foot-Washing Controversy Redux  [3-26-16]

 

Fundamentalism: Catholic and Otherwise

Kwasniewski vs. Pope Francis Re “Fundamentalism” (Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI Fully Concur with Pope Francis) [12-9-20]

Pope Francis’ Proper Use of the Term “Fundamentalism” (. . . and the Similar Sociologically Proper Use of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II) [12-28-20]

 

Hell, Satan, and Demons / Demon Possession

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #3: The Pope Annihilated Hell? [1-2-18]

Pope Francis, Hell, Phil Lawler, Lies, Damned Lies, . . . [3-30-18]

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Heretic Popes? / Papal Indefectibility

Pope Francis Accusers Reject Magisterial Teaching on Popes (The pope’s teaching is indefectible and cannot be judged or “overruled” by any man: or even an ecumenical council) [7-23-20]

Pastor Aeternus (1870): Can a Pope Ever Make Heresy Binding? (Dr. Robert Fastiggi and Ron Conte; edited by Dave Armstrong, in Response to Timothy Flanders) [12-1-20]

The “Spirit of Defectibility” & “Quasi-Defectibility” [Catholic365, 11-22-23]

 

Homosexuality and Same-Sex Unions

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #2: Homosexuality & “Judging” [1-2-18]

Pope Francis, Same-Sex Unions, & Chicken Little Mass Hysteria [10-22-20]

“Gay Unions”: Leftist & Reactionary Catholics vs. Pope & CDF [3-23-21]

Pope Francis vs. Same-Sex “Marriage”: The Record [3-25-21]

Pope Francis’ “Endorsement” of Fr. James Martin, SJ (Does it Entail a Denial of Church Teaching on Gravely Disordered Homosexual Sex?) [6-30-21]

Fiducia Supplicans (On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings) (12-18-23) [Facebook, 12-18-23]

Further Off-the-Cuff Thoughts on the “Gay Blessings” Tempest [Facebook, 1-1-24]

 

“Insulting” Pope Francis?

St. Paul: Far More of an “Insulter” Than Pope Francis [4-11-18]

 

Jesus / Christology

Does Pope Francis Think that Jesus Was a Sinner? (. . . Beyond Bearing Our Sins on the Cross; i.e., Partaking / Entering Into Sin)? [2-27-14]

Christ “Became the Sinner”: Pope Francis and Bad Translators [Seton Magazine, 1-21-15]

Pope Francis Espoused a Sinning Jesus? Think Again [1-8-16]

 

Keating, Karl, The Francis Feud

Keating & The Francis Feud: Six Errors Documented [6-2-18]

Review of Keating’s Francis Feud Removed, w Apology [12-24-18]

 

Kissing the Papal Ring / Papal Attire and Related Customs

Papal Ring-Kissing, Gossip, & Pharisaical Nitpicking [3-29-19]

Legalism Re Pope Francis & Papal Attire (Mozzetta) [7-10-20]

 

Lawler, Phil / Lost Shepherd

Quasi-Defectibility and Phil Lawler vs. Pope Francis [12-28-17]

Dialogues with Karl Keating & Phil Lawler on Pope Francis [12-29-17]

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #1: Critique of Introduction [1-1-18]

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #4: Communion / Buenos Aires Letter [1-3-18]

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #5: Jerusalem Council vs. “Ideology” [1-3-18]

My Critiques of Lawler’s Lost Shepherd / Exchanges w Karl Keating [1-7-18]

Shock! Former Catholic Rod Dreher Loves Lawler’s Pope-Bashing Book [2-22-18]

Phil Lawler’s Lost Shepherd: My One-Star Amazon Review [2-26-18]

Reply to Stephen Phalen Re Phil Lawler’s Lost Shepherd  [3-10-18]

Phil Lawler’s Mythical Private Letter (Unfruitful Discussion) [3-10-18]

Merits of Phil Lawler’s Lost Shepherd: Three Common Fallacies [3-12-18]

Lawler Hypocritically Acts Like He Claims Pope Francis Does [4-28-18]

Keating & The Francis Feud: Six Errors Documented [6-2-18]

Phil Lawler: No Proof Pope Francis is a Heretic [3-5-21]

 

Liturgy / Mass

Pope Francis’ Traditionis Custodes is for the Sake of Unity [7-16-21]

Skojec Loathes Traditionis; Illustrates Why it is Necessary [7-19-21]

Catholics (?) Trash, Judge, & Mind-Read the Pope (In 1968, “all” the liberal Catholics rejected Humanae Vitae. Now in 2021, “all” the self-described “conservative” Catholics reject Traditionis Custodes — and none see the outright absurdity and irony of this) [7-20-21]

Traditionalist Fr. Chad Ripperger Critiques Traditionalism [7-21-21]

Traditionis Custodes: Sky Hasn’t Fallen (Bishops) [8-2-21]

Dialogue w Traditionalist “Hurt” by Traditionis Custodes [8-2-21]

Traditionis Custodes Results: No Fallen Sky (I Called It) [9-6-21]

Traditionis Custodes: Sky Still Intact After Two Months [9-14-21]

 

Marriage 

Pope Francis: Pro-Marriage & Contra “Marital Skepticism” [1-29-18]

 

Marxism

Random Thoughts on Rush Limbaugh’s Comments on the Pope’s Alleged “Marxism” [Facebook, 12-5-13]

 

Mary, Blessed Virgin

Is Pope Francis Guilty of Blasphemy and Departure from All Catholic Mariological Tradition in His Comments on the Possible Momentary Temptation of Mary at the Cross? [1-19-14]

Yes, Virginia, the Pope Believes Mary is Immaculate [12-29-18]

Pope Francis vs. the Marian Title “Co-Redemptrix”? (+ Documentation of Pope Francis’ and Other Popes’ Use of the Mariological Title of Veneration: “Mother of All”) [12-16-19]

Pope Francis’ Deep Devotion to Mary (Esp. Mary Mediatrix) [12-23-19]

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Merit

Does Pope Francis Deny the Catholic Doctrine of Merit? No [7-1-19]

 

Miscellaneous / General

Reply to a Critique of My Book, Pope Francis Explained, by Dr. Phil Blosser [8-24-14]

Exchange on Pope Francis and the Church [vs. Tony Jokin; Facebook, 12-17-14]

Jeremiad on Stupefied Anti-Francis Mentalities (w Paul Hoffer) [1-22-15]

Forcing Pope Francis Into Our Own Image [9-18-15]

On the Endless Second-Guessing of Pope Francis [2-25-16]

The Real & the Imaginary Pope Francis [6-27-16]

Dialogues with Karl Keating Regarding Pope Francis [12-29-17]

Am I a “Pope Francis Defender”? (Statement of Intent & Purpose) [11-5-19]

Fr. Z Asks for Pro-Francis “Compendium”. I Provide It [3-9-21]

“Pope Francis is So Confusing!”: A Spirited Reply (The Sad and Slanderous Promotion of a “False Narrative” Concerning Pope Francis’ Supposedly Massive Errors) [9-7-21]

 

Modernists / Theological Liberals / Dissidents / Heterodox / Heresy

Swishy Bishops, Liberal Dissidents, & “PR” Regarding Pope Francis [3-6-14]

Why is Pope Francis So Loved by Theological Liberals? [2-21-15]

Pope Francis: Obsessed with “Change”? [5-14-16]

Is Pope Francis a Heretic?: Options and Respectful Speculations on the Synod on the Family, Amoris Laetitia and Practical Applications [12-13-16]

The Orthodoxy of Pope Francis [9-6-21]

Pope Francis the “Heterodox Liberal” (?????) (He’s Against Contraception, Cohabitation, Same-Sex “Marriage”, Abortion, Euthanasia, & Biomedical Reproduction Technology: in Five Paragraphs) [9-29-21]

 

“Pachamama” Hysteria and Controversy / Amazon Synod

“Pachamama” [?] Statues: Marian Veneration or Blasphemous Idolatry? [11-5-19]

“Pachamama” Fiasco: Hysterical Reactionaryism, as Usual [11-8-19]

“Pachamama” Confusion: Fault of Vatican or Catholic Media? [11-12-19]

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Alexander Tschugguel, Taylor Marshall, & God’s Wrath (Dave Armstrong, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 3-19-20)
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Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis
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Pro-Life / Anti-Abortion / Catholic Social Teaching

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Must the Pope Explicitly Mention Abortion to Congress? [9-24-15]

Pope Francis’ Strongly Pro-Life Comments to the UN (“Both/And”!) [9-25-15]

Pope Francis: All Life: Preborn and Born, is “Equally Sacred” [4-9-18]

 

Reactionaries

Radical Catholic Reactionary Super-Site Rorate Caeli‘s “Cherished Friend” and Featured Pope-Basher, Marcelo González, is a Holocaust Revisionist [4-8-13]

Pope Francis and Pope Benedict Refer to “Extreme Traditionalism” [8-5-13]

Discussion on the Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, Especially in Relation to Radical Catholic Reactionaries [Facebook, 11-26-13]

Opposition to Extreme Anti-Francis Bias: Elliot Bougis [2-28-14]

Debate with Hilary White: Masonic “Bergoglianism” or Catholicism? [2-16-16]

Classic Reactionaryism: Skojec Disses Cardinal Burke (Over Amoris Laetitia) [4-12-16]

Dr. Fastiggi & Dr. Goldstein Debate Dr. Shaw Regarding Pope Francis [10-9-17]

Dr. Joseph Shaw Apes “Reformers” (“Ambiguous” Catholic Documents) [10-11-17]

Dr. Fastiggi’s “Exchange” with Correctio Signatory Chris Ferrara [10-12-17]

Is Pope Francis Opposed to Catholic Traditionalism, or Only to the Extreme Reactionaries? [Facebook, 9-13-19]

Pope Francis’ Emphasis on Criticizing Reactionaries (A Theory) [12-30-19]

 

Sire, Henry / The Dictator Pope

Henry Sire of Dictator Pope Infamy: Reactionary Extremist [3-27-18]

 

Temper / Anger

Pope Francis’ Slap & Loss of Temper (Close Examination) [1-2-20]

 

Ultramontanism / Papolatry (common charges against papal defenders)

My Supposed “Papolatry”: Outrageous Reactionary Lies [8-26-21]

 

Vatican I (1870)

Peter Kwasniewski: Gotta Exorcise Vatican I (1870) [12-4-20]

Newman on Infallibility & Vatican I (vs. One Peter Five) [Catholic365, 11-24-23]

 

“Vicar of Christ”

The Remnant’s Anti-Francis Insanity (“Vicar of Christ”) [4-7-20]

 

Bishops Viganò & Schneider: The Extreme Anti-Francis Fringe Among the Bishops

Bishops Viganò & Schneider Reject Authority of Vatican II [11-22-19]

Viganò, Schneider, Pachamama, & VCII (vs. Janet E. Smith) [11-25-19]

Abp. Viganò Descends into Fanatical Reactionary Nuthood (. . . Declares Pope Francis a Heretical Narcissist Who “Desacralized” & “Impugned” & “Attack[ed]” Mary) [12-20-19]

Abp. Viganò, the Pope, & the “Vicar of Christ” Nothingburger (with Catholic Theologian Dr. Robert Fastiggi and Apologist Karl Keating) [4-6-20]

Thoughts on Abp. Viganò & the Continuing “Wacko-ization” & Fanaticism of the Anti-Francis Mentality [Facebook, 6-14-20]

Abp. Viganò: Fanaticism, Extremism, and Conspiratorialism (Summary from August 2019 Until July 2020: Alarming, Increasingly Quasi-Schismatic Spirit) [7-13-20]

What’s So Bad About Abp. Viganò? (Traditionalists Ask) [7-14-20]

Anti-Francis = Anti-Vatican II (You Heard it Here First) [7-16-20]

Bp. Schneider Evokes Luther’s Disdain for Councils [7-17-20]

Viganò’s Outrageous Lie Re Pope Benedict XVI & Tradition (Unwillingness to Make Even Rudimentary Efforts to Consult Context or to Understand a Pope’s Overall Thinking) [8-21-20]

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See also my collection of 336 articles (as of 9-27-24) from others: “Pope Francis Defended: Resources for Confused Folks”.

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Photo credit: Swiss Guard at the Vatican. Photo by gunthersimmermacher (9-8-15) [Pixabay / CC0 Creative Commons license]

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Total of 240 articles.

Last updated on 27 September 2024

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July 8, 2015

July 8, 2015 By
PopeFrancis3
Pope Francis, 8-17-14 in South Korea [Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license]
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See also my own articles: Replies to Critiques of Pope Francis [240 as of 9-27-24]


I wrote on 9-20-13:

For all of you out there worried about the pope. Relax; chill. All is well. We have a pope who says the unexpected: a lot like Jesus. And, like Jesus, those who don’t get it and are outside looking in, will misunderstand, and those who are in the fold will grasp what is being said, in the context of historic Catholic teaching, if they look closely enough and don’t get hoodwinked by silly media wishful thinking.

Those who are outside often hear only what they want to hear (God loves everyone, even sinners!!!) and not what they need to hear (stop sinning; stop this sin . . .).

I wrote in a letter to a friend:

It’s the same old dumb misunderstandings: media misreports what the pope said; never understand what he means in context, and in context with past teachings. Don’t fall into their trap! Pope Francis is a good Catholic; nothing to be alarmed about at all. The world wants Christians to renounce their teachings. We’re the guys who have never done so. We keep the same moral teaching that the Church had from the beginning: no abortion, no divorce, no contraception, no same-sex “marriages,” etc. Virtually no one else has done so! So the attack is against us to change traditional morality, and we will never do that.

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1. Nine things you need to know about Pope Francis’s inaugural Mass (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 3-17-13)

2. Should We Be Concerned About Pope Francis’s Inaugural Mass? (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 3-18-13)

3. Pope Francis on Homosexual Unions (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 3-20-13)

4. Behind the Campaign to Smear the Pope (Mary Anastasia O’Grady, Crisis / The Wall Street Journal, 3-22-13)

5. How Should We Understand Pope Francis Washing Women’s Feet? (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 3-28-13)

6. Pope Francis, Foot-Washing, & Humility (Pete Vere & Dave Armstrong, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 3-13-13 and 3-30-13)

7. Pope Francis and lying to save life  (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 5-15-13)

8. Dreadful Misleading Headline of Catholic Online Pins Heresy on Pope (Brian Kelly, Catholicism.org, 5-23-13)

9. Did Pope Francis Say That Atheists Can Get to Heaven by Good Works? (Jimmy Akin, JimmyAkin.com, 5-24-13)

10. Did Pope Francis poke Protestants in the eye? (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 6-4-13)

11. Seven things you need to know about what Pope Francis said about gays (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 7-29-13) 

12. Pope Francis and the Franciscan Friars (Michelle Arnold, Catholic Answers, 7-30-13)

13. Don’t Tell the Press: Pope Francis Is Using Them (Elizabeth Scalia, First Things, 7-30-13)

14. Franciscans of the Immaculate decree worries traditionalists (Catholic News Agency, 7-30-13)

15. On the Pope’s Remarks about Homosexuality (Scott P. Richert, Crisis, 8-1-13)

16. What Did the Pope Really Say about Gays in the Priesthood?  (Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M. Cap., Crisis, 8-5-13)

17. Pope Francis Will Enliven the Benedict Legacy (Jeffrey Tucker, Crisis, 8-12-13)

18. What should we make of Pope Francis bowing when greeting people?  (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 8-30-13)

19. Is Pope Francis about to eliminate celibacy? (9 things to know and share) (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 9-12-13) 

20. What Pope Francis really said about atheists (Stephen Kokx, Catholic Vote, 9-13-13)

21. Did Pope Francis say atheists don’t need to believe in God to be saved? (9 things to know) (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 9-15-13)

22. Pope Francis Focuses on the Bigger Picture With New Interview (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register,  9-20-13)

23. Pope condemns abortion as product of ‘throwaway culture’ (Francis X. Rocca, Catholic News Service, 9-20-13)

24. Francis Confounds the Associated Press (Elizabeth Scalia, The Anchoress, 9-20-13)

25. Francis and Benedict, Peter and John (Thomas L. McDonald, God and the Machine, 9-20-13)

26. Pope Francis and His Critics  (Scott P. Richert, Crisis, 9-23-13)

27. The Mission of Pope Francis, S. J. (Michelle Arnold, Catholic Answers, 9-23-13)

28. Report: Pope Excommunicates Priest for Supporting Gay Marriage, Female Priest (Dr. Susan Berry, Breitbart, 9-24-13)

29. The Papal Interview: A Survey of Reactions  (Joseph Meaney, Crisis, 9-25-13) 

30. Pope Francis and ‘The Interview’ (Abp. Charles Chaput, CatholicPhilly.com, 9-25-13)

31. Pope Francis: Every Unborn Child Has the Lord’s Face (Andrew M. Greenwell, Esq., Catholic Online, 9-26-13)

32. A Big Heart Open to God: The exclusive [complete] interview with Pope Francis (Antonio Spadaro, S. J., America, 9-30-13)

33. Did Pope Francis just say that evangelization is “nonsense”? 8 things to know and share  (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 10-1-13)

34. Is Pope Francis about to “rip up” the Vatican constitution? 12 things to know and share (Jimmy Akin,  National Catholic Register, 10-2-13)

35. The Pope’s Pro-Life Declaration “in Context”  (Dr. William Oddie, Crisis, 10-3-13)

36. Pope Francis’s new letter to homosexual Catholics (9 things to know and share)  (Jimmy Akin,  National Catholic Register, 10-11-13)

37. Is Pope Francis going to let the divorced and remarried receive Communion?  (Jimmy Akin,  National Catholic Register, 10-22-13)

38. Papal Style: Caring for Souls while Leaving Doctrinal Exposition to Others (Dr. William Oddie , Crisis, 11-19-13)

39. Pope’s words in interview may not have been his own, Scalfari says (Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency,  11-21-13)

40. Only Fools RUSH in Where Angels Fear to Tread: Limbaugh Excoriates Pope Francis Unfairly (Fr. John Trigilio, 11-30-13)

41. Would Someone Just Shut That Pope Up? (Patrick J. Deneen, The American Conservative, 12-5-13; mostly about economics)

42. Pope Francis addresses Marxism charges, women cardinals in La Stampa interview (Catherine Harmon, The Catholic World Report, 12-15-13)

43. Pope Francis takes on allegations and rumors about his papacy: 9 things to know and share  (Jimmy Akin,  National Catholic Register, 12-15-13)

44. Pope Benedict Defends Francis on Markets and Ethics (Andrew M. Haines, 12-16-13, Ethika Politika)

45. Pope Francis on the “parable” of the loaves and fishes: 11 things to know and share  (Jimmy Akin,  National Catholic Register, 1-1-14)

46. Don’t fall for this Pope Francis hoax: 5 things to know and share (Jimmy Akin,  National Catholic Register, 1-2-14)

47. What did Pope Francis say about the children of homosexual couples? 8 things to know and share (Jimmy Akin,  National Catholic Register, 1-4-14)

48. Does Francis Really Have a Marxism Problem? (David Byrne, Crisis Magazine, 1-10-14)

49. Did Pope Francis baptize a baby whose parents aren’t married? 12 things to know and share (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 1-12-14)

50. Il Papa’s Not a Rollin’ Stone  (Christopher Manion, Crisis Magazine, 2-3-14)

51. The War on Pope Francis (M. Anthony Mills, Real Clear Religion, 2-3-14) [economics issues]

52. Quotes from Pope Francis [great website that notes the massive distortions and spin taking place about the pope; added on 2-8-14]

53. Judge Not (Tim Staples, Catholic Answers, 2-14-14) [Same-sex couples and homosexuality]

54. Did Pope Francis just diss apologists? 9 things to know and share (Jimmy Akin, 3-10-14)

55. Francis and Traditionalist Catholics (Alberto Carosa, The Catholic World Report,  3-12-14)

56. The Media’s Fictional Francis (John Paul Shimek, The Catholic World Report, 3-13-14)

57. Did Pope Francis tell a divorced and civilly remarried woman she could receive Holy Communion? (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 4-23-14)

58. Vatican responds to Francis’ call to Argentinian woman; more details emerge (Catherine Harmon, The Catholic World Report, 4-24-14)

59. Pope Francis: Zacchaeus and “legitimate redistribution” (Ed Morrissey, Hot Air, 5-9-14)

60. Breaking: Pope Francis is not an anarcho-capitalist (David Freddoso, Conservative Intelligence Briefing, 5-9-14)

61. Totally Missing the Pope Francis Story, Yet Again (Kathryn Jean Lopez , National Review Online, 5-9-14)

62. No scandal here: How the 20 couples married by Pope Francis were legit (Kevin Jones and Ann Schneible, Catholic News Agency, 9-15-14)

63. Sorry, But Media Coverage of Pope Francis is Papal Bull (Elizabeth Dias, Time,  10-29-14)

64. Is Pope Francis Duping Liberals on Marriage? (Paul Kengor, American Spectator, 11-21-14)

65. Pope Francis As Reformer, Evangelizer — And Doctrinal Conservative (National Public Radio; All Things Considered: review of The Great Reformer by Austin Ivereigh, 11-30-14)

66. What Hierarchy Really Means (By Eric Johnston, Crisis Magazine, 12-1-14)

67. The Pope’s True Agenda (William Doino, Jr., First Things, 12-1-14)

68. No, Pope Francis Did Not Call the Koran a “Prophetic Book of Peace” (Thomas L. McDonald, God and the Machine, 12-5-14)

69. Sorry, Fido. Pope Francis did Not say our pets are going to heaven (David Gibson, Religion News Service, 12-12-14)

70. Documentation: Pope Francis is Orthodox, Pro-Tradition and Against Modernism (Dan Marcum, Catholic Answers Forum, 1-9-15)

71. Are We Called to be Hated by the World? Pope Francis and the Problem of Likeability (John Clark, Seton Magazine, 1-15-15)

72. The predictable provocations of the Pope of Rome [“Rabbits” controversy] (Deacon Scott Dodge, 1-19-15)

73. Pope Francis and Catholic Rabbits–5 Points to Consider (Dr. Greg Popcak, Faith on the Couch, 1-20-15)

74. Feeling Devastated by What Pope Francis Says? Try These 3 Helpful Keys (Thomas Peters, Catholic Vote.org,  1-21-15)

75. On rabbits and number of offspring: What the Pope did and did not say (Vatican Insider, 1-22-15)

76. Pope Francis Shocks Liberals on Same-Sex “Marriage” (Paul Kengor, Crisis Magazine, 1-23-15)

77. Pope Francis surprised by misunderstanding of his words on family  (Catholic News Agency, 1-24-15)

78. When Pope Francis rips ‘proselytism,’ who’s he talking about? He really may not be talking about, or to, Catholics at all (John L. Allen, Jr., Crux, 1-27-15)
79. Is the Left’s Honeymoon with Pope Francis Finally Over? (Paul Kengor, Crisis Magazine, 2-17-15)

80. VIP treatment for LGBT group at the Vatican? Not really  (Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency / EWTN News, 2-19-15)
 
81. Is Pope Francis’ Papacy a New Front for the Left? (Kate O’Hare, Breitbart, 1-3-14)

82.   The game changer nobody has noticed [Pope Francis’ closing remarks to the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops] (Joe Garcia, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, 10-21-14)

83. Here We Go Again or “Lousy English Translations, Pt. CCXVIII” (Joe Garcia, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, 11-26-13)

84. Pope Francis: An Agenda Behind his Back? (Andrea Gagliarducci, MondayVatican, 2-23-15)

85. Concerning Recent Reports from the Blogosphere on the State of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (Fr. Angelo M. Geiger, Mary Victrix, 2-18-15)

86. Pope Francis Defends Human Nature Against Gender Radicals (Anne Hendershott, Crisis Magazine, 2-25-15)

87. Irish Liberals Have Second Thoughts on Pope Francis (John P. McCarthy, The Irish Echo, 2-25-15 / reprinted in Crisis Magazine, 3-2-15)

88. Can a Pope Be a Heretic? (Jacob W. Wood,  Crisis Magazine, 3-4-15)

89. Beware of the two faces of Pope Francis: he ain’t no liberal (Jemima Thackray [a liberal], The Telegraph, 1-22-15)

90. Notre Dame Prof Accuses Pope Francis of Being a Misogynist (Thomas P. Williams, Breitbart, 2-23-15)

91. Signs of Hope: The Benedict Bishop Bump (Thomas Peters, Catholic Vote, 3-4-15)

92. Foundless Francis Fantasies (Adam A. J. DeVille, The Catholic World Report, 3-6-15)

93. Demystifying the Pope Francis Enigma (Msgr. Hans Feichtinger, Crisis Magazine, 3-17-15)

94. Pope Francis ‘refuses’ gay French ambassador  (Henry Samuel, The Telegraph, 4-10-15)

95. Pope Francis: Removal of Differences Between Man and Woman Is the Problem, Not the Solution (Zenit, 4-15-15)

96. Pope Francis: Challenging and Humbling the Faithful (David Mills, Aleteia: Religion, 5-20-15)

97. I Am Not the Pope and Neither Are You (Constance T. Hull, Swimming the Depths, 5-27-15)

98. Did Pope Francis say it doesn’t matter what kind of Christian you are? 9 things to know (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 5-26-15)

99. Pope Francis: “Children have a ‘Right’ to a Mother and Father” (Paul Kengor, Crisis Magazine, 6-8-15)

100. Pope Francis simply doesn’t take sides (Dr. Jeff Mirus, CatholicCulture.org, 6-5-15)

101. Pope Francis and the Just Third Way (Michael D. Greaney, Homiletic & Pastoral Review, 6-13-15)

102. Draft of Environmental Encyclical Leaked! 12 Things to Know and Share (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 6-15-15)

103. Pope Francis’s Conservatism of Joy (Aaron Taylor, Ethika Politika, 6-22-15)

104. Fear Not, Faithful Catholics (Paul Kengor, Crisis Magazine, 6-25-15)

105. Pope Francis’s Puzzling Comments on Guns and War: The Clue to Understanding Laudato Si’ (Jennfer Fitz, Sticking the Corners, 6-22-15) 

106. A Prophetic Pope and the Tradition of Catholic Social Teaching (Fr. Robert Barron, Patheos, 7-14-15)

107. Pope Francis on Weapons: 12 things to know and share (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 6-27-15)

108. Pope Francis Against the World (Elizabeth Stoker Bruenig, New Republic, 7-30-15)
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109. The Pope on Immigration: The Real Story (Tom Trinko, American Thinker, 8-17-15)
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110. George Will’s Puerile Tantrum over Pope Francis (Paul E. Gottfried, Crisis Magazine, 9-25-15)
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111. Is Pope Francis Really a Liberal? (Glen A. Sproviero, The Imaginative Conservative, 9-23-15)
 *
112. Pope Francis on Intercommunion with Lutherans (Jimmy Akin, JimmyAkin.com, Nov. 2015)
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113. The other side of the Francis effect: Hypersensitivity and hysteria? (Jeff Mirus, Catholic Culture,  12-1-15)
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114. Trump, Clinton, and the Pope (Bill Donohue / Catholic League, 2-18-16)

115. Pope, Trump, and Immigration (Bill Donohue / Catholic League, 2-18-16)

116. Vatican: Pope Francis’ Comments About Donald Trump Not ‘Personal Attack or Instruction on How to Vote’ (Thomas D. Williams, Breitbart, 2-19-16)

117. Pope Francis Speaks on Hot-Button Issues: 9 Things to Know and Share (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 2-19-16)

118. Francis, Contraception, and the Zika Virus (Fr. Timothy V. Vaverek, The Catholic Thing, 2-25-16)

119. UK’s Mirror Incompetently Botches Easter Pope Story  (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 3-17-16)

120. Pope Francis’s New Document on Marriage: 12 Things to Know and Share (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 4-8-16)

121. Pope Francis Shatters Reformers’ Dreams with ‘Modern Family’ Document (Thomas D. Williams, Breitbart, 4-8-16) 

122. Interpreting Amoris Laetitia ‘through the lens of Catholic tradition’ (Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency, 4-8-16)

123. First Thoughts on “Amoris Laetitia” (Bishop Robert Barron, Aleteia, 4-8-16)

124. “True Innovations but Not Ruptures”: Cardinal Christoph Schönborn Presents “Amoris Laetitia” (Diane Montagna, Aleteia, 4-8-16)

125. Pope Affirms Traditional Marriage (Bill Donohue, Newsmax, 4-8-16)

126. Pope Francis’s revolution has been cancelled (Damian Thompson, The Spectator, 4-8-16)

127. Pope Francis on love in the family (Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, CatholicPhilly.com, 4-14-16)

128. Pope Francis is a social conservative (Tim Stanley, The Telegraph, 4-18-16)

129. Amoris Laetitia and the Progressive Pope Myth (Anthony S. Layne, Catholic Stand, 4-23-16)

130. Cardinal Müller: Magisterium on Remarried Divorcees Unchanged by Amoris Laetitia [cites precedent in both Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI] (Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register, 5-4-16)

131. Cardinal Müller: Amoris Laetitia is in line with previous teaching on Communion (Catholic Herald, 5-4-16)

132. The Bitter Sons Speak of Francis (David Mills, Ethika Politica, 11-3-15) 

133. Defend Him Against All Hazards: Newman on the Pope (David Mills, 10-24-14)

134. Pope Francis on Apologizing to Gays (And More): 6 things to know and share (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 6-28-16)

135. Pope Francis Condemned The Reform Of The Reform? Not Quite… (Jeff Ostrowski, Views from the Choir Loft, 2-23-15)

136. Framing the bottom line on opposition to Pope Francis (John L. Allen Jr., Crux, 7-17-16)

137. Pope okays Argentine doc on Communion for divorced and remarried (Inés San Martín, Crux, 9-12-16)

138. What Pope Francis said about Communion for the divorced-and-remarried (Catholic News Agency, 9-13-16)

139. Not heretical: Pope Francis’ approval of the Argentine bishops’ policy on invalid marriages (Dr. Jeff Mirus, Catholic Culture, 9-15-16)

140. How Pope Francis’ ‘new joy’ surprised Benedict XVI (Catholic News Agency, 9-12-16) [“Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has said he is satisfied with the papacy of Pope Francis . . . he sees ‘no breach anywhere’ between his pontificate and that of his successor. ‘New accents yes, but no contradictions,’ . . .”]

141. Pope Francis on “Proselytism” (Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers blog, 10-21-13)

142. Cardinal Schönborn: Pope Francis follows John Paul II’s teaching on communion (Catholic Herald, 4-8-16)

143. Is Pope Francis a Heretic? (+ Part II) (Tim Staples, Catholic Answers blog, October 3-4, 2016)

144. Amoris Laetitia – An Apologia for its Orthodoxy (Scott Smith, Reduced Culpability, 1-19-17)

145. Vatican’s Muller: No Communion For Divorced, Remarried — Not Even a Pope Can Change This (Michael W. Chapman, CNS News, 2-1-17)

146. Cardinal Müller, German bishops clash on interpretation of Amoris Laetitia (Catholic World News, 2-1-17)

147. Cardinal Müller: Communion for the remarried is against God’s law (Catholic Herald, 2-1-17)

148. Does Amoris Laetitia 303 Really Undermine Catholic Moral Teaching? (Robert Fastiggi & Dawn Eden Goldstein, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 9-26-17)

149. The document against the Pope’s “heresies”: it happened to Wojtyla too (Andrea Tornielli, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 9-27-17)

150. ‘Filial correction’ of pope marked by glaring hypocrisy, risible accusations (Stephen Walford, National Catholic Reporter, 9-28-17)

151. Cardinal Müller Speaks Out on ‘Amoris Laetitia,’ the Dubia and the Vatican [see highlighted passages about desired replies from the pope, and the need for dialogue, on Facebook] (Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register, 9-28-17)

152. Dr. Robert Fastiggi Defends Amoris Laetitia Against Critics (hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 10-3-17)

153. Defending Pope Francis (Amoris Laetitia) [+ Part Two] (Tim Staples, unknown date)

154. Donum Veritatis illegitimatizes the Filial Correction (Emmet O’Regan, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 10-3-17) 

155. Critics of Amoris laetitia ignore Ratzinger’s rules for faithful theological discourse (Robert Fastiggi & Dawn Eden Goldstein,  La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 10-4-17)

156. “The correctio? The method is incorrect: they do not discuss, they condemn” [Dr. Rocco Buttiglione] (Andrea Tornielli, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 10-5-17)

157. Dr. Fastiggi & Dr. Goldstein Debate Dr. Shaw Regarding Pope Francis (hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 10-9-17)

158. Dr. Fastiggi Replies to Dr. Brugger Regarding Amoris Laetitia (hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 10-12-17)

159. Dr. Fastiggi’s “Exchange” with Correctio Signatory Chris Ferrara (hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 10-12-17)

160. Recent Comments of Pope Francis Should Help to Quiet Papal Critics (Robert Fastiggi, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 11-28-17)

161. Pastoral Charity is the Key to Pope Francis’s Endorsement of the Buenos Aires Bishops’ Document (Robert Fastiggi, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 11-28-17)

162. No, Pope Francis Is Not Changing the Lord’s Prayer (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 12-11-17)

163. The Heretical Pope Fallacy (Emmet O’Regan, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 11-12-17)

164. “The approach a Pope takes is not what destroys the Church” (Andrés Beltramo Álvarez, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 12-23-17)

165. Vatican “Awards” for Abortion Activists? (Facebook discussion, featuring Paul Hoffer, 1-18-18)

166. Canon Law, Pope Francis, and Airplane Weddings [+ Part Two] (Pete Vere, Facebook, 1-19-18)

167. Pope Francis explains why he celebrated the airborne marriage of two flight attendants [+ Facebook discussion] (Nicole Winfield, America, 1-22-18)

168. Striking God’s Anointed One (Mark Mallett, The Now Word, 1-18-18)

169. Articles on Pope Francis and Sex Abuse Scandals in Chile (one / two / three / four / five) (2-18-18)

170. Development or Corruption? (Gerhard Cardinal Müller, First Things, 2-20-18)

171. Responding to the Five Dubia from Amoris Laetitia Itself (Dr. Robert Fastiggi, Vatican Insider / La Stampa, 3-9-18)

172. Ratzinger, “Francis with no theological formation? A foolish prejudice” (Andrea Tornielli, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 3-12-18)

173. Douthat’s Francis book is poorly sourced, inadequate journalism (Michael Sean Winters, National Catholic Reporter, 3-21-18)
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174. On Charging a Pope with Heresy (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 5-2-19)
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175.  Some Clarifications Regarding the Open Letter (Jimmy Akin, JimmyAkin.com, 5-3-19)
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176.  A Response to Peter Kwasniewski (Jimmy Akin, JimmyAkin.com, 5-4-19)
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177.  A Second Response to Peter Kwasniewski (Jimmy Akin, JimmyAkin.com, 5-5-19)
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178. Pope Francis On . . . [31 different issues] (Mark Mallett, The Now Word, 4-24-18)
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179. Pope Francis: Our Father Should Say “Abandon Us Not When in Temptation” (Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, LC, Through Catholic Lenses, 12-11-18)
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180. The Politically Incorrect Francis—14 Shocking Statements (Paul Kengor, Crisis Magazine, 3-22-19)
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181. Cardinal Sarah: To oppose the pope is to be outside the church (Cindy Wooden, National Catholic Reporter, 10-9-19)
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182. Clarity is Next to Godliness [atheist mythicist Scalfari claimed that Pope Francis denied Jesus’ divinity . . .] (Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers Magazine, 10-10-19) 
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183. Paganism in the Vatican? Hermeneutic of suspicion at its peak (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 10-16-19) 
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184. Our Lady of the Amazon, Pray for Us (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 10-16-19) 
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185. Our Lady of the Amazon: solving the contradictions (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 10-26-19) 
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186. Pachamama, Celibacy, and the Amazonian Synod (Trent Horn, Catholic Answers, 10-23-19; audio with transcript)

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187. Synod offers cautious support for married priests, study of women deacons (Inés San Martín and Christopher White, Crux, 10-26-19)
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*
189. Just the Facts: the Amazon Synod (Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers, 10-29-19)
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190. What Did Pope Francis Really Say About Married Priests? (Fr. Charles Grondin, Catholic Answers, c. 10-30-19)
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*
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193. Pachamama: Is It A Gotcha Mama for Enemies of Pope Francis? (“Catholic in Brooklyn”, 11-6-19)
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194. Pachamama – the missing piece of the puzzle (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 11-10-19)
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195. The Pachamama Primer (Dom Cornelius, Abbaye de Saint-Cyran, 10-27-19)
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196. Conservatism and Fideism: My answer to Ross Douthat (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 11-13-19)
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197. St. John Paul II: ‘Respect for life extends to the rest of creation’[Pope Francis was not the first to address environmentalism and ecology] (Deacon Greg Kandra, The Deacon’s Bench, 11-18-19)
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198. It was clearly idolatry! [“Pachamama” controversy] (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 12-1-19)
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199. Fr. Pacwa and divine signs [“Pachamama” controversy] (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 12-16-19)
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200. Is “Mother Earth” a Catholic Concept (Church Fathers)? (Rosemarie Scott, hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 12-17-19)
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201. Our Lady of the Amazon – 2018 Video Footage Emerges (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 10-17-19)
*
202. Pope Francis and Mary Co-Redemptrix (Robert Fastiggi, Where Peter Is, 12-27-19)
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203. Francis: Evangelize by Example, not Pushing Your Faith on Others (Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, Through Catholic Lenses, 12-23-19)
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204. On yanking and slapping hands (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 1-1-20)
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205. On the Church in China (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 2-13-18)
*
206. Perspective on the China/Vatican deal (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 9-30-18)
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207. China’s “other” cardinal (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 3-18-19)
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208. The infallibly erring Pope (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 1-3-20)
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209. Cardinal Burke’s Contradictory and Tenuous Position (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 1-6-20)
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210. Benedict kept his word (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 1-14-20)
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211. Pope Francis and the coredemptive role of Mary, the “Woman of salvation” (Mark Miravalle & Robert Fastiggi, La Stampa, 1-8-20)
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212. Making things right [hand-slapping incident: see #407, 409] (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 2-5-20)
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213. 8 Questions (and Answers) About the Pope’s New Document [Querida Amazonia] (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 2-12-20)
 *
*
215. Dr. Fastiggi: Open Letter Re Abp. Viganò, Pope Francis, & Mary (hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 2-22-20)
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216. Dr. Fastiggi Defends Pope Francis Re “Pachamama Idolatry” (hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 3-3-20)
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217. Pope Francis, the Corona Virus, and Nature (Jimmy Akin, JimmyAkin.com, 4-8-20)
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218. Criticizing the Critics (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 4-2-20)
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219. Is Archbishop Viganò in Schism? (Dr. Robert Fastiggi, Where Peter Is, 6-13-20)
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220. Silence according to Pope Francis (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 12-5-18)
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221. Silence: the shield against Suspicious Man (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 12-10-18)
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222. Why the Vatican is silent on Viganò (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 7-7-20)
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223. Pope Francis: Don’t be afraid that God has allowed different religions in the world (Carol Glatz, America, Catholic News Service, 4-3-19)
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225. Vigano: Radical Traditionalism Redivivus (Adam Rasmussen, Where Peter Is, 7-13-20)
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226. Exposing Viganò’s spurious theory of two councils (Adam Rasmussen, Where Peter Is, 7-14-20)
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227. The “Fake News” of Viganò and Company. Unmasked by a Cardinal [Cdl. Walter Brandmüller corrects the errors of Abp. Vigano and Bp. Schneider regarding the councils of Constance and Florence] (Sandro Magister, L’Espresso, 7-13-20)
*
*
229. Dr. Peters’ deer & hunter: death penalty & the inversion of roles” (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 4-12-20)
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230. The inanity of CTRL-F criticism [i.e., searching papal documents for key words & trying to “prove” they “aren’t Catholic”] (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 10-9-20)
*
231. Simply Inadmissible [regarding capital punishment & Pope Francis’ use of this term] (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 5-21-20)
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232. Pope Francis and Civil Unions: Critical Context (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 10-22-20)
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233. Those Pope Francis quotes: Video editing and media controversy” [same-sex unions controversy] (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 10-22-20)
*
234. Pope Francis’s Words on Civil Unions Distorted by Editing (Fr. Matthew Schneider, Through Catholic Lenses, 10-22-20)
*
235. Has Pope Francis changed Church teaching on same-sex civil unions? (Dawn Eden Goldstein & Robert Fastiggi, Where Peter Is, 10-22-20)
*
236. Full Text Proves Francis Meant Civil Unions INSTEAD OF “Gay Marriage” (Fr. Matthew Schneider, Through Catholic Lenses, 10-24-20)
*
*
238. Nuncio Further Clarifies Pope on Civil Unions (Fr. Matthew Schneider, Through Catholic Lenses, 11-5-20)
*
239. Which God’s Will?[Re: Diversity of Religions] (Dr. Randall B. Smith, The Catholic World Report, 11-15-19)
*
240. Pope Francis and Papal Authority under Attack (Dr. Robert Fastiggi, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 2-18-19)
*
241. Bellarmine, Taylor Marshall, and Ryan Grant on Papal Faith (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 8-1-20)
*
242. Vatican I taught that no Pope can teach heresy or be a heretic (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 7-23-20)
*
243. Dear 1Peter5, Your Claims about Gasser and Pighius are False (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 7-23-20)
*
244. Bishop Vincent Gasser to the fathers of Vatican I on papal faith (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 10-23-20)
*
245. The Errors of John Salza and Robert Siscoe on the Papacy (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 8-22-20)
*
246. Fr. Iannuzzi asks Can a Pope Become a Heretic? (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 3-22-17)
*
247. How the Canonization of Three Popes by Pope Francis utterly defeated the Papal Accusers (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 8-16-20)
*
248. The Argument from Past Papal Error is not Valid (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 8-13-20)
*
249. The Crypto-Schismatic Position called “Recognize and Resist” (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 8-8-20)
*
250. Is Taylor Marshall a sedevacantist? Yes. (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 7-31-20)
*
251. Reply to Carlo Vigano on Fratelli Tutti (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 10-7-20)
*
252. Every Papal Teaching is Free From Every Grave Error (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 10-8-20)
*
253. If Pope Francis is a heretic, how is he still Pope? (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 10-7-20)
*
254. Pope Pius IX Syllabus of Errors and Freedom of Religion (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 10-12-20)
*
255. Can a Pope intend to cause a Schism? (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 10-23-20)
*
256. Contra Raymond Leo Burke on Civil Unions (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 10-23-20)
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258. Has Pope Francis changed Church’s doctrine on Homosexuality? (Francis Figuero, The Reproach of Christ, 10-22-20)
*
259. Every Roman Pontiff is Indefectible (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 12-29-16)
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260. Summary of “The Indefectibility of the Roman Pontiff” (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., Catholicism.io, 4-30-19)
*
261. The Innocence of Pope Honorius (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 10-18-20)
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262. In Defense of Pope Honorius (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., Catholicism.io, 5-15-19)
*
263. Was Pope Honorius I a heretic? (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 9-17-16)
*
264. Popes Francis, Vigilius, Paul IV, and Ex Apostolatus Officio (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 12-19-19)
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265. The Innocence of Pope John XXII (Ronald L. Conte, Jr., The Reproach of Christ, 5-3-19)
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266. The Heretical Pope Fallacy (Emmett O’Regan, La Stampa / Vatican Insider, 12-11-17)
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267. Dr. Fastiggi on Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis, & Aquinas (Dr. Robert Fastiggi & Dave Armstrong; hosted on Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 2-1-21)
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268. Father Z, Challenge Accepted (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 3-5-21)
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269. I was not an ultramontanist then (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 3-5-21)
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270. Papal Indefectibility: Dr. Fastiggi vs. Fr. Z (hosted on Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 3-11-21)
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271. Can a Pope Become a Heretic? (Rev. Joseph L. Ianuzzi, STD, Ph.D)
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272. The Roman Pontiff: Immunity from Error and Never-failing Faith (collection of Catholic sources; compiled by Ronald L. Conte, Jr.)
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275. Traditionis Custodes: The Council and the Roman Rite (Adam Rasmussen, Where Peter Is, 7-16-21)
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276. Traditionis Custodes: In the Hope of Liturgical Reform (Daniel Amiri, Where Peter Is, 7-17-21)
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277. Et Cum Spiritu NoNo–The Demise of the Traditional Latin Mass Experiment (Monsignor Eric Barr, Thin Places, 7-17-21)
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278. Francis: The Pope We Need (Monsignor Eric Barr, Thin Places, 11-9-19)
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279. The modernist root of radical traditionalism (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 7-14-21)
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280. Pope Francis understands Fr. Martin—Do we? (Rachel Amiri, Where Peter Is, 7-2-21)
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281. Pope Francis’s Changes to the Latin Mass (Catholic Answers, 7-20-21)
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282. Traditionalism’s flawed approach to the Magisterium (Adam Rasmussen, Catholic Outlook, 1-19-21)
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283. Is Traditionis Custodes an Abuse of Papal Authority? (Michael Lofton, Reason & Theology, 8-17-21)
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284. Did the Pope Say the Commandments are Relative? (Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, LC, Through Catholic Lenses, 8-19-21)
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286. A Catholic moral panic, two years on [Pachamama] (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 10-24-21)
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287. Aquinas: Some Sins Worse Than Sexual Sins (Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, LC, 12-10-21)
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289. Does Cardinal Burke think Francis is an antipope? (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 10-18-21)
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290.  Does Amoris Laetitia untie the knots in Veritatis Splendor? (Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 7-4-22)
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291. Amoris, Veritatis, and things left unsaid (Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 7-22-22)
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292. Dr. Brugger and Papal Authority [contraception and Amoris Laetitia] (Robert Fastiggi, Where Peter Is, 8-12-22)
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293. Does Pope Francis Contradict The Council of Trent? [Desiderio Desideravi] (Robert Fastiggi, Where Peter Is, 9-17-22)
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295. Our Mother Mary & “Mother Earth” (Rosemarie Scott) (Rosemarie Scott, hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 4-4-23)
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296. Pope Francis upholds Catholic ban on contraception (Simon Caldwell, Catholic Herald, 5-2-23)
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297. Capital Punishment and Magisterial Authority (+ Part 2, Part 3, Part 4) (Robert Fastiggi, Where Peter Is, 8-17-23)
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298. 5 Things to Know About the Pope, St. Vincent of Lérins and Doctrinal Development [related to the pope’s statements on the death penalty] (Jimmy Akin, National Catholic Register, 8-31-23)
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299. Unofficial translation of pope’s response to Dubia 2.0 (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 10-2-23)
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300. Blessings undisguised: Debunking disinfo on Francis and gay unions (Dawn Eden Goldstein, Where Peter Is, 10-8-23)
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301. The ‘Hyperpapalist’ Straw Man (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 11-13-23)
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302. Cardinal Gerhard Muller on Papal Authority over Bishops (Ron Conte, The Reproach of Christ, 9-21-23)
*
303. Cardinal Müller and the Destruction of the Church (Rachel Amiri, Where Peter Is, 10-11-22)
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306. Pope Francis Does Not Support Homosexual Unions That Mimic Marriage (Tim Staples, Oct.? 2023)
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307. Papal Consistency on Same-sex Blessings (Deacon Tracy Jamison, Where Peter Is, 10-18-23)
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309. What Pope Francis said about Cardinal Burke (Austin Ivereigh, Where Peter Is, 11-29-23)
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310. Strickland, Voris, and Burke: The November Three (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 12-1-23)
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311. “Despite everything, always blessed” [blessings for homosexuals] (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 12-18-23)
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312. Catechism on the New Gay Blessings Document (by a “very holy priest” & Michael Lofton, Reason & Theology, 12-19-23)
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313. Demystifying ‘Fiducia Supplicans’: Answering 7 Frequently Asked Questions [blessings for homosexuals] (Pedro Gabriel, The City & the World, 12-20-23)
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314. If Social Media Was Around in Christ’s Day [satire] (anon. priest, Reason & Theology, 12-20-23)
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315. Blessings: A pastoral development anchored in tradition (Rocco Buttiglione, Vatican News, 12-20-23)
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316. Does The Catholic Church Now Allow Same-Sex Unions? (Fr. Pablo Migone, Labyrinthine Mind, 12-21-23)
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318. Clarity in Confusion: An Approach to “Fiducia Supplicans” (Dr. Richard DeClue, Word on Fire, 12-21-23)
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319. Criticism of Fiducia Supplicans: Confusion or spoiled milk? (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 12-27-23)
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322. Honestly confused over “couples” and “unions”? (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 12-28-23)
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323. Pope OKs blessing persons in gay unions: What it means, why it matters (Dawn Eden Goldstein, Where Peter Is, 12-19-23)
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326. Vatican responds to widespread backlash on same-sex blessing directive (Courtney Mares, Catholic News Agency, 1-3-24)
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327. Response to Cardinal Müller’s essay on Fiducia Supplicans (Jake Hardin, Where Peter Is, 1-3-24)
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328. President of Argentine Bishops on Same-sex blessings (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 12-31-23)
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329. Always with the Pope (Rodrigo Guerra, Where Peter Is, 1-9-24)
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331. Theologian Robert Fastiggi On Papal Indefectibility (hosted at Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, 3-11-24)
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332. Bishop Strickland’s flirtation with sedevacantism (Mike Lewis, Where Peter Is, 5-5-24)
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333. Pope Francis’ Many ‘Paths to God’—Still Catholic! (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, The City and the World, 9-18-24)
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335. What Did Pope Francis Say About Other Religions? (Jimmy Akin with Lila Rose, 46-minute video, 9-25-24) 
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336. Is Pope Francis a Heretic? (Take number 7… and… Action!) [Catholicism & Other Religions] (Andrew Likoudis, Nature + Grace, 9-27-24)
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See also my own articles: Replies to Critiques of Pope Francis [240 as of 9-27-24]
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Last updated 27 September 2024

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Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 4,800+ free online articles or fifty-five books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I’m always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!

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November 9, 2006

November 9, 2006 By
Gender
Image by “OpenClipArtVectors” [Pixabay / CC0 public domain]
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SEXUALITY (GENERAL) 
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Q & A: Catholic Sexual Morality and Contraception [1-1-08]

Condoms as a Solution to AIDS & Other STDs? [6-1-09]

Is Bestiality a Secular Sex Reductio ad Absurdum? [12-21-15]

Catholic Sexuality: A Concise Explanation & Defense [12-29-15]

Catholic Sexuality: Cordial Dialogue with an Agnostic [12-30-15]

Natural Family Planning: Anti-Sex & Anti-Pleasure? [1-23-17]

Women Have No Sexual Desire During Infertility? (+ Natural Family Planning [NFP] and Sexual Desire) [1-26-17]

Dialogue on Rebecca Bratten Weiss’ Teaching on Sexuality [9-20-17]

Dialogues on the Sexual Revolution & Weinstein’s Victims [10-14-17]

Epstein and Weinstein: The Fruit of the Sexual Revolution [11-4-17; rev. 7-19-19]

I Excoriated Society-Wide Sexual Abuse in 2007 [11-17-17]

Dialogue on Roy Moore: Sex, Facts, Ruined Lives, & Law [11-17-17]

Does President Trump = Frankenweinstein? [11-20-17]

Sex and Catholics: Our Views Briefly Explained [National Catholic Register, 2-2-18]

Seidensticker Folly #6: God Has “No Problem with Rape”? [8-15-18]

Sex, Lies, & Videotape (“Discussion” w Angry Atheist) [2-15-19]

Mini-Debate on Libertarianism and Laws About Sex [3-7-19]

Vs. Atheist David Madison #40: Jesus: All Sexual Desire is Lust? (Replies to some of the most clueless atheist “arguments” to ever enter the mind of a sentient human being . . .) [12-18-19]

Dialogue: Are Paul, the Bible, & Catholicism Against Sex? [2-11-20]

Dialogue: Paul, Bible, & Catholicism R Anti-Sex? (Pt. 2) [2-22-20]

Sociology: Devout Married Christians Have Best Sex [2-29-20]

Debate: Trump, Sexual Misconduct, & the Christian Vote [4-28-20]

Dialogue: Groupies & Parameters of Sexual Consent [4-29-20]

Secular English Liberal Writes an Extraordinary Description of the Destructive Sexual and Revolutionary Aspects of the 1960s [Facebook, 9-5-20]

Debate w Atheist on Contraception, Abortion, & Sex Ed [3-15-21]

Rihanna & Christians Kowtowing to the World-System (Regarding Rihanna’s Performance During Half-Time at the Super Bowl and How Christians Are Responding to it) [2-14-23]

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PREMARITAL / EXTRAMARITAL SEX / COHABITATION

Is Premarital Sex Morally Wrong? Why? (A Dialogue) [3-18-00]

Does St. Paul Sanction Premarital Sex (1 Cor 7:36)? [11-21-09]

Dialogue: Is Catholic Virginity an “Anti-Sex” Viewpoint? [11-6-15]

Dialogues on the Sexual Revolution & Weinstein’s Victims [10-14-17]

Pope Francis: Pro-Marriage & Contra “Marital Skepticism” [1-29-18]

Sex and Catholics: Our Views Briefly Explained [National Catholic Register, 2-2-18]

Sociology: Devout Married Christians Have Best Sex [2-29-20]

The Bible on Why Premarital Sex Is Wrong [National Catholic Register, 5-26-21]

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RADICAL FEMINISM AND FEMALE “PRIESTS”  

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DEACONESSES
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Dialogue with a Traditionalist Regarding Deaconesses [5-13-16]

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MEN, WOMEN, MASCULINITY, FEMININITY, SEXISM, GENDER, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, PARENTING 

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Cussing Women, Chivalry, Etc. (+ very extensive and vigorous Facebook discussion) [8-24-16]
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A Thought on Marriage Vows [Facebook, 4-26-17]
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Sex and Catholics: Our Views Briefly Explained [National Catholic Register, 2-2-18]
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DIVORCE
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ANNULMENT
 
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Annulments are Fundamentally Different from Divorce [National Catholic Register, 4-6-17]
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HOMOSEXUALITY: GENERAL 
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“Forced” Morality & Ubiquitous “Bigotry” [6-9-16]

My Supposed “Conflation” of LGBTQ Rights & Pedophilia [6-14-16]

Orlando, “Homophobia”, Terrorism, & Slander [6-23-16]

Defense of Bishop Barron (Rubin Interview): Did He Do Anything Wrong? Was it a Missed Opportunity (Particularly Regarding the “Gay Marriage” Issue)? (+ Facebook discussion) [2-13-17]

“Hated by All”, Catholic Evangelism, & the Fullness of Truth: Is it Possible for an Orthodox, Morally Traditional Catholic, Who Shares the “Unabridged” Catholic Message, to be Rapturously Loved and Liked by One and All Radically Secularist Leftists and Atheists? [2-13-17]

Lawler vs. Pope Francis #2: Homosexuality & “Judging” [1-2-18]

Is the Catholic Church “Against” Gay Priests? [8-24-18]

Wacko Reactionary Fanatic Claims That I Endorse Homosexual Acts and “Pachamama” Idolatry [Case Study of Fantastically Out-of-Context Citations] / He Sanctions Hatred [Facebook, 12-17-19]

Pope Francis, Same-Sex Unions, & Chicken Little Mass Hysteria [10-22-20]

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HOMOSEXUALITY: DEBATES
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Debate on Catholicism & Homosexuality (vs. a Lawyer) [11-3-16]
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HOMOSEXUALITY: TEACHING OF THE BIBLE
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How Did Jesus View Active Homosexuality? [National Catholic Register, 9-16-19]
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HOMOSEXUALITY: HEALTH RISKS
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The Health Risks of Gay Sex (John R. Diggs, Jr., M.D.; see also my Facebook cross-posting and discussion) [5-25-15]
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HOMOSEXUALITY: SAME-SEX “MARRIAGE”
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TRANS IDEOLOGY / BATHROOM CONTROVERSIES
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MASTURBATION 
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Masturbation: Thoughts on Why it is as Wrong as it Ever Was [3-14-04 and 9-7-05; abridged, edited, and slightly modified on 8-14-19]
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Martin Luther Condemned Masturbation (“Secret Sin”) [6-2-10]

Masturbation & the Sermon on the Mount (Talmudic Parallels) [10-18-11]

Biblical Data Against Contraception: Onan’s Sin and Punishment: a Concise “Catholic” Argument [3-7-14]

Bible vs. Contraception: Onan’s Sin and Punishment [National Catholic Register, 5-30-17]

Masturbation: Gravely Disordered According to Catholicism [8-16-19]

Biblical Hyperbole, Masturbation, & Intransigent Atheists [9-3-19]

Masturbation: C. S. Lewis Explains Why it is Wrong [10-28-19]

Debate: Masturbation Okay in Moderation or Intrinsically Wrong? [10-31-19]

C. S. Lewis Left Christianity Due to Masturbation? (Case Study of the Saying, “Heresy Begins Below the Belt”) [8-11-20]

More Proof That ‘Heresy Begins Below the Belt’ (Even for Young C. S. Lewis) [National Catholic Register, 8-30-20]

Masturbation & Blindness?: Fascinating Investigation [1-21-22]

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CHILD TRAFFICKING AND SEX SLAVERY
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Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,600+ free online articles (the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-five books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I’m always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!

*

 
Last updated: 18 December 2023 
***

November 9, 2006

November 9, 2006 By
Cover (509x768)
(February 2012, 152 pages)
*****
 
COMMUNION OF SAINTS: GENERAL
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Classic Reflections on the Communion of Saints [2-17-91; revised and expanded: 12-14-93]
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The Cloud of Witnesses [cartoon tract; art by Dan Grajek, early 90s]
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Communion of Saints: Biblical Introduction & Overview [1995; published in The Catholic Answer (Nov / Dec 1998)]
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The Communion of Saints: All Who Are In Christ [2-17-91; rev. Dec. 1993 and May 1996]
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Treatise on Communion of Saints (Anthony Zarrella) [6-9-16]
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COMMUNION OF SAINTS: INVOCATION AND INTERCESSION OF SAINTS AND ANGELS 
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Asking Saints to Intercede: Teaching of Jesus [2015]

Why Pray to Saints Rather than God? [9-4-15]

Reply to a Lutheran Pastor on Invocation of Saints [12-1-15]

John Calvin Did Not Pray to Philip Melanchthon [9-19-09; revised with retraction, 5-3-16]

Dialogue on Praying to Abraham (Luke 16) [5-22-16]

Prayer to Saints: “New” [?] Biblical Argument [5-23-16]

Treatise on Communion of Saints (Anthony Zarrella) [6-9-16]

Must Catholics Pray to Saints or be Excommunicated? [12-2-16]

Why Would Anyone Pray to Saints Rather Than to God? [National Catholic Register, 1-8-17]

Invocation & Intercession of Saints & Angels: Bible Proof [10-22-16 and 1-9-17]

“Armstrong vs. Geisler” #5: Prayer to Creatures [2-20-17]

Dialogue: Rich Man’s Prayer to Abraham (Luke 16) and the Invocation of Saints (vs. Lutheran Pastor Ken Howes) [5-3-17]

Dialogue on Samuel Appearing to Saul (Witch of Endor) [5-6-17]

Dialogue on Prayer to the Saints and Hades / Sheol [12-19-17]

Prayers to Saints & for the Dead: Six Biblical Proofs [6-8-18]

4 Biblical Proofs for Prayers to Saints and for the Dead [National Catholic Register, 6-16-18]

Angelic Intercession is Totally Biblical [National Catholic Register, 7-1-18]

Why the Bible Says the Prayers of Holy People Are More Powerful [National Catholic Register, 3-19-19]

C. S. Lewis & the Invocation & Communion of Saints [10-10-19]

Vs. James White #13: Jesus Taught Invocation of Saints (And by James White’s “Reasoning,” Jesus Couldn’t be God and was a Blaspheming False Teacher) [11-16-19]

The Saints in Heaven are Quite Aware of Events on Earth (featuring a defense of patron saints) [National Catholic Register, 3-21-20]

Invocation of Saints and Angels (Luke 16 [Lazarus & the Rich Man & Abraham] is One of the Most Unanswerable Arguments in Catholic Apologetics) (vs. Jason Engwer) [5-26-20]

Invocation of Saints: Jesus Allegedly “Calling on Elijah” (vs. Jason Engwer) [6-8-20]

Prayer to Abraham and Dead People in Scripture [National Catholic Register, 6-20-20]

What Christ’s Words on the Cross Tell Us About Elijah and the Saints [National Catholic Register, 8-2-20]

Can Mary Hear “Simultaneous” Prayers of Millions? (vs. Matt Slick) [9-30-20]

Prayer to Creatures Proven from Holy Scripture (vs. Matt Slick) [10-1-20]

How Can a Saint Hear the Prayers of Millions at Once? [National Catholic Register, 10-7-20]

Jason Engwer, Origen, & Intercession of Saints [10-16-20]

Origen and the Intercession of Saints [National Catholic Register, 11-19-20]

Dialogue: Prayer For & To the Dead (w Dr. Lydia McGrew) [2-17-21]

Dialogue on Prayers to Saints & for the Dead [5-29-21]

Prayer to an Angel: An Explicit Biblical Example [11-21-21]

Reply to Jordan Cooper: Invocation of Saints [4-27-22]

Reply to Gavin Ortlund on Praying to the Saints (Including a Reply Regarding the [Blasphemous?] “Excesses of Marian Prayers” from the Protestant Point of View) [5-15-22]

Why Do We Ask Mary to Pray for Us? [National Catholic Register, 5-24-22]

Seven Replies Re Interceding Saints (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [5-25-22]

Answer to Banzoli’s “Challenge” Re Intercession of Saints [9-20-22]

Nutshell Systematic Theology of the Efficacy & Biblical Nature of “Prayers of the Righteous” [Facebook, 9-20-22]

Bible on Praying Straight to God (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [9-21-22]

Reply to Banzoli’s “Analyzing the ‘evidence’ of saints’ intercession” [9-22-22]

Reply to Banzoli’s “Questions for Catholics About Prayer…” [9-23-22]

5 Replies to Questions About Catholic (and Biblical) Prayer [National Catholic Register, 11-30-22]

Dead Saints Interceding (vs. Lucas Banzoli): Including a Back-and-Forth Discussion on Banzoli’s Tragic Denial of the Deity of Christ [2-8-23]

Bible & the Intercession of Saints (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [2-8-23]

John Calvin in Effect Regards Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer to Abraham as “Novel and Impure” [Facebook, 3-8-23] 

Do Petitions to Departed Saints Offend God? [3-20-23]

Jason Engwer vs. the Biblical Case for Invoking Saints [4-22-23]

Invocation of Saints: Jason Engwer Still Out to Sea [7-19-23]

Jesus: Okay to Request Abraham’s Intercession [9-25-23]

Vs. J. Oliveira #3: Mediating Saints [9-28-23]

Vs. J. Oliveira #5: Talking to Dead Saints [10-3-23]

Defense of My NCR Article, “4 Biblical Proofs for Prayers to Saints and for the Dead” [Facebook, 10-7-23]

What Are Saints & Angels in Heaven Doing with Our “Prayers”? [Catholic365, 11-26-23]

Are Saints in Heaven Ignorant and Passive or Extremely Knowledgeable and Active in Charity and Prayer? [Facebook, 12-22-23]

Vs. Turretin #3: Communion Of Saints 3 (Intercession) [12-23-23]

Vs. Turretin #4: Communion Of Saints 4 (Invocation) [12-26-23]

Invoking Saints and Angels: A Nutshell Biblical Proof [Facebook, 12-26-23]

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COMMUNION OF SAINTS: VENERATION OF SAINTS AND ANGELS 
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The Veneration of Angels and Men is Biblical [National Catholic Register, 8-24-17]
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Biblical Evidence for Veneration of Saints and Images [National Catholic Register, 10-23-18]
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“Graven Images”: Unbiblical Iconoclasm (vs. John Calvin) [Oct. 2012]
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Worshiping God Through Images is Entirely Biblical [National Catholic Register, 12-23-16]
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The Biblical Understanding of Holy Places and Things [National Catholic Register, 4-11-17]
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How Protestant Nativity Scenes Proclaim Catholic Doctrine [12-15-13; expanded for publication at National Catholic Register: 12-17-17]
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Dialogue on Worship of God Via Natural Images (vs. Jim Drickamer) [1-16-17]
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Biblical Evidence for Veneration of Saints and Images [National Catholic Register, 10-23-18]
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Crucifixes: Devotional Aids or Wicked Idols? [National Catholic Register, 1-15-20]
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Golden Calf & Cherubim: Biblical Contradiction? (vs. Dr. Steven DiMattei) [11-23-20]
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COMMUNION OF SAINTS: RELICS
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My Wedding Ring: Third-Class Relic (+ Examination of Fine Distinctions of Relic Classes) [9-16-15] [+ Facebook discussion: 4 November 2014; my ring touched 100 holy items in the Holy Land]
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Biblical Proofs and Evidence for Relics [National Catholic Register, 3-13-20]
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Relics Are a Biblical Concept — Here Are Some Examples [National Catholic Register, 5-31-22]
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PURGATORY AND SHEOL (HADES)
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Classic Catholic Reflections on Purgatory [1994]

Fictional Dialogue on Purgatory [1995]

25 Bible Passages on Purgatory [1996]

Purgatory: . . . Saved, But Only As Through Fire [4-21-94; rev. May 1996]

Purgatory: A Short Exposition [5-9-02]

A Biblical Argument for Purgatory (Matthew 5:25-26) [10-13-04]

“Catholicism Refuted” (?): “Father” / Purgatory / Statues / Confession (Pt. III) [12-11-04]

Is Purgatory a “Place” or a “Condition”?: Misconceptions From [Eastern Orthodox] Fr. Ambrose About My Opinion (and the Church’s View) / Also: Development and Alleged Historical Revisionism [7-24-05]

Dialogue with Lutherans on Jesus’ Descent Into “Hell” [2-1-07]

Purgatory: Refutation of James White (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) [3-3-07]

Has Limbo Been Relegated to Limbo? [12-28-07]

Luther Believed in Soul Sleep; Thus He Rejected Purgatory [2-9-08]

Dialogue on Sheol / Hades (Limbo of the Fathers) and Luke 16 (the Rich Man and Lazarus) with a Baptist (vs. “Grubb”) [2-28-08]

Luther: Purgatory “Quite Plain” in 2 Maccabees [3-5-09]

Purgatory is the Waiting Room for Heaven [4-25-09]

Luke 23:43 (Thief on the Cross): “Paradise” = Sheol, Not Heaven, According to Many Reputable Protestant Scholars [5-25-09]

50 Bible Passages on Purgatory & Analogous Processes [2009]

John Wesley’s Belief in an Intermediate State After Death [7-13-09]

Purgatory: My Biblical Defense of its Doctrinal Development [9-20-11]

John Wesley’s View of Purgatory and Analogous Processes [2013]

Dialogue with an Evangelical on Purgatory [10-7-13]

Multiple Meanings of “Paradise” in Scripture [1-2-14]

Purgatory in One Verse (1 Corinthians 3:15) [Facebook, 1-29-14]

Catholic Mystics & Contemplatives on Purgatory [2014]

Martin Luther’s Belief in Purgatory (1517-1522, 1528) [11-17-14]

Dialogue w Calvinists on Prayer for the Dead & Purgatory [3-18-15]

Dialogue: Raising of Tabitha from the Dead & Purgatory [March 2015]

50 Biblical Indications That Purgatory is Real [National Catholic Register, 10-24-16]

“Armstrong vs. Geisler” #1: Purgatory (Mt 12:32) [2-17-17]

“Armstrong vs. Geisler” #2: Purgatory (Lk 23:43) [2-17-17]

Does Matthew 12:32 Suggest or Disprove Purgatory? [National Catholic Register, 2-26-17]

Did Jesus Descend to Hell, Sheol, or Paradise After His Death? [National Catholic Register, 4-17-17]

11 Descriptive and Clear Bible Passages About Purgatory [National Catholic Register, 5-7-17]

Purgatory: Exchange with a Presbyterian (Calvinist) [5-11-17]

Armstrong vs. Collins & Walls #7: Unbiblical / Non-Patristic Purgatory? [10-19-17]

Dialogue on Prayer to the Saints and Hades / Sheol [12-19-17]

Reflections on Interceding for the Lost Souls [National Catholic Register, 6-26-18]

C. S. Lewis Believed in Purgatory & Prayer for the Dead [6-22-10; rev. 10-8-19]

Does Time & Place Apply to Purgatory? (vs. James White) [11-6-19]

Luke 16 Doesn’t Describe Hell or Purgatory, But Hades [1-16-20]

Dialogue: Purgatory & 2 Maccabees 12:39-45 [11-8-20]

Purgatory in the Bible (vs. Calvin #60) [1-15-21]

Reply to Gavin Ortlund on Purgatory [5-12-22]

Vs. J. Oliveira #6: Bible & Purgatory [10-3-23]

Purgatory: Biblical Indications (chapter five [“Purgatory”] — pp. 239-252 — of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [10-18-23]
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VIDEO: Purgatory is 100% BIBLICAL!! [Kenny Burchard, Catholic Bible Highlights, utilizing my biblical research, 8-29-24]
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VIDEO: Does this Bible Verse DESTROY the doctrine of Purgatory (or does it teach it?) [Kenny Burchard, Catholic Bible Highlights, utilizing my biblical research, 9-1-24]
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Purgatory: 110 Related Biblical Themes [10-31-24; revised 11-2-24]
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Jewish 1st Century Belief in Purgatory (Paul Hoffer) [9-20-11]

Raising of Tabitha: Proof of Purgatory (Tony Gerring) [3-20-15]

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PRAYER AND PENANCE FOR THE DEAD

Baptizing the Dead? (Odd Verse 1 Corinthians 15:29) [6-5-02]

Baptized for the Dead: The “UnProtestant” Verse (1 Cor 15:29) [2004]

New (?) Biblical Argument: Prayers for the Dead [2004]

“Catholicism Refuted” (?): “Father” / Purgatory / Statues / Confession (Pt. III) [12-11-04]

Prayer for the Dead & Retroactive Prayer (Luther & Protestants) [3-22-05]

Does God Forbid All Contact with the Dead? [6-23-07]

John Wesley Believed in Prayer for the Dead [7-13-09]

Prayer for the Dead (vs. Calvin #57) [2012]

Fasting for the Dead in the Old Testament (Not Unlike Praying) [11-4-12]

Dialogue on Prayer for the Dead & the Bible [11-5-12]

Dialogue: Jesus, Peter, Elijah & Elisha Prayed for the Dead (+ a discussion on apologetics methodology and effectiveness) [6-9-13] 

“Pray for the Dead Like Paul Did!” (mock Church billboard) [Facebook, 2-10-14]

Dialogue w Calvinists on Prayer for the Dead & Purgatory [3-18-15]

“Armstrong vs. Geisler” #4: Prayer for the Dead [2-20-17]

Prayers to Saints & for the Dead: Six Biblical Proofs [6-8-18]

4 Biblical Proofs for Prayers to Saints and for the Dead [National Catholic Register, 6-16-18]

Reflections on Interceding for the Lost Souls [National Catholic Register, 6-26-18]

Dialogue w Lutherans: “Proxy Baptism”? (1 Cor 15:29) [12-28-18]

C. S. Lewis Believed in Purgatory & Prayer for the Dead [6-22-10; rev. 10-8-19]

The Anglican Newman on Prayer for the Dead (1838): It was as well-attested in the early Church as the Canon of Scripture [10-11-19]

Jesus, Peter, Elijah and Elisha All Prayed for the Dead [National Catholic Register, 2-23-20]

Dialogue: Purgatory & 2 Maccabees 12:39-45 (vs. Luke Wayne) [11-8-20]

Dialogue: Acts 9:40 and Prayers for (not to) the Dead (vs. Luke Wayne) [11-11-20]

Dialogue: Prayer For & To the Dead (w Dr. Lydia McGrew) [2-17-21]

Dialogue on Prayers to Saints & for the Dead [5-29-21]

Prayer for the Dead: Brief Exchange with a Friendly Agnostic [Facebook, 3-9-23]

Prayers to and for the Dead (vs. Jason Engwer): Did Jesus & Peter Talk to Dead People Before They Rose from the Dead, and — Along with Elijah and Elisha — Pray for the Dead, or Only Ask Them to Move After They Were Raised? (+ Part 2) [3-13-23]

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PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: ST. PAUL AND ONESIPHORUS

Paul Prayed for Dead Onesiphorus (Protestant Commentaries) [7-14-09]

Cardinal Newman on Onesiphorus and Prayer for the Dead [Facebook, 3-18-15]

St. Paul Prayed for a Dead Man: Onesiphorus [8-19-15]

St. Paul Prayed for Onesiphorus, Who Was Dead [National Catholic Register, 3-19-17]

Was Onesiphorus Dead When Paul Prayed for Him?: Data from 16 Protestant Commentaries (1992-2016) [3-20-17]

Paul & Dead Onesiphorus (vs. Steve Hays) [10-10-23]

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SACRAMENT OF PENANCE: CONTRITION, CONFESSION, ABSOLUTION, AND SATISFACTION

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Confession and Absolution Are Biblical [National Catholic Register, 7-31-17]
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John 20:22-23 & Formal Absolution (vs. Steve Hays) [5-12-20]
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INDULGENCES
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MORTIFICATION, FASTING, ABSTINENCE, ASCETICISM, MONASTICISM, SUFFERING, & REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING
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Suffering With Christ is a Biblical Teaching [National Catholic Register, 3-27-18]
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The Bible Says Your Suffering Can Help Save Others [National Catholic Register, 1-31-19]
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Bodily Mortification is Quite Scriptural [National Catholic Register, 2-28-19]
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More Biblical Support for Bodily Mortification [National Catholic Register, 3-5-19]
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Biblical Hope and Encouragement in Your Times of Suffering [National Catholic Register; abridged and edited from 1981 material: 4-22-19]
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Why God Loves Monasticism So Much [National Catholic Register, 3-5-20]
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LENT
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Where are Lenten Practices in the Bible? [National Catholic Register, 2-23-19]
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John Calvin vs. Lent and the Bible [National Catholic Register, 2-20-21]
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[for lengthy philosophical analyses of suffering and the problem of evil, see my Philosophy, Science, and Christianity web page; second section]

***** 

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Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 4,800+ free online articles or fifty-five books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I’m always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!

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Last updated on 9 November 2024

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November 9, 2006

November 9, 2006 By
Cover (555 x 828)
(September 2010, 189 pages)
[see full book content and purchase info.]
Spanish Cover (165 x 246)
“La Virgen de los católicos”: ¿Muy al contrario de la Biblia?
(Spanish translation by Lizette Sellar Moon: June 2017, 220 pages)
***
GENERAL
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Mary: Do Catholics Have a Biblical View?  [cartoon tract; art by Dan Grajek; early 90s]
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“Live Chat” Debate on Mary (vs. James White) [12-29-00]
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Catholic Converts’ Qualms: Mariology, Formal Worship, Etc. [2-11-04; some new recommended links added on 5-2-17]
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Did Mary Know That Jesus Was God? [National Catholic Register, 4-29-18]
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The Exalted Blessed Virgin Mary and Theosis [National Catholic Register, 11-28-18]
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The “High”, Glorious Mariology of Cardinal Newman (Foreword to The Mariology of Cardinal Newman, by Rev. Francis J. Friedel) [4-11-19]
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St. John Henry Newman’s High Mariology [National Catholic Register, 10-18-19]
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SINLESSNESS, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, AND THE ANNUNCIATION 
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Blessed Virgin Mary & God’s Special Presence in Scripture [1994; from first draft of A Biblical Defense of Catholicism]
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“All Have Sinned” vs. a Sinless, Immaculate Mary? [1996; revised and posted at National Catholic Register on 12-11-17]
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Was Mary’s Immaculate Conception Absolutely Necessary? [1-5-05; published at National Catholic Register on 12-8-17]
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Sinless Mary: Dialogue w OT Professor (Dr. Jonathan Huddleston) [12-8-14]
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Martin Luther’s “Immaculate Purification” View of Mary [National Catholic Register, 12-31-16]
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Scripture, Through an Angel, Reveals That Mary Was Sinless [National Catholic Register, 4-30-17]
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Why Would a Sinless Mary Offer Sacrifices? (vs. Matt Slick) [10-29-20]
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A SUPPOSED “SINFUL MARY” AND ALLEGED INSTANCES OF JESUS “REBUKING” OR “DISRESPECTING” HER
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“All Have Sinned” vs. a Sinless, Immaculate Mary? [1996; revised and posted at National Catholic Register on 12-11-17]
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On Whether Jesus’ “Brothers” Were “Unbelievers” [National Catholic Register, 6-11-20]
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Why Would a Sinless Mary Offer Sacrifices? (vs. Matt Slick) [10-29-20]
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Sinning Mary in the Bible? (vs. Jason Engwer) [6-21-22]

Immaculate Mary and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple [National Catholic Register, 8-31-22]

Did Mary Sin By Thinking Jesus was Crazy? (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [9-8-22]

Lucas Banzoli’s Mindless Denigration of an Imagined “Mary” (Including Extensive Biblical Analyses of Exceptionally “Righteous” and “Holy” People, and Merit) [9-11-22]

Was Our Lady Among Those Who Accused Our Lord of Being ‘Beside Himself?’ [National Catholic Register, 9-28-22]

Anti-Catholic Eric Svendsen Blasphemes Mary & Claims She (the Mother of God Whom an Angel Declared was “Full of Grace”!) Didn’t Have the “Light of Faith” During Jesus’ Ministry [Facebook, 2-3-23]

Mary and “Crazy” Jesus, Pt. II (vs. Lucas Banzoli): In Which Our Quixotic Anti-Catholic Warrior Desperately Savages Several Highly Reputable English Bible Translations in Order to “Prove” That Mary Thought Jesus was Out of His Mind [2-9-23]

Reply to Steve Christie on Catholic Mariology (Part I: Steve’s 15-Minute Opening Statement, Covering the Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, & Bodily Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary) [+ Part II / Part III] [7-12-23]

Luther’s Odd Take On Mary & Jesus In The Temple At 12 (And James Swan’s Unwarranted Conclusion from Luther’s Sermon, That He Was Accusing Her of Sin) [6-14-24]

Immaculate Conception: Reply to Gavin Ortlund (Including Analysis of Catholic Anathemas in Dogmatic Statements / Development of Doctrine and Mary) [8-22-24]

Jesus Rebuked Mary at Cana? (vs. Dr. Robert Gagnon) [8-24-24]

Jesus Rebuked His Mother (Jn 2:4)? (Robert Gagnon) (“What have you to do with me?”) [9-16-24]

Jesus Disparaged Mary (“Woman”)? (vs. Robert Gagnon) [9-19-24]

Mary Wasn’t a “Believer”?: Robert Gagnon’s Ignorance [9-20-24]

Mary’s Spiritual Knowledge and Belief in Jesus [10-31-24]

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Jesus’ Use of the Term “Woman” [for Mary. Was it Disrespectful?] (by Jimmy Akin)

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BODILY ASSUMPTION 

Bodily Assumption of Mary (John Saward: Protestant) [edited in 1994; Facebook]

Cardinal Newman on the Bodily Assumption of Mary [edited in 1994]

Ven. Fulton Sheen on the Bodily Assumption of Mary [edited in 1994]

Assumption & Immaculate Conception: Part of Apostolic Tradition (vs. James White) [June 1996]

Mary’s Assumption: Dialogue w Evangelical Protestant [1-21-02]

Bodily Assumption of Mary: Harmonious with the Bible? [2002]

Mary’s Assumption: Brief Explanation, with a New (?) Biblical Parallel [3-1-07]

Mary’s Assumption vs. Material Sufficiency of Scripture? [4-22-07]

Mary’s Assumption & “Reformer” Heinrich Bullinger [4-6-08]

Mary’s Assumption & Historic Protestantism [6-30-08]

Immaculate Conception and Assumption: Why Defined So Late? [2-1-09]

Mary’s Bodily Assumption: Eleven Related Bible Passages [2009]

Defending Mary (Revelation 12 & Her Assumption) [5-28-12]

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Biblical Arguments in Support of Mary’s Assumption [National Catholic Register, 8-15-18]
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Debate on Mary’s Assumption & the Bible (vs. Matt Slick) [11-17-20]
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MOTHER OF GOD (THEOTOKOS) / SPOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 
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PERPETUAL VIRGINITY / VIRGIN BIRTH
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Jesus’ “Brothers” Always “Hangin’ Around” Mary … (Doesn’t This Prove That They Are Actually His Siblings?) [8-31-09]
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Perpetual Virginity: Not “Intuitive” But Still True (see also the vigorous discussion with a deist in the combox underneath) [4-13-18]
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Biblical Evidence for the Perpetual Virginity of Mary [National Catholic Register, 4-13-18]
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More Biblical Evidence for Mary’s Perpetual Virginity [National Catholic Register, 4-25-18]
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Perpetual Virginity of Mary: “Holy Ground” [National Catholic Register, 5-8-18]
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Were Sts. Simon and Jude the Cousins of Jesus? [National Catholic Register, 12-24-21]
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Mary’s Perpetual Virginity and Biblical Language [National Catholic Register, 1-20-23]
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VIDEO: Did Mary REMAIN A Virgin? – Pt. 1 – The Perpetual Virginity of Mary [Kenny Burchard (Catholic Bible Highlights) with use of my biblical research, 10-19-24]
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VIDEO: Did Mary REMAIN A Virgin? – Pt. 2 – Consecrated Virgins?? [Kenny Burchard (Catholic Bible Highlights) with use of my biblical and historical research, 10-23-24]

VIDEO: Undeniable Truth: Jesus had NO Siblings!! [20+ Verses Prove It] [Dave Armstrong & Kenny Burchard, Catholic Bible Highlights), 11-1-24]

Jesus Refers to His “Brothers” as “Kin” or “Cousins” (Mark 6:3-4) [Facebook, 11-2-24]

VIDEO: The Surprising Truth About Mary & Jesus [Jesus on the cross asked John to take care of Mary] [Catholic Bible Highlights with Kenny Burchard, 11-6-24]
EARLY PROTESTANTS’ BELIEF IN MARY’S PERPETUAL VIRGINITY
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Calvin & Mary Ever Virgin (expanded version, with Tim Staples vs. James Swan) [6-5-14]
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MARY’S IN PARTU VIRGINITY (MIRACULOUS, NON-NATURAL CHILDBIRTH)
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Mary’s Perpetual Virginity “In Partu” (a Miraculous, Non-Natural Childbirth) is a Binding Catholic Dogma [9-24-08; expanded on 9-21-15]

Luther & Mary’s Virginity During Childbirth [10-12-11]

Rationalist Objection to the In Partu Virginity of Mary [Facebook, 1-9-13]

Mary Was a Virgin During Jesus’ Birth (In Partu) [9-19-14; slight modifications and additions on 4-18-18]

Martin Luther’s Belief in the Perpetual Virginity of Mary (+ Reformed Apologist James Swan’s Belittling Contempt of Luther) [9-23-14]

Mary’s Virginity During Childbirth: Ott’s Revision & Latin Analysis [9-29-15]

Dialogue: Mary’s “In Partu” Virginity (During Birth) (with Ryan Grant) [3-9-17]

Biblical and Patristic Evidence for Mary’s “In Partu” Virginity [National Catholic Register, 11-14-19]

Mary’s “In Partu” Virginity: Reply to False Charges [11-16-19]

Why Protestants Reject Mary’s Perpetual Virginity / “In Partu” [9-3-22]

Martin Luther: Mary Was a Perpetual Virgin [6-10-24]

Brief Reply to an Orthodox Priest Who Denies Mary’s In Partu Virginity [Facebook, 6-14-24]

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The Virginitas in Partu Revisited (Msgr.  Arthur Calkins)

The Virgin Birth of Christ — What the Church Really Teaches (Fr. Ryan Erlenbush)

The Virginity of Our Lady In Partu: The Painless, Miraculous Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ (biblical, patristic, and magisterial proofs)

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VENERATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY / [“EXCESSIVE”?] MARIAN DEVOTIONS 

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The Blessed Virgin Mary is Our Role Model [National Catholic Register, 4-20-17]
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50 Biblical Reasons to Honor Jesus Through Mary [National Catholic Register, 7-24-19]
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Catholics Do Not Worship Mary Like God (vs. Matt Slick) [11-13-20]
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Catholics Don’t Worship Mary — We Love and Honor Her [National Catholic Register, 7-31-23]
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THE ROSARY
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The Rosary: ‘Vain Repetition’ or Biblical Prayer? [National Catholic Register, 3-16-18]
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QUEEN OF HEAVEN / QUEEN MOTHER / REVELATION 12
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Mary as the “Queen Mother” and “Queen of Heaven”: Is 1 Kings 2:17-25 a Fatal Counter-Example? (with Steve Ray) [9-5-08]
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Armstrong vs. Collins & Walls #6: Assumption, Queen Redux [10-19-17]

Mary is Queen Mother and Queen of Heaven [National Catholic Register, 6-6-19]

Vs. James White #12: Mary the Woman of Revelation 12 [11-7-19]

Is Our Lady the Woman of Revelation 12? [National Catholic Register, 11-27-19]

The Queen Mother & the Bible (vs. James White) [10-8-21]

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INTERCESSOR AND SPIRITUAL MOTHER

Reflections on the Spiritual Motherhood & Mediation of Mary [1994]

Mary: Spiritual Motherhood & Rosary: Dialogue w Protestant [1-21-02]

Defense of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Devotion vs. Calvinists [7-16-07]

People Extend God’s Comfort & Peace (Communion of Saints) [Sep. 2010]

Martin Luther’s Belief in the Invocation and Intercession of Mary and the Saints, as Late as 1521 [10-4-11]

Does Invoking Mary at Death Ignore Jesus? [2013]

Dialogue with an Anglican on “Praying to Mary,” Patron Saints, Etc. [11-10-14]

Reply to Lutheran on Invocation of Saints [12-1-15]

Lutheran Pastor Bashes Prayer to Mary and the Rosary (“Vain Repetition”) [5-5-17]

Can Mary Hear “Simultaneous” Prayers of Millions? (vs. Matt Slick) [9-30-20]

How Can a Saint Hear the Prayers of Millions at Once? [National Catholic Register, 10-7-20]

Reply to Gavin Ortlund on Praying to the Saints (Including a Reply Regarding the [Blasphemous?] “Excesses of Marian Prayers” from the Protestant Point of View) [5-15-22]

Why Do We Ask Mary to Pray for Us? [National Catholic Register, 5-24-22]

5 Replies to Questions About Catholic (and Biblical) Prayer [National Catholic Register, 11-30-22]

“God as the Mediator of Mary”?: vs. Francisco Tourinho [1-18-23]

How Can a Human Like Mary Hear Millions of Prayers? The Answer Is in the Bible [National Catholic Register, 2-18-23]

Our Mother Mary & “Mother Earth” (Rosemarie Scott) [4-4-23]

Mary, Mother Of The Church (By Dr. Robert Fastiggi) [3-18-24]

Quick Refutation of James White Re Praying to Mary [Facebook, 5-10-24]

VIDEO: Praying To Mary?? [Catholic Bible Highlights, with Kenny Burchard, utilizing my biblical research, 10-9-24]

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MEDIATRIX 

Reflections on the Spiritual Motherhood & Mediation of Mary [1994]

Mary Mediatrix (Fr. William G. Most) [originally compiled in 1994; Facebook]

Mary Mediatrix: Patristic, Medieval, & Early Orthodox Evidence [1998]

Dialogue on Mary Mediatrix & Spouse of the Holy Spirit [1998]

Mary Mediatrix: A Biblical Explanation [1999]

Mary Mediatrix: Dialogue w Evangelical Protestant [1-21-02]

Mary Mediatrix vs. Jesus Christ the Sole Mediator? [1-30-03]

Mary Mediatrix & the Bible (vs. Dr. Robert Bowman) [8-1-03]

Critique of Mary — Another Redeemer? by James White (Whitewashing History: By William Possidento and Dave Armstrong) [3-12-04; slight revisions and updated links: 6-12-20] 

Defense of Critique of Jame’s White’s Misinformed Mariology (particularly with regard to the differing views on early Mariology of Protestant Church historians J.N.D. Kelly and Philip Schaff) (vs. James Swan) [3-15-04 and 9-7-05]

Mary Mediatrix and the Church Fathers (+ Documentation That James White Accepts the Scholarship of the Protestant Church Historians I Cite [J. N. D. Kelly and Philip Schaff] ) [9-7-05]
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Immaculate Heart of Mary & Mary Mediatrix (Excessive Devotions?): Explanations Especially for New Converts to the Catholic Faith [11-25-08]

Biblical Evidence for Mary Mediatrix [11-25-08]

Mary Mediatrix: A Biblical & Theological Primer [9-15-15]

Exchange on Catholic Mariology and Mary Mediatrix [12-3-16]

Mary Mediatrix: Close Biblical Analogies [National Catholic Register, 8-14-17]

Mary Mediatrix & Jesus (Mere Vessels vs. Sources) [8-15-17]

Todd Baker’s Exodus from Rome (Tradition, Mary, Sola Fide) [4-23-18]

Pope Francis vs. the Marian Title “Co-Redemptrix”? (+ Documentation of Pope Francis’ and Other Popes’ Use of the Mariological Title of Veneration: “Mother of All”) [12-16-19]

Pope Francis’ Deep Devotion to Mary (Esp. Mary Mediatrix) [12-23-19]

“God as the Mediator of Mary”?: vs. Francisco Tourinho [1-18-23]

Mary, Not Jesus, is the Catholic “Savior”? (Response to More Misrepresentation of St. Alphonsus de Liguori’s Book, The Glories of Mary) [7-21-23]

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Seven Contemporary Fruits from a New Marian Dogma (Mark Miravalle) [1-15-19]

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APPARITIONS
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Biblical Evidence for Marian Apparitions [National Catholic Register, 5-21-17]
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The Amsterdam Apparitions: Where Are We Now? (by Dr. Robert Fastiggi) [8-13-21]
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*****
Last updated on 7 November 2024
***
*
***
*
Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 4,800+ free online articles or fifty-five books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.
*
Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I’m always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.
*
PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!

*
***
*

November 9, 2006

November 9, 2006 By
[published in March 2012, 150 pages]
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[Papal Encyclicals Online: fabulous resource: includes Kindle / Nook / ePub capability]
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Pope Francis Defended: Resources for Confused Folks [336 articles or videos from others]

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PETRINE AND ROMAN PRIMACY / ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL
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50 Biblical Indications of Petrine Primacy and the Papacy [National Catholic Register, 11-20-16]
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Top 20 Biblical Evidences for the Primacy of St. Peter [National Catholic Register, 1-8-18; see also my video commentary on this article with Kenny Burchard on the Catholic Bible Highlights channel, 11-8-24]
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Papal Passages Lk 22:31-34 & Jn 21:15-17 (vs. Jason Engwer) [5-12-20]
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Is Peter’s Primacy Disproved by His Personality? [National Catholic Register, 11-30-20]
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Reply to Lucas Banzoli’s 205 Potshots at St. Peter, Part I [5-26-22]
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Lucas Banzoli’s 205 “Petrine Potshots”, Part II [5-27-22]
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The Authority of Popes (chapter three, pp. 139-158, of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers) [10-16-23]
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VIDEO: Was Peter REALLY the first Pope? [Dave Armstrong & Kenny Burchard on the Catholic Bible Highlights channel, 11-8-24]
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The Origins of the Denial of Peter’s Roman Sojourn (Nicholas Gulda, The Crossroads, 9-4-22)
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GENERAL PAPAL ECCLESIOLOGY
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PAPAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUCCESSION
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The Development of the Papacy (St. John Henry Cardinal Newman) [Facebook, 1997]
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Papal Succession: Biblical and Logical Arguments [National Catholic Register, 5-26-17]
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PETER THE “ROCK” / “KEYS OF THE KINGDOM”
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Jesus Christ and St. Peter — Are Both Rocks? [National Catholic Register, 6-29-22]
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The Meaning of the Keys of St. Peter [National Catholic Register, 8-25-22]
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PAPAL INFALLIBILITY, SUPREMACY, AND INDEFECTIBILITY
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A Brief History of Papal Infallibility [National Catholic Register, 5-21-18]
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Protestant Objections to Papal Infallibility [National Catholic Register, 2-29-20]
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Explicit Papal Infallibility in 96 AD (Pope St. Clement) [originally from 7-30-21; posted at Catholic365 on 11-20-23]
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The Supposed Fall of Honorius and His Condemnation (J. H. R., American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 7, 1882, pp. 162-168)
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The Condemnation of Pope Honorius (Dom John Chapman, O.S.B., London: Catholic Truth Society, 1907)
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Pope Honorius I (Catholic Encyclopedia [Dom John Chapman])
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The Alleged Fall of Pope Liberius (P. J. Harrold, American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 8, 1883, 529-549)
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Pope Liberius (Catholic Encyclopedia [Dom John Chapman])
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The Sixth Nicene Canon and the Papacy (James F. Loughlin, American Catholic Quarterly Review, vol. 5, 1880, 220-239)
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Was Pope Vigilius a Heretic? (Mark Hausam, Where Peter Is, 4-12-20)
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Papal Infallibility and the Case of Pope Vigilius (Lawrence McCready, Unam Sanctam Catholicam, 7-7-12)
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The Transformation of Pope Vigilius (Warren H. Carroll, Faith & Reason, Winter 1982)
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An In-Depth Examination of Pope Vigilius: Historical and Theological Insights [Video (2 1/2 hours) by William Albrecht and two guests, 9-6-24]
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POPES, COUNCILS, CONCILIARISM, AND COLLEGIALITY
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Pope Silvester and the Council of Nicaea (vs. James White) [August 1997]
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The Papacy & Conciliarity (or, Collegiality): How Popes Routinely Consult & Involve Bishops, Priests, & Laity Prior to Momentous Decrees [9-13-14]

Peter Kwasniewski: Gotta Exorcise Vatican I (1870) [12-4-20]

Which Has More Authority: A Pope or an Ecumenical Council? [National Catholic Register, 5-19-21]

Did Peter or James Preside at the Jerusalem Council? (And Was it the Prototype of Ecumenical Councils or Merely a Local Synod?) [5-21-21]

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DISAGREEING WITH OR TRYING TO PERSUADE POPES / HONOR AND RESPECT FOR POPES / POPE-BASHING

Denunciations of Incessant Bashing of Pope Francis [2-22-15]

Is Pope Francis Wrong? Thoughts on the “Filial Correction” [9-24-17]

Radical Reactionary Affinities in “Filial Correction” Signatories [9-28-17]

On Rebuking Popes & Catholic Obedience to Popes [12-27-17]

On Rebuking Popes & Obedience to Popes, Part II [12-28-17]

Fr. Angel Sotelo on the Scandal of the Current Pope-Bashing [Facebook, 1-4-18]

Negative Reactionary Views of Popes Since 1958 [3-18-18]

Honoring Popes / Scriptural Honor of Even Wicked Rulers [11-30-17; some additions on 3-26-18]

Pope-Criticism: Vigorous Exchanges w Karl Keating [3-27-18]

Do I Think Popes Can Never be Criticized for Any Reason? Nope. (I Respectfully Criticize the Prudence of Pope Francis’ Repeated Interviews with an Atheist Who Lies About Him [Eugenio Scalfari]) [3-31-18]

Olson’s Nitpicking, Persnickety Guide to Gaudete et Exsultate [4-10-18]

Honoring Popes (Even Alleged “Bad” Ones) as Persons [4-11-18]

Are Pope-Critics Evil? Reply to Karl Keating [4-13-18]

Why Have Popes At All if We Reject Papal Guidance? [8-4-18]

Protestant Champion Jerry Walls Notes the Obvious: Many Catholics Think Like Protestants, With Regard to the Authority of the Pope and the Rule of Faith [Facebook, 8-7-18]

Pope Francis Accusers Reject Magisterial Teaching on Popes (The pope’s teaching is indefectible and cannot be judged or “overruled” by any man: or even an ecumenical council) [7-23-20]

St. Paul’s Rebuke of St. Peter = Francis-Bashing? [8-19-20]

If We Have to Constantly Defend Holy Scripture, How Much More the Pope? [Facebook, 10-23-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Pope Francis: Popes Can be Respectfully Criticized [7-21-21]

Did Pope Francis Rebuke Pelosi Re Abortion? (And Why One Seeming Methodological Approach Towards the “Right” and a Very Different One Towards the “Left”?) [10-11-21]

Erasmus’ Criticism of Popes = Today’s Pope-Bashing? [11-10-21]

On the Last Three Popes’ Appointments of Cardinals: Traditionalists Have a Valid Point About Bad Appointments and the Disastrous Appeasement of Theological Liberals in the Church [7-18-22]

“Lying about the Holy Father is a mortal sin” [Facebook discussion thread, 8-22-22]

Pope St. Pius X on Obedience to the Pope + Great Group Discussion [Facebook, 5-19-23]

Ed Feser’s “Respectful and Reserved Criticism” of the Holy Father (?) [Catholic365, 11-29-23]

Bible on the Disgraceful Attitude & Behavior of So Many Pope-Bashers [Facebook, 12-24-23]

Bible on Deference to Popes & Leaders, & Disobedience [12-26-23]

Get it Right! Yours Truly on Papal Criticism (from the Year 2000) and on My Distinctions Among Papal Critics (2018) [Facebook, 1-13-24]

Pope-Criticism: Ultra-Rare, Private, & Saintly (Reply to Clueless Accusations That I Supposedly Think Popes Should Never be Criticized At All, & Make No Distinctions Whatsoever Concerning Papal Critics) [1-15-24]

St. Ignatius of Antioch [50-110 or 117] on Submission to the Bishop [Facebook, 1-25-24]

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PAPAL SCANDALS / “BAD POPES”

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Papal Critics Concede: No Proof of Canonical Papal Heresy [5-10-19]

Reactionary Infiltration of Taylor Marshall’s Book, Infiltration [5-30-19]

Pope Francis Accusers Reject Magisterial Teaching on Popes (The pope’s teaching is indefectible and cannot be judged or “overruled” by any man: or even an ecumenical council) [7-23-20]

Pastor Aeternus (1870): Can a Pope Ever Make Heresy Binding? (Dr. Robert Fastiggi and Ron Conte; edited by Dave Armstrong, in Response to Timothy Flanders) [12-1-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Pope Francis: Most Theological Errors? (Ed Feser) [8-26-22]

Post-Vatican II “Liberal” Popes [Ch. 13 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version) ] [11-25-23]

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DID POPES CLAIM TO BE GOD? / POPES AS ANTICHRIST?
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VEN. POPE PIUS XII AND THE NAZI HOLOCAUST
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[see the many links on my Jews, Judaism, & Old Testament page]
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POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II
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John Paul II Kissing the Koran: Dialogue with Traditionalists [2012; new Introduction added on 6-4-19] [6-4-19]
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Was Pope St. John Paul II a “Modernist”? [Ch. 15 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version)] [11-27-23]
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POPE BENEDICT XVI
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Benedict and Clergy Sexual Abuse: Decisive and Aggressive Action (Judy Roberts; National Catholic Register,  3-5-13)
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POPE FRANCIS
 
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Pope Francis, Foot-Washing, & Humility (Pete Vere & Dave Armstrong) [3-13-13 and 3-30-13]
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Exchange on Pope Francis and the Church (vs. Tony Jokin) [Facebook, 12-17-14]
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Confused or Perplexed About Pope Francis? Possible Relief! [8-18-15]

Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato si: A Beautiful and Profoundly Wise Statement of Christian Environmentalism and Theology of Creation [9-11-15]

Forcing Pope Francis Into Our Own Image [9-18-15]

Reply to Dr. Phil Blosser’s Critique of My Book, Pope Francis Explained [9-24-15]

Must the Pope Explicitly Mention Abortion to Congress? [9-24-15]

Pope Francis’ Strongly Pro-Life Comments to the UN (“Both/And”!) [9-25-15]

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Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [4-28-16]
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I Hope the Pope Will Provide Some Much-Needed Clarity (Re: Answering the Dubia) [National Catholic Register, 9-30-17]
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Burning Heretics, Frying Murderers, & Slavery (Analogies) [8-3-18]

Yes, Virginia, the Pope Believes Mary is Immaculate [12-29-18]

Papal Ring-Kissing, Gossip, & Pharisaical Nitpicking [3-29-19]

Reactionary Signees of Easter “Heresy” Letter (13 of 19) [5-6-19]

Ecclesiological Errors of “Easter Letter” Reactionaries Summed Up (That is, Ones Not Specifically Related to Pope Francis: Especially Vatican II as the Big Bad Wolf) [5-9-19]

Papal Critics Concede: No Proof of Canonical Papal Heresy [5-10-19]

Dr. Echeverria: Francis Wants Development, Not Revolution [5-28-19]

Taylor Marshall’s Whopper: Pope Francis Denies Hellfire? [6-7-19]

Taylor Marshall Lies About Pope Francis & Divorce [6-8-19]

No, Pope Francis Did Not Deny Transubstantiation (Phenomenological Language in Holy Scripture and in the Addresses of Pope Francis) [6-25-19]

Brief Exchange with a Sedevacantist Regarding Pope Francis [Facebook, 6-25-19]

Does Pope Francis Deny the Catholic Doctrine of Merit? No [7-1-19]

Pope Francis & Transubstantiation (vs. Sedevacantists) [7-2-19]

Am I a “Pope Francis Defender”? (Statement of Intent & Purpose) [11-5-19]

Being Anti-Francis is Apparently Far and Away the Most Important Thing for Millions of Catholics These Days. God Help Us! [11-12-19]

Is Pope Francis Against Apologetics & Defending the Faith? [11-26-19]

“Confusing” Pope Francis & Ignorant, Lazy Lay Catholics [11-27-19]

Pope Benedict’s Enthusiastic Approval of Pope Francis [11-27-19]

Hysterical Reactionaries Opposed Pope Francis from Day One (The “inside story” — from Hilary White — of what happened among a cadre of well-known fanatical reactionaries on the very night Pope Francis was elected) [12-3-19]

“Ambiguity”: Classic Reactionary Talking Point & Mantra [12-5-19]

Pope St. John Paul II Respectfully Referred to Pachamama (+ Orthodox Catholic References to “Mother Earth” and Similar Biblical Motifs) [12-13-19]

Pope Francis vs. the Marian Title “Co-Redemptrix”? (+ Documentation of Pope Francis’ and Other Popes’ Use of the Mariological Title of Veneration: “Mother of All”) [12-16-19]

Debate: Pope Francis on Doctrine, Truth, & Evangelizing (vs. Dr. Eduardo Echeverria) [12-16-19]

Pope Francis’ Deep Devotion to Mary (Esp. Mary Mediatrix) [12-23-19]

Pope Francis’ Emphasis on Criticizing Reactionaries (A Theory) [12-30-19]

Pope Francis’ Slap & Loss of Temper (Close Examination) [1-2-20]

Dialogue: Pope Francis vs. Gospel Preaching & Converts? No! (vs. Eric Giunta) [1-3-20]

Reactionaries and Other Pope-Bashers Have a Ready “Answer” to Every Proof of Pope Francis’ Orthodoxy: He’s Simply Lying Through His Teeth! [Facebook, 1-3-20]

Pope Francis (and Others) and Analogies to Jesus (Explanation of a Widely Misunderstood Aspect of Analogical Arguments) [1-6-20]

Pope Francis: Strong Defender of Priestly Celibacy [1-14-20]

Striking Similarities of Pope Francis Derangement Syndrome and Donald Trump Derangement Syndrome / Near-Impossibility of Rational Discussion [Facebook, 1-16-20]

Pope’s Querida Amazonia: Reactionaries Step in it Again [2-13-20]

Dialogue w Timothy Flanders #2: State of Emergency? [2-25-20]

Dr. Fastiggi Defends Pope Francis Re “Pachamama Idolatry” [3-3-20]

Pope Francis vs. the Gospel? Outrageous & Absurd Lies! (Anti-Catholic Protestant James White and Catholic Reactionary Steve Skojec Echo Each Other’s Gigantic Whoppers) [5-26-20]

Legalism Re Pope Francis & Papal Attire (Mozzetta) [7-10-20]

Fratelli tutti: Love is Great; How to Best Apply It? [10-8-20]

Steve Skojec: Pope Sez Death Penalty is Intrinsically Evil (?) [10-8-20]

Death Penalty, Reactionaries, & a Devious Liar-Pope? [10-10-20]

Three Popes & Capital Punishment (vs. Ed Feser) (with Catholic Theologian Dr. Robert Fastiggi) [10-20-20]

Pope Francis, Same-Sex Unions, & Chicken Little Mass Hysteria [10-22-20]

Pope Francis & the Diversity of Religions (The Sedevacantist Outfit Novus Ordo Watch Lies Yet Again About Pope Francis) [11-29-20] 

Kwasniewski vs. Cdl. Newman Re Pope- & Council-Bashing [12-3-20]

Kwasniewski vs. Pope Francis Re “Fundamentalism” (Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI Fully Concur with Pope Francis) [12-9-20]

Pope Francis’ Proper Use of the Term “Fundamentalism” (. . . and the Similar Sociologically Proper Use of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II) [12-28-20]

Dr. Fastiggi on Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis, & Aquinas [2-1-21]

Fr. Z Asks for Pro-Francis “Compendium”. I Provide It [3-9-21]

“Gay Unions”: Leftist & Reactionary Catholics vs. Pope & CDF [3-23-21]

Pope Francis vs. Same-Sex “Marriage”: The Record [3-25-21]

Fr. Peter Stravinskas & Irrational Pope Francis-Bashing: Sad Case Study in Taking the Holy Father’s Words Out of Context and Indefensibly Misrepresenting Them [4-15-21]
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Pope Francis: Indissoluble Marriage & No Divorce (+ Analysis of Ed Feser’s “Doctrinally Problematic” Criticisms) [6-1-21]
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POPE FRANCIS: PHIL LAWLER’S HIT-PIECE, LOST SHEPHERD 
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Quasi-Defectibility and Phil Lawler vs. Pope Francis (see also more documentation of Lawler’s reactionary leanings, on the Facebook thread) [12-28-17]
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Protestant Takes Solace in Douthat’s Pope-Bashing Book (also discusses Phil Lawler) [3-24-18]
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Chris Ferrara & My Debates w Keating & Lawler Re Pope Francis [1-1-18 and 1-2-18; minor additions and changes: 9-25-20]
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POPE FRANCIS: ROSS DOUTHAT’S HIT-PIECE, TO CHANGE THE CHURCH
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POPE FRANCIS: HENRY SIRE’S HIT-PIECE, THE DICTATOR POPE
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POPE FRANCIS: KARL KEATING’S TOME, THE FRANCIS FEUD
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POPE FRANCIS: ARCHBISHOP VIGANO’S RANTINGS
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Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 4,800+ free online articles or fifty-five books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I’m always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!

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Last updated on 8 November 2024

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November 9, 2006

November 9, 2006 By
Front Cover (555 x 834)
(December 2012, 205 pages)
[see complete information and purchase options; this book will shortly be available for free online]
***
Disclaimer


I highly urge more mainstream “traditionalists” who read any of the papers listed below, to first read my paper:  Definitions: Radical Catholic Reactionaries, Mainstream “Traditionalists,” and Supposed “Neo-Catholics” (Chapter One of my book, Mass Movements: Radical Catholic Reactionaries, the New Mass, and Ecumenism), and also my Introduction to this book, as well as my article, Radical Catholic Reactionaries: What They Are Not. This will preclude needless misunderstandings regarding exactly what I am against, and what I agree with. I am not “against” mainstream “traditionalism.” Thanks! I wrote in my Chapter One, linked above:

I have much in common with “traditionalists”. I admire several things about them: . . . I am usually in agreement with “traditionalists” and consider myself a close ally to them. We disagree on some things, but this is far less than the agreement and unity that is present.. . . I don’t share all of their particular concerns or analyses. Nevertheless, I feel quite close to them, and a strong kinship or affinity.
Also, for a very helpful, thoughtful treatment of the general topic, written by my friend David Palm, the self-described “reluctant traditionalist,” see his essay, What is Traditional Catholicism? I don’t agree with absolutely everything he writes, but I think this is a good aid for drawing the necessary distinctions that are so crucial in discussing these matters.
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See also: Errors of Radical Catholic Reactionaries (Collection): 33 archived older papers (Internet Archive) on almost all the topics below

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LEGITIMATE CATHOLIC TRADITIONALISM

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Dietrich von Hildebrand & Legitimate Traditionalism (2-27-02; terminology and a few other minor things revised on 4-18-20)

Why Not Kick Modernist Dissenters Out of the Church? [3-7-02]

Sunny Optimism re God’s Guidance of His Church [7-22-11]

Am I a Catholic Traditionalist? (You Decide!) [8-7-13]

Dialogue with Traditionalist “Boniface” Regarding Modernism in the Church [8-16-13]

Crisis in the Church: What to Do About It? [9-12-13]

Conciliation: “Traditionalists” and Other Orthodox Catholics [9-20-13] 

On Catholic Hyper-Rationalism & Manufactured “Crises” [12-28-13]

Swishy Bishops, Liberal Dissidents, and “PR” Regarding Pope Francis [10-6-14]

On Traditionalist Use of “Conservative Catholic” [5-8-15]

Do “Right” and “Left” Properly Apply (by Analogy) to an Ecclesiastical Spectrum as well as to Political Analysis? [9-13-15]

Indefectibility, Fear, & the Synod on the Family [9-30-15]

Traditionalism & Apologetics: Allies or Enemies? [1-12-16]

Douthat’s Flawed Critique of “Conservative” Catholicism [3-2-16]

Kevin M. Tierney Trashes Scott Eric Alt, Keating, Madrid et al, and Apologetics [Facebook, 7-1-16]

Traditionalist Fr. Chad Ripperger Critiques Traditionalism [7-21-21]

On the Last Three Popes’ Appointments of Cardinals: Traditionalists Have a Valid Point About Bad Appointments and the Disastrous Appeasement of Theological Liberals in the Church [7-18-22]

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CORDIAL, CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUES WITH ONE PETER FIVE EDITOR TIMOTHY FLANDERS

Reply to Timothy Flanders’ Defense of Taylor Marshall [7-8-19]

Dialogue w Ally of Taylor Marshall, Timothy Flanders [7-17-19]

Dialogue w 1P5 Writer Timothy Flanders: Introduction [2-1-20]

Dialogue w Timothy Flanders #2: State of Emergency? [2-25-20]

Alexander Tschugguel, Taylor Marshall, & God’s Wrath [3-19-20]

Is Vatican II Analogous to “Failed” Lateran Council V? [8-11-20]

Dialogue #6 w 1P5 Columnist Timothy Flanders [8-24-20]

Comments on My Ongoing Dialogue with One Peter Five Columnist Timothy Flanders, On His Site [Facebook, 11-2-20]

Dialogue #7 w 1P5 Columnist Timothy Flanders (Highlighting Papal Indefectibility, Pastor Aeternus from Vatican I in 1870, & the “Charitable Anathema”) [12-1-20]

Pastor Aeternus (1870): Can a Pope Ever Make Heresy Binding? (Dr. Robert Fastiggi and Ron Conte; edited by Dave Armstrong, in Response to Timothy Flanders) [12-1-20]

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RADICAL CATHOLIC REACTIONARIES
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Syllabus of 60 Radical Catholic Reactionary Errors [2000]

Debate: My “Syllabus of 60 Catholic Reactionary Errors” [11-24-00]

Radical Catholic Reactionaries vs. an Optimistic Faith [1-21-01]

Dietrich von Hildebrand & Legitimate Traditionalism (2-27-02; terminology and a few other minor things revised on 4-18-20)

Radical Catholic Reactionaries: Essential Characteristics [2002] [ch. 1 of my free online book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries]

Indefectibility of Holy Mother Church: Believe It Or Not [2002]

Faith and Optimism vs. Reactionary Gloomy Pessimism [2002]

Books by Dave Armstrong: Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries [Dec. 2002; revised edition: 8-17-13]

2nd Conversion? Reactionary Absurdities Satirized [10-7-03]

Catholic Fundamentalism & “Insufficiently Converted Catholics” [2-21-06]

Pensées on Radical Catholic Reactionaries [1-5-13]

Pope Francis, Foot-Washing, & Humility (Pete Vere & Dave Armstrong) [3-13-13 and 3-30-13]

Rorate Caeli‘s Pope-Basher, Marcelo González: Holocaust Revisionist [4-8-13]

Why I am Critical of Radical Catholic Reactionaries [8-20-13]

Provocative (?) Thoughts on Radical Catholic Reactionaries [8-23-13]

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Pope Francis on Cardinal Burke [Facebook, 12-8-14]
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Private Judgment & “Cafeteria Catholics” [Ch. 6 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; slightly revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version) ] [11-19-23]
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Fundamentalists & Insufficiently Converted Catholics [Ch. 7 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; slightly revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version) ] [11-19-23]
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The Quasi-Schismatic Mentality [Ch. 16 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; slightly revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version) ] [11-28-23]
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THE REMNANT / CHRIS FERRARA / MICHAEL MATT
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“The Remnant” Winks at Anti-Semitic Hatred [10-12-17; revised on 9-16-20]
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Chris Ferrara & My Debates w Keating & Lawler Re Pope Francis [1-1-18 and 1-2-18; minor additions and changes: 9-25-20]
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STEVE SKOJEC  
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ONE PETER FIVE SITE
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DR. PETER KWASNIEWSKI
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Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [4-28-16]
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Dialogue with a Traditionalist Regarding Deaconesses (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [5-13-16]
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FRANK PAVONE LAICIZATION
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HILARY WHITE (LIFESITE NEWS / THE REMNANT) 

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Hilary White Wants to Trash & Bury Vatican II; I Defend It [6-16-14]

Hilary White: Radical Catholic Reactionary Extraordinaire [2-13-16]

Debate with Hilary White: Masonic “Bergoglianism” or Catholicism? [2-16-16]

Hilary White & Reactionary Language & “Reasoning” [2-27-16]

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LOUIE VERRECCHIO (AKA CATHOLIC)
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TERMINOLOGY ISSUES: RADICAL CATHOLIC REACTIONARIES AND THE DISCARDED RADTRAD

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Radical Catholic Reactionaries: Essential Characteristics [2002] [ch. 1 of my free online book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries]

“Radtrad”: Origins, History, & Debates on Definition [3-18-13; rev. 8-1-13 and 8-8-13]

On the Use of “Traditionalist” Preceding the Name of “Catholic”  [7-3-13]

Pope Francis & Pope Benedict XVI Refer to “Extreme Traditionalism” [8-5-13]

Thoughts on the Discarded Term, Radtrad (and on the Discussion About Ditching It, and Attacks on My Sincerity) [8-6-13]

Definitions: Radical Catholic Reactionaries, Mainstream “Traditionalists,” and Supposed “Neo-Catholics” [revised 8-6-13]

Rationales for My Self-Coined Term, “Radical Catholic Reactionaries” [8-6-13]

“Traditionalist” Concerns Over Labeling and Classifications (Karl Keating’s Word Usage as a “Test Case”) [8-8-13]

My Coined Term, “Radical Catholic Reactionary”: Clarifications [10-5-17]

I Coined “Reactionary” [Catholic], Not Michael Voris [2-1-18]

Keating & Double Standards on “Traditionalist” Labeling [6-3-18]

Clarifying My Coined Term, “Radical Catholic Reactionary” [4-3-20]

Definition of “Radical Catholic Reactionary”: Dialogue (With Particular Reference to [Traditionalist] Timothy Gordon) [9-6-20]

Title: “Radical Catholic Reactionaries”: Exchange w Karl Keating [3-4 December 2020]

Radical Catholic Reactionaries: What They Are Not [9-28-21]

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TERMINOLOGY ISSUES: NEO-CATHOLIC

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Neo-Catholic (Silly Radical Catholic Reactionary Term) [4-21-05]

Objections to the Reactionary Epithet Neo-Catholic [3-9-07] 

Debate: Am I a Neo-Catholic? (Defined as Theological Liberal / Progressive / Enabler of Modernism) [vs. Mr. X] [6-11-14]

Dialogue: Meaning of “Neo-Catholic” (w Phillip Campbell) [11-27-20]

So-Called “Neo-Catholics” [Ch. 4 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the free online version). [11-17-23]

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TRIDENTINE MASS AND “NEW” PAULINE) MASS / LITURGICAL DISPUTES
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What Can Laypeople Do Regarding Liturgical Abuses? [2-19-08]

“New” / Ordinary Form / Pauline Mass: a Traditional Defense (with Massive Historical Documentation, + Summary of Vatican II on Liturgical Reform) [6-18-08]

Reactionary & Traditionalist Reaction to Summorum Pontificum [6-23-08]

Dialogue on Method of Communion & Liturgical Development (vs. David Palm) [6-25-08]

Can Communion in the Hand be Equally Reverent? [7-13-11]

Death of the Reform of the Reform of the Liturgy? (The Reports are Greatly Exaggerated: Dr. Peter Kwasniewski & Fr. Thomas Kocik vs. Pope Benedict XVI?)  [+ Part Two] [2-24-14] 

Karl Keating on the Underlying Causes of Residual Prejudice Against the Tridentine Mass (+ a Defense of Vatican II in the Combox) [Facebook, 3-8-14] 

Two Forms of One Rite (Pope Benedict XVI) [11-4-15]

Critique of Criticisms of the New Mass [11-5-15]

Worshiping the TLM vs. Worshiping God Through It [12-16-15]

Ratzinger “Banal” Quote: Traditionalist & Reactionary Misuse (Regarding the Ordinary Form Mass) [12-17-15]

Pope Francis Foot-Washing Controversy Redux [3-26-16]

Dialogue with a Traditionalist Regarding Deaconesses (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [5-13-16]

Superstition About the “Preserved” High Altar at Notre Dame (And Continued Cynical, Highly Selective, “Pick and Choose” Acceptance of the Teaching of Pope Benedict XVI) [4-17-19]

Bishop Schneider: No Jesus Better than Hand-Communion [3-14-20]

Communion in the Hand: Reactionaries vs. St. Cyril [3-15-20]

Is God Judging the World for Communion in the Hand? [4-13-20]

We Attended an Extraordinary Form [Tridentine] Mass Today [Facebook, 8-30-20]

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TRADITIONIS CUSTODES

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Pope Francis’ Traditionis Custodes is for the Sake of Unity [7-16-21]

Skojec Loathes Traditionis; Illustrates Why it is Necessary [7-19-21]

Catholics (?) Trash, Judge, & Mind-Read the Pope (In 1968, “all” the liberal Catholics rejected Humanae Vitae. Now in 2021, “all” the self-described “conservative” Catholics reject Traditionis Custodes — and none see the outright absurdity and irony of this) [7-20-21]

Traditionis Custodes: Sky Hasn’t Fallen (Bishops) [8-2-21]

Dialogue w Traditionalist “Hurt” by Traditionis Custodes [8-2-21]

Traditionis Custodes Results: No Fallen Sky (I Called It) [9-6-21]

Traditionis Custodes: Sky Still Intact After Two Months [9-14-21]

Traditionis Custodes: Sky is Here After Four Months! (Reports of the Death of the TLM Have Been — Like Mark Twain’s Death Before He Actually Died — Greatly Exaggerated) [11-17-21]

Vatican Further Tightens Restrictions on the TLM: A Few Thoughts [Facebook, 12-18-21]

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VATICAN II

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Infallibility, Councils, and Levels of Church Authority: Explanation of the Subtleties of Church Teaching and Debate with Several Radical Catholic Reactionaries [7-30-99; terminology updated, and a few minor changes made on 7-31-18] 

Dialogue: Vatican II & Other Religions (Nostra Aetate) [8-1-99]

Cdl Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI): Vatican II Authority = Trent [5-20-05]

Dialogue: Do Vatican II & Ecumenism Discourage Converts? [Sep. 2009]

Radical Catholic Reactionaries and Vatican II [Facebook discussion, 8-17-13]

Dialogue on Vatican II: Interpretation, and Application (with Patti Sheffield vs. traditionalist David Palm) [9-20-13]

Karl Keating on the Underlying Causes of Residual Prejudice Against the Tridentine Mass (+ a Defense of Vatican II in the Combox) [Facebook, 3-8-14]

Vatican II Defended Against Reactionary (and Some Traditionalist) Charges [4-25-14; expanded and re-edited: 1-23-17]

Defense of Vatican II and Ecumenism (Dave Armstrong and Paul Hoffer vs. Tony Jokin) [Facebook discussion thread, 12-18-14]

Apologia for Vatican II / Misguided Reactionary Criticisms [8-17-15]

Defending Ecumenism and Vatican II vs. Reactionary Catholics [8-10-17]

Indefectibility, Reactionaries, Vatican II, & Defectibility [?] of the Church [Facebook, 10-27-17]

Popes Leading the Church Into False Doctrine (E.g., Paul VI) (+ Facebook discussion) [3-8-18]

Douthat’s Pope-Bashing Book Attacks Vatican II [3-24-18]

Catholic (?) Vatican II-Bashing: Cutting Thru the Crap [4-25-19]

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Series: Vs. Paolo Pasqualucci Re Vatican II
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Vatican II Upheld Biblical Inerrancy (vs. David Palm) [4-23-20]
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“Pre-Conciliar” Church: the “Good Old Days” [Ch. 8 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; slightly revised in November 2023) [11-21-23]
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Is Vatican II a “Modernist” Council? [Ch. 11 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version)] [11-22-23]
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POPES AND POPE-BASHING
 
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“Nothing New”: Reactionary Attacks on Pope St. John Paul II [4-9-05; with tie-in endnote added on 3-2-18]
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Is Pope Francis Guilty of Mariological Heresy Tradition (His Comments on the Possible Momentary Temptation of Mary at the Cross) [1-19-14]

Who’s Defending Pope Benedict’s  Summorum Pontificum Now? [2-26-14]

Does Pope Francis Think that Jesus Was a Sinner? (. . . Beyond Bearing Our Sins on the Cross; i.e., Partaking / Entering Into Sin)? [2-27-14]

Opposition to Extreme Anti-Francis Bias: Elliot Bougis [2-28-14]

Pope St. John XXIII & Pope Benedict XVI on “Prophets of Doom” [6-9-14]

Reply to Dr. Phil Blosser’s Critique of My Book, Pope Francis Explained [8-23-14]

Pope Francis: Orthodox & Pro-Tradition [Dan Marcum, Catholic Answers Forum, 1-9-15] [see also a compact, abridged Facebook version]

Critique of Chris Ferrara’s Radical Reactionary Hit-Piece in Opposition to Pope Francis’ Christian Environmentalism [6-20-15] 

Are Modern Papal Encyclicals Too Long? [7-9-15]

Michael Voris on Benedict’s “Immoral” Resignation, Questionable Illness [12-15-15]

The Ridiculous “Anti-Francis” Mentality: My Theory in Brief [12-17-15]

Pope Francis Espoused a Sinning Jesus? Think Again [1-8-16]

On the Endless Second-Guessing of Pope Francis [2-25-16]

Pope Francis Foot-Washing Controversy Redux [3-26-16]

Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [4-28-16]

Dialogue: Pope Francis Doesn’t Evangelize? (and on the Nature of Dialogue vs. [?] the Gospel; with a Traditionalist) [4-29-16]Pope Francis: Obsessed with “Change”? [5-14-16]  

Robert Sungenis’ Theological & Scientific Errors + His Groundless Attacks on Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict [compiled 5-31-16]

“Confusing” Pope Francis & Prudent Public Discussion [6-22-16]

Ratzinger: Avoid Criticizing Church in “Mass Media”  [6-26-16]

The Real & the Imaginary Pope Francis [6-28-16]

Radical Reactionary Affinities in “Filial Correction” Signatories [9-28-17]

Did Cardinal Burke Criticize Pope Benedict’s Resignation? [1-13-18]

Reactionary Influence: Correctio & June 2016 Criticism of the Pope [1-24-18]

Popes Leading the Church Into False Doctrine (E.g., Paul VI) (+ Facebook discussion) [3-8-18]

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John Paul II Kissing the Koran: Dialogue with Traditionalists [2012; new Introduction added on 6-4-19] [6-4-19]
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Pastor Aeternus (1870): Can a Pope Ever Make Heresy Binding? (Dr. Robert Fastiggi and Ron Conte; edited by Dave Armstrong, in Response to Timothy Flanders) [12-1-20]
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AMORIS LAETITIA
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ECUMENISM AND SALVATION “OUTSIDE” THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Defense of Vatican II and Ecumenism (Dave Armstrong and Paul Hoffer vs. Tony Jokin) [Facebook discussion thread, 12-18-14]
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TAYLOR MARSHALL AND HIS BOOK, INFILTRATION: THE PLOT TO DESTROY THE CHURCH FROM WITHIN
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MICHAEL VORIS (CHURCH MILITANT)

“Amazing Grace”: “Anti-Catholic” Hymn? (as Michael Voris thinks?) [11-1-10]

Michael Voris’ Denigration of the Ordinary Form of the Mass vs. Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 Decrees [11-16-12]

Michael Voris’ Ultra-Pessimistic Views Regarding the Church [7-3-13]

Critique of Three Michael Voris Statements Regarding the State of the Church [7-3-13]

Michael Voris’ Anti-Protestant Rhetoric (+ vigorous Facebook discussion) [8-8-13]

Michael Voris and Historic Communion in the Hand (Standing) (+ vigorous Facebook discussion) [8-8-13]

Dave Armstrong’ Opinion on Michael Voris’ Outlook [8-12-13]

Michael Voris’ Critique of Catholic Answers Salaries (and Contention that Two Radio Shows on Radical Catholic Reactionaries Have Harmed CA)  [8-31-13]

Michael Voris vs. “Financially Compromised” Apologists (Thus, “Establishment” Apologists Deliberately Avoid Criticizing Bishop???) [+ Facebook discussion] [9-2-13]

Michael Voris’ Fawning Interview with Extremist and Anti-Semite E. Michael Jones, and Responses [Facebook discussion: 9-3-13]

Discussion on Rising Priestly Vocations in the United States and Worldwide [Facebook, 12-3-13]

Has Michael Voris Espoused Geocentrism? (His Interview with Robert Sungenis and Rick DeLano) [Facebook discussion, 1-9-14]

Michael Voris Strongly Implies that Many (Most?) Bishops Will Go to Hell / How Much Should We Dwell on Criticisms of Bishops? [Facebook, 1-13-14]

Jeremiad Against Michael Voris’ Latest Doom-and-Gloom Video, The New Church (18 June 2014) [Facebook, 6-19-14]

Michael Voris on Benedict’s “Immoral” Resignation, Questionable Illness [12-15-15]

I Coined “Reactionary” [Catholic], Not Michael Voris [2-1-18]

Response to Michael Voris’ Church Militant and Article Author Jim Russell Concerning Criticism of the Patheos Catholic Channel (Where I Also Blog) [Facebook, 3-14-19; posted comment at CM]

Dave Gordon, Former Employee at Church Militant, on the Reasons for Michael Voris’ Dismissal (Active Homosexual Sex), and the Corruption of the Board [Facebook, 12-2-23]

Christine Niles (Michael Voris’ Sidekick for Nine Years) Spills the Beans About What Has Been Going On at Church Militant [Facebook, 12-5-23]

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ERRORS OF ROBERT SUNGENIS 
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Robert Sungenis’ Theological & Scientific Errors + His Groundless Attacks on Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict [compiled 5-31-16]

 

SEDEVACANTISM
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Some Fun Insults of Yours Truly from a Sedevacantist Wacko Site [Facebook, 9-3-13]

Karl Keating on Gerry Matatics (One-Time Good Friend of Scott Hahn’s and Now a Sedevacantist) [Facebook,  9-4-13]

Reply to a Sedevacantist and Those Toying with this Dangerous Error [Facebook, 11-6-14]

Gerry Matatics: Closer to Donatism or Protestantism? (vs. Pete Vere, JCL) [12-30-14]

Sedevacantists Offer an Absurd and Stupid Insult-Fest of Yours Truly [Facebook, 2-27-19]

Brief Exchange with a Sedevacantist Regarding Pope Francis [Facebook, 6-25-19]

No, Pope Francis Did Not Deny Transubstantiation (Phenomenological Language in Holy Scripture and in the Addresses of Pope Francis) [6-25-19]

Does Pope Francis Deny the Catholic Doctrine of Merit? No [7-1-19]

Pope Francis & Transubstantiation (vs. Sedevacantists) [7-2-19]

The Sedevacantists Strike Back! The Wickedness of Buddy Holly! [Facebook, 7-5-19]

Pope Francis & the Diversity of Religions (The Sedevacantist Outfit Novus Ordo Watch Lies Yet Again About Pope Francis) [11-29-20]

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THE EXCOMMUNICATED ARCHBISHOP CARLO MARIA VIGANO 

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Bishops Viganò & Schneider Reject Authority of Vatican II [11-22-19]

Viganò, Schneider, Pachamama, & VCII (vs. Janet E. Smith) [11-25-19]

Abp. Viganò Descends into Fanatical Reactionary Nuthood (. . . Declares Pope Francis a Heretical Narcissist Who “Desacralized” & “Impugned” & “Attack[ed]” Mary) [12-20-19]

Dr. Fastiggi: Open Letter Re Abp. Viganò, Pope Francis, & Mary [2-22-20]

Abp. Viganò, the Pope, & the “Vicar of Christ” Nothingburger (with Catholic Theologian Dr. Robert Fastiggi and Apologist Karl Keating) [4-6-20]

Abp. Viganò Whopper #289: Pope Forbids All Evangelism (?) [4-8-20]

Dr. Dawn Eden Goldstein Speaks Out Against Abp. Viganò’s Continuing Descent Into Madness and Paranoia [Facebook, 4-29-20]

Is Archbishop Viganò in Schism? [Dr. Robert Fastiggi, Where Peter Is, 6-13-20]

Thoughts on Abp. Viganò & the Continuing “Wacko-ization” & Fanaticism of the Anti-Francis Mentality [Facebook, 6-14-20]

Abp. Viganò: Fanaticism, Extremism, and Conspiratorialism (Summary from August 2019 Until July 2020: Alarming, Increasingly Quasi-Schismatic Spirit) [7-13-20]

What’s So Bad About Abp. Viganò? (Traditionalists Ask) [7-14-20]

Viganò’s Outrageous Lie Re Pope Benedict XVI & Tradition (Unwillingness to Make Even Rudimentary Efforts to Consult Context or to Understand a Pope’s Overall Thinking) [8-21-20]

Abp. Viganò Lies Again & Sez Pope Francis is a Heretic Subversive [Facebook, 9-26-20]

Phil Lawler Says that the McCarrick Report “undermines Archbishop Vigano’s most damaging charge” [Facebook, 11-10-20]

Archbishop Viganò Continues His Descent Into Madness, Denial of Catholic Indefectibility, and Conspiratorialism [Facebook, 12-21-20]

Extremist Reactionary Abp. Vigano Thinks it’s “Necessary” to “Disobey” Pope Francis and to Pray for His Death [Facebook, 2-5-21]

Archbishop Viganò is Now a Full-Blown Sedevacantist Heretic and Should be Excommunicated [Facebook, 4-24-21]

Pope Francis Has Answered the Five Dubia in His Teachings (+ Legitimate Biblical & Spiritual Reasons for His Not Directly Answering Particularly Accusatory, Ill-Willed, & Wrongminded Critics) [8-3-23]

Abp. Vigano to Stand Trial for Schism [Facebook, 6-20-24]

Vigano Excommunicated. What Do His Rabid Followers Do Now? [Facebook, 7-5-24]

Dr. Janet E. Smith and Bp. Strickland Wishy-Washy and Compromised Regarding Viganò [Facebook, 7-12-24]

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A Response to Archbishop Viganò’s Letter about Vatican II (Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM., Cap., The Catholic World Report, 8-13-20)

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BISHOP ATHANASIUS SCHNEIDER

Bishops Viganò & Schneider Reject Authority of Vatican II [11-22-19]

Viganò, Schneider, Pachamama, & VCII (vs. Janet E. Smith) [11-25-19]

Bishop Schneider: No Jesus Better than Hand-Communion [3-14-20]

Bp. Schneider Evokes Luther’s Disdain for Councils [7-17-20]

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“PACHAMAMA” ALLEGED IDOLATRY AT THE AMAZON SYNOD / “MOTHER EARTH” / CORONAVIRUS & ALLEGED JUDGMENT

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Statues [of Mary?] Thrown Into the Tiber River in Rome Controversy (discussion thread + 2nd thread) [Facebook, 10-24-19]

“Pachamama” [?] Statues: Marian Veneration or Blasphemous Idolatry? [11-5-19]

“Pachamama” Fiasco: Hysterical Reactionaryism, as Usual [11-8-19]

“Pachamama” Confusion: Fault of Vatican or Catholic Media? [11-12-19]

Anti-“Pachamama” Doc: “Usual Suspect” Reactionaries Sign [11-14-19]

Vatican II –> Alleged “Pachamama” Idolatry, Sez Fanatics [11-15-19]

Alexander Tschugguel, the Guy (St. Boniface II) who Threw the Statues into the Tiber, is (Quite Likely) Anti-Vatican II [Facebook, 11-23-19]

Pope St. John Paul II Respectfully Referred to Pachamama (+ Orthodox Catholic References to “Mother Earth” and Similar Biblical Motifs) [12-13-19]

Wacko Reactionary Fanatic Claims That I Endorse Homosexual Acts and “Pachamama” Idolatry [Case Study of Fantastically Out-of-Context Citations] / He Sanctions Hatred [Facebook, 12-17-19]

Is “Mother Earth” a Catholic Concept (Church Fathers)? (guest post by Rosemarie Scott) [12-17-19]

“Pachamama” Redux (vs. Peter Kwasniewski & Janet Smith) [12-17-19]

Dialogue: “Pachamama” (?) Statues & Marian Iconography [12-24-19]

Dr. Fastiggi Defends Pope Francis Re “Pachamama Idolatry” [3-3-20]

Taylor Marshall: Pachamama “Idolatry” Judged by Coronavirus (Yet “Antichrist” Pope Francis Walks the Streets of Pandemic-Ravaged Rome Free of the Virus . . .) [3-17-20]

Alexander Tschugguel, Taylor Marshall, & God’s Wrath [3-19-20]

Priest Blasphemes God (Coronavirus = Judgment?) [4-10-20]

Dialogue: Is Coronavirus the Way that God Judges? [4-13-20]

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Last updated on 20 September 2024
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November 8, 2006

November 8, 2006 By
Strasbourg Cathedral
Strasbourg Cathedral (Alsace, France). At 466 feet, it was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874. It remains the highest extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages. Photo by David Iliff (2-8-14) [Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 3.0 license]
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This testimony of the universal holy Christian Church, even if we had nothing else, would be a sufficient warrant for holding this article [on the sacrament] and refusing to suffer or listen to a sectary, for it is dangerous and fearful to hear or believe anything against the unanimous testimony, belief, and teaching of the universal holy Christian churches, unanimously held in all the world from the beginning until now over fifteen hundred years.
 
(Martin Luther, in the year 1532; from Protestant Luther biographer Roland H. Bainton, Studies on the Reformation [Boston: Beacon Press, 1963], p. 26; primary source: WA [Werke, Weimar edition in German], XXX, 552)
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GENERAL ECCLESIOLOGY 
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Are Catholics Christians? (vs. James White) [May 1995]
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Is the One True Church a Visible or Invisible Entity? [National Catholic Register, 9-12-18]
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The Authority of the Catholic Church (+ Pt. 2): chapter two of my 2009 book, Bible Truths for Catholic Truths: A Source Book for Apologists and Inquirers [10-16-23]
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THE INDEFECTIBILITY OF THE CHURCH

“Could the Catholic Church Go Off the Rails?” (Indefectibility) [1997]

Anti-Catholic Orthodox Claims of Exclusive Apostolic Succession [Nov. 1998; revised in 2004]

Indefectibility: Does God Protect His Church from Doctrinal Error? [11-1-05; abridged and reformulated a bit on 2-14-17]

“The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail” Against the Church [11-11-08]

Indefectibility of the One True Church (vs. Calvin #9) [5-16-09]

Indefectibility & Apostolic Succession (vs. Calvin #10) [5-18-09]

Sunny Optimism Regarding God’s Guidance of His Church Now and Always (Including Liturgical Discussion) [7-22-11]

Dialogue with a Lutheran on Ecclesiology & Old Testament Indefectibility Analogies [11-22-11]

St. Francis de Sales: Bible vs. Total Depravity (+ Biblical Evidence for the Indefectibility of the Church, from the Psalms)  [11-24-11]

The Bible on the Indefectibility of the Church [2013]

Michael Voris’ Ultra-Pessimistic Views Regarding the Church [7-3-13]

Critique of Three Michael Voris Statements Regarding the State of the Church [7-3-13]

Indefectibility, Fear, & the Synod on the Family [9-30-15]

Quasi-Defectibility and Phil Lawler vs. Pope Francis (see also more documentation of Lawler’s reactionary leanings, on the Facebook thread) [12-28-17]

Salesian Apologetics #1: Indefectibility of the Church [2-4-20]

Reply to a Despairing Catholic Seminarian (Indefectibility) [6-26-21]

The Indefectibility of the Church [Ch. 3 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in December 2023 for the free online version) ]
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APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION
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Apostolic Succession as Seen in the Jerusalem Council [National Catholic Register, 1-15-17]
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Answers to Questions About Apostolic Succession [National Catholic Register, 7-25-20]
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A New Biblical Argument for Apostolic Succession [National Catholic Register, 4-23-21]
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Dave Armstrong Responds to Gavin Ortlund on Jerome & the Monepiscopacy [30-minute audio presentation Suan Sonna’s YouTube channel, Intellectual Catholicism, on 2-4-24]
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CLERGY AND ORDINATION / HOLY ORDERS / BISHOPS
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Bishops in the Apostolic Church [1-16-01; rev. 5-7-03]
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Bishops: NT, Early Church, & Baptists (vs. James White) [1-16-01] 
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Dialogue: “Bad” Bishops & “Confusing” Francis (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [4-28-16]
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The Biblical Basis for the Priesthood [National Catholic Register, 11-2-18]
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Offices in the Early Church [Facebook, 10-16-23]
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YouTube VIDEO: Biblical Proof you should call Catholic Priests “Father” (Kenny Burchard, utilizing my research, 9-15-24)
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WOMEN’S ORDINATION / CATHOLIC VIEW OF WOMEN
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Dialogue with a Traditionalist Regarding Deaconesses (vs. Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) [5-13-16]
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ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY / HIERARCHICAL AND EPISCOPAL ECCLESIOLOGY

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Anathemas of Trent & Excommunication: An Explanation [5-20-03, incorporating portions from 1996 and 1998; abridged on 7-30-18]
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Catholics Accept All of the Church’s Dogmatic Teaching [National Catholic Register, 9-18-18]
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Orthodoxy: The ‘Equilibrium’ That Sets Us Free [National Catholic Register, 3-29-19]
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Does Sola Scriptura Create Chaos? (vs. Steve Hays) [5-15-20]
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RULE OF FAITH (BIBLE + CHURCH + TRADITION)

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Papal Infallibility Doctrine: History (Including Luther’s Dissent at the Leipzig Disputation in 1519) (Related also to the particular circumstances of the origins of sola Scriptura) [10-8-07]
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Orthodoxy: The ‘Equilibrium’ That Sets Us Free [National Catholic Register, 3-29-19]
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1 Timothy 3:15 = Church Infallibility (vs. Steve Hays) [5-14-20]
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Does Sola Scriptura Create Chaos? (vs. Steve Hays) [5-15-20]
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CONSCIENCE AND PRIVATE JUDGMENT / DISSENT
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Conscience Must be Formed in Harmony with the Church (Proof from Scripture & the Catechism of the Catholic Church) [7-19-09] 
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How Much Can Catholics Disagree with the Church? [4-7-01 and 3-13-09 and 9-23-10]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 5: Private Judgment, the Rule of Faith, and Dr. Salmon’s Weak Fallible Protestant “Church”: Subject to the Whims of Individuals; Church Fathers Misquoted [3-15-23]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 6: The Innumerable Perils of Perspicuity of Scripture and Private Judgment [3-16-23]
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ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY: THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL
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Dialogue on Vatican II: Its Relative Worth, Interpretation, and Application (with Patti Sheffield vs. Traditionalist David Palm) [9-15-13]
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Series: Vs. Paolo Pasqualucci Re Vatican II
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Vatican II Upheld Biblical Inerrancy (vs. David Palm) [4-23-20]
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Bp. Schneider Evokes Luther’s Disdain for Councils [7-17-20]

Is Vatican II Analogous to “Failed” Lateran Council V? (Reply to Timothy Flanders) [8-11-20]

Viganò’s Outrageous Lie Re Pope Benedict XVI & Tradition (Unwillingness to Make Even Rudimentary Efforts to Consult Context or to Understand a Pope’s Overall Thinking) [8-21-20]

Vatican II: Documentation of Bishops’ Voting on its Documents (Ranked in Order from Most Dissenting Votes to Least Dissenting Votes) [9-17-21]

Defense of Vatican II vs. Oliveira Leonardo’s Attacks [10-13-22]

Is Vatican II a “Modernist” Council? [Ch. 11 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version)] [11-22-23]
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Are the Vatican II Documents “Ambiguous”? [Ch. 12 of my book, Reflections on Radical Catholic Reactionaries (December 2002; revised in November 2023 for the purpose of the free online version)] [11-24-23]
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**

A Response to Archbishop Viganò’s Letter about Vatican II (Fr. Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM., Cap., The Catholic World Report, 8-13-20)

Vatican II and “weaponized ambiguity” (Dr. Pedro Gabriel, Where Peter Is, 10-1-20)

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ECCLESIASTICAL AUTHORITY: THE FIRST VATICAN COUNCIL
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CHURCH INFALLIBILITY AND INFALLIBLE ECUMENICAL COUNCILS 
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Pope Silvester and the Council of Nicaea (vs. James White) [August 1997]

Conciliar Infallibility: Summary from Church Documents [6-5-98] 

Infallibility, Councils, and Levels of Church Authority: Explanation of the Subtleties of Church Teaching and Debate with Several Radical Catholic Reactionaries [7-30-99; terminology updated, and a few minor changes made on 7-31-18] 

Eastern Orthodoxy, Councils, & Doctrinal Development [2000]

The Analogy of an Infallible Bible to an Infallible Church [11-6-05; rev. 7-25-15; published at National Catholic Register: 6-16-17]

Cdl. Newman, Vatican I & II, & Papal Infallibility (Clarification) [12-10-05]

The Bible on Papal & Church Infallibility [5-16-06]

Galileo Affair: No Disproof of Catholic Infallibility (vs. Ken Temple) [5-18-06]

Council of Nicea: Reply to James White: Its Relationship to Pope Sylvester, Athanasius’ Views, & the Unique Preeminence of Catholic Authority [4-2-07]

Protestant Historian Philip Schaff: The Church Fathers Believed in Conciliar Infallibility Based on the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) [Facebook, 10-8-07]

Infallibility: Dialogue with a Traditional Anglican [10-6-08] 

Papal Participation in the First Seven Ecumenical Councils [4-22-09]

Popes & Early Ecumenical Councils (vs. Calvin #16) [6-15-09]

Authority and Infallibility of Councils (vs. Calvin #26) [8-25-09]

Catholic Development of Doctrine: A Defense (vs. Jason Engwer; Emphasis on the Canon of the Bible & Church Infallibility) (+ Pt. II / Pt. III / Pt. IV) [1-15-10]

Dialogue with an Atheist on the Galileo Fiasco and its Relation to Catholic Infallibility (vs. Jon Curry) [8-11-10]

Books by Dave Armstrong: Biblical Proofs for an Infallible Church and Papacy [2012]

“Reply to Calvin” #2: Infallible Church Authority [3-3-17]

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1 Timothy 3:15 = Church Infallibility (vs. Steve Hays) [5-14-20]
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Ecumenical Councils: Catholic vs. Lutheran Perspective (vs. Pastor Ken Howes [LCMS]) [6-16-20]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 2 . . . In Which Dr. Salmon Accuses Cardinal Newman of Lying Through His Teeth in His Essay on Development, & Dr. Murphy Magnificently Defends Infallibility and Doctrinal Development Against Gross Caricature [3-12-23]
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Irish Ecclesiastical Record vs. Anti-Catholic George Salmon, Pt. 5: Private Judgment, the Rule of Faith, and Dr. Salmon’s Weak Fallible Protestant “Church”: Subject to the Whims of Individuals; Church Fathers Misquoted [3-15-23]
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HERETICAL CONCILIARISM
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Which Has More Authority: A Pope or an Ecumenical Council? [National Catholic Register, 5-19-21]
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THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL
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Apostolic Succession as Seen in the Jerusalem Council [National Catholic Register, 1-15-17]
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Were the Jerusalem Council Decrees Universally Binding? [National Catholic Register, 12-4-19]
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Which Has More Authority: A Pope or an Ecumenical Council? [National Catholic Register, 5-19-21]
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REASONS WHY PEOPLE LEAVE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
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Leaving Catholicism (Not Primarily Due to Sex Scandals!) (reply to Michael Boyle & Melinda Selmys) [10-5-18]
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Why Do I Continue to Blog at Patheos Catholic: Which Also Hosts Many Heterodox and Leftist Writers? (+ discussion of Mindy Selmys’ departure) [Facebook, 3-16-19]
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Are Abuse Scandals a Reason to Leave the Church? [National Catholic Register, 3-31-19]
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THE “INFALLIBILITY REGRESS” (PROTESTANT POLEMICAL ARGUMENT)
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THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT
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Catholic Charismatic Movement Defended [1998; abridged on 8-2-18] 
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The People of the Bible Were ‘People of Praise’ [National Catholic Register, 10-15-20]
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CLERICAL CELIBACY

Clerical Celibacy & the Principle of Asceticism in Catholicism (Louis Bouyer) [1997; Facebook]

Mandatory Celibacy of Priests & Religious (Dialogue) [1997-1998]

Why Peter’s Marriage Doesn’t Disprove Catholicism: A Dialogue [January 1999]

Clerical Celibacy: Hostile Protestant Commentary & Catholic Replies [2-21-04]

Martin Luther & Antipathy Towards Clerical Celibacy [2-21-04]

Dialogue w a Baptist on Required Clerical Celibacy [7-2-06] 

Objections to Clerical Celibacy: In-Depth Dialogue [7-12-06]

Unbiblical Rejection of Priestly Celibacy (vs. Calvin #31) [9-15-09]

Clerical Celibacy: Dialogue with John Calvin [9-17-09]

Mandatory Celibacy of Catholic Priests in the Western / Latin Rite: A New (?) Argument [11-16-12]

Further Reflections on Mandatory Priestly Celibacy [8-2-14]

The Fruitfulness of the Eunuch Devoted to God (Isaiah 56) (Paul Seberras) [Facebook, 2-7-17]

Consecrated Virginity & Catholic “Both / And” [9-13-17]

Priestly Celibacy: Ancient, Biblical and Pauline [National Catholic Register, 9-18-17]

Priestly Celibacy: Garden-Variety Objections Debunked [9-18-17]

Married Bishops (1 Tim 3) & Catholic Celibacy: Contradiction? [9-18-17; expanded on 6-20-18]

Q & A with a Critic of Priestly Celibacy [National Catholic Register, 2-4-19]

Thoughts on Fr. Jonathan Morris’ Laicization Request [5-21-19]

Madison vs. Jesus #5: Cultlike Forsaking of Family? [8-5-19]

Pope Francis: Strong Defender of Priestly Celibacy [1-14-20]

Priestly Celibacy as a Discipline: Steve Skojec’s Ignorance [3-20-20]

St. Peter’s Marriage and Priestly Celibacy [National Catholic Register, 4-9-20]

Dialogue: Are More Married Catholic Priests Desirable? [1-13-22]

On Whether Required Celibacy is “Biblical” (vs. Lucas Banzoli) [9-24-22]

Objection to Mandatory Priestly Celibacy Based on Married Bishops (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9) [Facebook, 9-24-22] 

Clergy Celibacy: Back-and-Forth with Lucas Banzoli [11-16-22]

Priestly Celibacy: Explicit and Undeniable Biblical Proof [Catholic365, 11-6-23]

Peter’s Wife, James Swan, Celibacy, & Catholicism (The Perfectly Sensible and Explicit Biblical Rationale for Priestly Celibacy) [3-15-24]

Celibate Clergy: Reply to a Methodist Polemic [5-20-24]

Is Celibacy “Superior” to Marriage in Some Sense? [7-24-24]

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TITLE OF CATHOLIC

Catholic or Roman Catholic? (Proper Titles) (w J. Akin) [1996] 

Catholic Christian Implies a Non-Catholic Ecclesiology? [3-23-06] 

Objections to the Reactionary Epithet Neo-Catholic [3-9-07] 

In What Century Did the Title, “Catholic Church” Begin? [7-22-07]

On the Use of Traditionalist Preceding the Name of Catholic [7-3-13]

On the Use of the Titles Catholic & Roman Catholic [10-20-17]

Jame’s White: Hypocritical Use of “Roman Catholic Church” [11-11-19]

 

GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

Is Catholicism Half-Pagan? [1999; revised in one section on 2-22-06]

Is Catholicism Half-Pagan, & a Blend of Gospel & Lies? [2007]

Biblical Evidence for Expensive Church Buildings [3-18-08]

Why Is the Catholic Church Singularly Despised & Hated? [7-7-08]

“Why are Catholics So Legalistic and Rationalistic?” (Response to Orthodox and Protestant Criticisms) [9-8-08]

Biblical Evidence Against Tithing [2-4-09]

Biblical Evidence for Holy Days [9-21-09]

Mandatory Tithing: Further Thoughts [11-1-09]

“Leaven” of the Pharisees: Hypocrisy or False Doctrine? (vs. Nathan Rinne) [11-3-11]

Reply to Robin Phillips’ “Why I’m Not a Catholic” [1-31-12]

Dialogue on the Renaissance: Good or Bad Thing? [3-20-13]

Discussion of the Met Gala, in Which Catholicism was Mocked in Some of the Costumes [Facebook, 5-8-18]

Take Heart: Notre Dame Will be Rebuilt: Better Than Ever! [4-16-19]

“Who is My Mother?”: Beginning of “Familial Church” [8-26-19]

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ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA (MOTHER TERESA)

Mother Teresa on Love & Theology [9-5-16]

Malcolm Muggeridge & Mother Teresa: A Blessed, Fruitful Meeting [9-6-16]

The Holy Collaboration of Mother Teresa and Malcom Muggeridge [National Catholic Register, 6-20-18]

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Practical Matters:  I run the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site: rated #1 for Christian sites by leading AI tool, ChatGPT — endorsed by popular Protestant blogger Adrian Warnock. Perhaps some of my 4,800+ free online articles or fifty-five books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I’m always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Here’s also a second page to get to PayPal. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing (including Zelle), see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!
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Last updated on 15 September 2024

***** 
November 8, 2006

November 8, 2006 By
Trinity2

Basic minimal (equilateral triangular) version of the “Shield of the Trinity” or “Scutum Fidei” diagram of traditional Christian symbolism [public domain / Wikimedia Commons]

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CHRISTOLOGY / DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST
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Jesus is God: Hundreds of Biblical Proofs (RSV edition) [1982; rev. 2012]
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50 Biblical Proofs That Jesus is God [National Catholic Register, 2-12-17]
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Can the Prayers of Jesus Go Unanswered? [National Catholic Register, 6-10-19]
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The Bible is Clear — Jesus is True God and True Man [National Catholic Register, 9-12-20]
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9 Ways Jesus Tells Us He is God in the Synoptic Gospels [National Catholic Register, 10-28-20]
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EVENTS IN JESUS’ LIFE / JESUS’ TEACHING
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The Resurrection: Hoax or History? [cartoon tract with art by Dan Grajek: 1985]
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The Passion of the Christ: Review and Reflections [2-29-04; abridged and edited on 4-10-17]
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Silent Night: A “Progressive” and “Enlightened” Reinterpretation [12-10-04; additionally edited for publication at National Catholic Register: 12-21-17]
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Was Christ Actually Born Dec. 25? [National Catholic Register, 12-18-18]
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The Bethlehem Nativity, Babe Ruth, and History [National Catholic Register, 1-1-19]
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Are the Two Genealogies of Christ Contradictory? [National Catholic Register, 1-5-19]
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What Does “Turn the Other Cheek” Mean? [National Catholic Register, 7-20-19]
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Did Jesus Teach His Disciples to Hate Their Families? [National Catholic Register, 8-17-19]
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Why Jesus Opposed the Moneychangers in the Temple [National Catholic Register, 9-26-19]
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Jesus’ Agony in Gethsemane: Was it “Anxiety”? [National Catholic Register, 10-29-19]
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On Whether Jesus’ “Brothers” Were “Unbelievers” [National Catholic Register, 6-11-20]
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Star of Bethlehem, Astronomy, Wise Men, & Josephus (Amazing Astronomically Verified Data in Relation to the Journey of the Wise Men  & Jesus’ Birth & Infancy) [12-14-20]
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Conjunctions, the Star of Bethlehem and Astronomy [National Catholic Register, 12-21-20]
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A Fresh Look at Joseph, Mary and Bethlehem [National Catholic Register, 3-25-22]
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What We Know About Nazareth at the Time of Jesus [National Catholic Register, 11-24-23]
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DIALOGUES WITH JEWISH APOLOGIST MICHAEL J. ALTER ON JESUS’ RESURRECTION AND ALLEGED NT “CONTRADICTIONS”
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JESUS AND MARY
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YOUNG MESSIAH FILM (2016) / KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS
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TRINITARIANISM / THE HOLY TRINITY / THE HOLY SPIRIT
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Filioque: Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue (William Klimon) [July 1997]
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50 Biblical Evidences for the Holy Trinity [National Catholic Register, 11-14-16]
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THEOLOGY PROPER (THEOLOGY OF GOD) / GOD’S ATTRIBUTES AND NATURE 
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Dialogue w Mormon Apologist: God & Doctrinal Development (vs. Dr. Barry Bickmore) (+ Part Two) [12-22-01]
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Is God in Time? (vs. John W. Loftus) [11-30-06]
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Is God the Author of Evil? (vs. John Calvin) [Oct. 2012]
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Thoughts on the Level of Our “Comprehension” of God (St. John Chrysostom) (dialogue with Deacon Steven D. Greydanus) [Facebook, 9-14-17]
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Seidensticker Folly #20: An Evolving God in the OT? (God’s Omnipotence, Omniscience, & Omnipresence in Early Bible Books & Ancient Jewish Understanding) [9-18-18]
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Does God Ever Actively Prevent Repentance? [National Catholic Register, 9-1-19]
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Who Caused Job to Suffer — God or Satan? [National Catholic Register, 6-28-20]
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The Bible Teaches That Other “Gods” are Imaginary [National Catholic Register, 7-10-20]
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Does God Have Any Need of Praise? [National Catholic Register, 9-24-20]
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God in Heaven & in His Temple: Contradiction? (vs. Dr. Steven DiMattei) [11-23-20]
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God in Heaven and in His Temple: Biblical Difficulty? [National Catholic Register, 12-10-20]
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Dark Energy, Dark Matter and the Light of the World [National Catholic Register, 2-17-21]
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Bible on God’s Revealed Nature & Character (Ch. 6 of the book, Inspired!: 191 Supposed Biblical Contradictions Resolved: which examines examples of alleged biblical contradictions & disproves all of these patently false claims) [12-5-23]
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GOD AS JUDGE
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Grace, Faith, Works, & Judgment: A Scriptural Exposition [12-16-09; reformulated and abridged on 3-15-17]
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Does God Punish to the Fourth Generation? [National Catholic Register, 10-1-18]
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THEISTIC ARGUMENTS
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My Opinion on “Proofs for God’s Existence” Summarized in Two Sentences [Facebook, 6-18-18]

Seidensticker Folly #13: God Hasta Prove He Exists! [8-29-18]

Dialogue: Has God Demonstrated His Existence (Romans 1)? [9-1-18]

Seidensticker Folly #14: Something Rather Than Nothing [9-3-18]

Seidensticker Folly #38: Eternal Universe vs. an Eternal God [4-16-20]

Seidensticker Folly #41: Argument from Design [8-25-20]

Seidensticker Folly #42: Creation “Ex Nihilo” [8-28-20]

Creation Ex Nihilo is in the Bible [National Catholic Register, 10-1-20]

“Quantum Entanglement” & the “Upholding” Power of God [10-20-20]

Quantum Mechanics and the “Upholding” Power of God [National Catholic Register, 11-24-20]

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Last updated on 20 August 2024

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