Laughter is a way of expressing emotion, particularly joy.  We all know the goodness of having a good laugh at something that is genuinely funny.  For instance, for this author, episodes of “I Love Lucy” are still a source of … Continued

The four gospels included in our New Testament– Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John– were written prior to AD 100 and recent scholarship on ancient papyrus documents point to an even earlier date of AD 70.  These four gospels are rooted … Continued

The devil and his demons can indeed possess an individual.  The New Testament presents several stories of diabolical possession and our Lord’s exorcism of the demons.  For instance, Jesus exorcized the demons (who identify themselves as “legion”) of Gerasa.  The … Continued

Since the advent of the “Pill,” medical technology has made further developments in the area of artificial birth control.  Technically, the original pills were anovulants made of an extremely high dosage of synthetic hormones.  Taken orally, these anovulants suppressed ovulation and thereby prevented conception.  … Continued

The pro-abortion movement has made great gains using the “pro-choice” label.  First, the “pro-choice” label numbs our moral sensitivity because its masks that anyone really is for abortion and diverts our attention from the act itself.  Secondly, the idea of … Continued

St. Paul in his Letter to the Philippians captured the idea of virtue and the living of a virtuous life: “My brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is … Continued

Before addressing the act of suicide, we must first remember that God is the giver of all life.  Each of us has been made in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:27) with both a body and a soul.  Therefore, life … Continued

In general, the Catholic Church approves organ transplantation, as reiterated by Pope John Paul II in an Address to the International Congress of Transplants on August 29, 2000.  Quoting from his encyclical The Gospel of Life, the Holy Father said, … Continued

Pope Pius XII, who witnessed and condemned the eugenics and euthanasia programs of the Nazis, was the first to explicate clearly this moral problem and provide guidance.  In 1980, the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released its … Continued

This question concerns probably one of, if not the most controversial moral teachings of Catholicism.  This topic is definitely the one that prompts headlines and excites some people to say, “I disagree with the Church” or “The Church is wrong.”  … Continued

Before approaching fetal research per se, we must first be clear about what– or better who– the fetus is.  The Catholic Church has continually asserted that a human being must be respected as a person from the moment of conception, … Continued

Rape is a detestable, evil action.  The Catechism offers a clear moral teaching: “Rape is the forcible violation of the sexual intimacy of another person.  It does injury to justice and charity.  Rape deeply wounds the respect, freedom, and physical … Continued

This is a good question: “Are there any norms for modest dress?”  The answer is, “Yes, in accord with the virtue of modesty.”  In his Letter to the Galatians, St. Paul lists modesty as one of the fruits of the … Continued

Dolly the Ewe certainly did make international headlines.  Dr. Ian Wilmut, the Scottish scientist responsible for this research and technique of cloning, took an ovum from an ewe, sucked out the nucleus with its unique DNA, and then fused the … Continued

Before addressing the morality of sterilization, we must first remember that each person is a precious human being made in God’s image and likeness with both a body and a soul.  Vatican II’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the … Continued

In His Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew, our Lord taught, “You have heard the commandment imposed on your forefathers, ‘Do not take a false oath; rather, make good to the Lord all your … Continued

Gambling, whether it involves games of chance (e.g. card games), wagers or betting, or even lotteries, is not intrinsically evil (Catechism, #2404).  However, a person may only engage in these activities with a strict adherence to virtue.  First, he must … Continued

We must first clarify what is meant by “bad language.”   For some people, bad language includes everything from taking the Lord’s name in vain, to cursing, to blasphemy, or to just plain old profanity. In general, the Second Commandment governs … Continued