What bad Christian behaviors invalidate Catholic moral teaching? Bad Christians exist. Bad Christians existed at the beginning of Christianity, and they exist still. Such Christians make Jesus and the Church look bad. They do not live up to the standard set by Jesus and the Apostles. Liars, thieves, killers, adulterers, fornicators, and hypocrites occupy our pews , and even at times the Chair of St. Peter. Given these facts, how does the Catholic Church still hold itself as a moral... Read more
Sin, The Principle of Double Effect, and Pastoral Care. Recently, I wrote an article in response to another Patheos blogger regarding the Church’s view on Catholics in the LGBTQIA+ community. In this article, I concluded with the following exhortation: No one desires the death of another, especially a family member. But Catholics need not lie to LBGTQIA family members and thus put their souls at eternal risk. Love does not do that. Imagine a loved one who believes their salvation... Read more
The Synodal Path to schism in Germany In past articles, I addressed different aspects of the call for women’s ordination in the Catholic Church. I addressed The Jesus Prerogative, why the Catholic Church does not ordain women, and the biblical case for women’s ordination. I now turn to what many consider the last hope for real theological change on the matter—The Synodal Path. Particularly, I respond to the document produced by the German Synodal Forum titled, Women in Ministries and... Read more
Choose the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Recently, another Patheos blogger wrote an article titled, I Choose Life. In the article, the author describes her experience with “traditionalist” Catholics. Also called a “cafeteria Catholic” for her views on the application of Church teaching on sexuality when applied to LGBTQIA Catholics and neurodiverse individuals. The author claims her approach best reflects the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching on the Sanctity of life and the Dignity of the Human Person, Pope... Read more
Key biblical passages that support women’s ordination to the priesthood. In past articles, I wrote about The Jesus Prerogative on women’s ordination and on whether or not the Catholic Church can change its view on women’s ordination. In this article, I will examine the biblical passages that support women’s ordination. What do these passages teach us? Given these passages, can the Catholic Church amend its views on women’s ordination? Passages In Direct Support of Women’s Ordination Sadly, no passage in... Read more
What the Heck is Hell? Recently, a reader asked me questions regarding the Christian doctrine of Hell. For this article, I elaborate further and provide my understanding of this ancient doctrine. I address the following questions about Hell. Why is there a Hell? What is Hell? What do those in Hell experience? Please feel free to ask any follow-up questions about this topic in the comment section below. Hell is God’s great compliment to the reality of human freedom and... Read more
How would you counsel Chloe Cole about her gender confusion? Recently, I read an article by Chloe Cole on the Substack page Reality’s Last Stand titled, In My Own Words: Responding to the Forbes Hit-Piece. In this article, Ms. Cole recounts her experience as a gender confused youth. I recommend all my readers take a moment to read her testimony. In a word, her testimony is tragic! In this article, I let Chloe Cole speak her truth and I ask... Read more
A Catholic tackles: the questions women’s ordination. In conjunction with Matthew Graham at Rational Animal, The Latin Right and Rational Animal decided to tackle the same topic but through our own faith traditions. For this article, we tackle the topic of women’s ordination. I address the topic through the Roman Catholic perspective, while Matthew the Anglican. The questions Matthew and agreed to answer are: Does your faith tradition ordain women? If so, for what reason? If not, why not? What... Read more
Lie unto others as you would have them lie unto you. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16) Does truth exist? If so, can we know it when we see it? What about lies? What constitutes a lie? Some may say that a lie contradicts truth. God, in Exodus 20:16, viewed truth to such a degree that He commanded His people not to lie to each other. In this context, to bear false witness (lie) is... Read more
How can the Church change its views on same-sex marriage? An old idiom states, “a zebra can’t change its stripes.” According to idioms.thefreedictionary.com, this means “one will stay true to one’s nature, even if one pretends or claims otherwise.” This idiom came to mind after reading an article on the National Catholic Report titled, New Ways’ Sr. Jeannine Gramick sees a future for same-sex marriage in Catholic Church. In the article, Sr. Jeannine Gramick states that she believes the Catholic... Read more
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