Some baptized Catholics who support abortion use a distorted understanding of Church teaching on the “primacy” of conscience to support their views. They also frequently misrepresent theological principles regarding Catholic sexual ethics. One of the most common abuses involves probabilism, which simply means that, if a definitive judgment has not yet been rendered by the . . . Read more
A fundamental misunderstanding of the role of the human conscience lies at the root of many of the problems in the Catholic Church today. Very few Catholics even know what the conscience actually is. When pressed, many will say “If my conscience tells me it’s all right, I can do it.” This is just one . . . Read more
Almost everyone knows that the Catholic Church opposes abortion. However, few are aware of the long and rich history of the Church’s reverence and respect for human life, and fewer still can explain exactly why the Church cannot change her teachings on abortion. It is essential for Catholic pro-lifers to be familiar with the history . . . Read more
When the battle over abortion began in earnest nearly half a century ago, pro-abortion strategists correctly identified their number one enemy as the Roman Catholic Church. They were fully aware that, if a large number of priests began to speak forcefully and knowledgably against abortion, the Church would quickly become a mighty force for the . . . Read more
The Predictions of Humanae Vitae We begin our exposition of Humanae Vitae (HV) with section no. 17. In this part of the document, Pope Paul VI lays out four predictions as to what would happen in society if teaching against contraception went unheeded. Let us remember that this teaching is not simply a particular doctrine . . . Read more
Technical and scientific discoveries and innovations are happening at a tremendous rate. Social attitudes and morality have also undergone huge shifts in just the past two generations. Try this mental exercise. Imagine virtually any community in the 1950s and then fast-forward to the present. Almost nothing will have remained untouched. The geography and enduring elements . . . Read more
The Many Dangers of “Gender” Ideology “Gender” ideology is sweeping across Western societies with relentless, hostile force. It is invading educational and health institutions beginning in the early life of students. And its ideologues are using the law to deny parental rights. Therefore, it is important to clarify and challenge the most basic assumptions of . . . Read more
“Contraception cannot be an expression of total self‑giving, because in contraception, something is done to oneself to destroy the power to conceive a child. That same selfishness that wants to prevent the child by contraception will grow until it wants to kill the child already conceived. We must fight selfishness with a true, generous and . . . Read more
Surveys in many countries consistently show that most Catholics believe that decisions of conscience about contraception rightfully belong with those who must bear and rear children. The legitimacy of teaching requires that it be embraced by the faithful. Your teaching has no such legitimacy. It is a marginalized minority view in our church, defended largely . . . Read more
There can be no peace between Truth and error. Like most of HLI’s pro-life missionaries, I have experienced backlash even at our own events from those who disagree with Church teaching on contraception, abortion, marriage, homosexuality, conscience and euthanasia. Typically, they are simply ignorant of the issues due to poor catechesis and formation. We often . . . Read more
