Category: The Pope, The Family and Divorce

Amoris Laetitia: On the Necessity of Resolving Seeming or Actual Papal Contradictions

September 20, 2026

September 20, 2026 (Steven O’Reilly) – This October 2026, Pope Leo XIV is convening a conference of bishops to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Amore Laetitia (see HERE). The meeting is not technically a “synodal” meeting, though its business will be conducted, apparently, in the synodal style. The participants will be the presidents of Bishops’ … More Amoris Laetitia: On the Necessity of Resolving Seeming or Actual Papal Contradictions

What to Do in the Case of a Potentially Heretical Pope

October 18, 2023

October 18, 2023 (Steven O’Reilly) – With regard to the title of this article, it should not be interpreted as alleging our current Pope is in fact a heretic.  That would require a judgment of the Church, and most particularly for a future pope to make.  In either case, it is well above my pay … More What to Do in the Case of a Potentially Heretical Pope

What can we offer the world? ‘Not much’ according to Mr. Lewis

June 9, 2021

June 8, 2021 (Steven O’Reilly) – Mike Lewis over at Where Peter Is has offered his ruminations on the state and future of evangelization. The lengthy essay (4,600 words plus) ponders “What can we offer the world?”  The question Mr. Lewis wants to set before the reader is how to best evangelize in the world … More What can we offer the world? ‘Not much’ according to Mr. Lewis

On a Correct Understanding of Amoris Laetitia: Which is it? (Part I)

February 4, 2021

February 3, 2021 (Steven O’Reilly) – Perhaps it should go without saying that when defending the Catholic Faith, Catholics should first and foremost be defenders of orthodoxy. Though it seems to some, being defenders of orthodoxy does not always entail being first and foremost a defender of the pope, any particular bishop, or any one … More On a Correct Understanding of Amoris Laetitia: Which is it? (Part I)

On a Correct Understanding of Amoris Laetitia: Which is it? (Part II)

February 4, 2021

February 3, 2021 (Steven O’Reilly) – This is the second and final part of a series “On the Correct Understanding of Amoris Laetitia: Which is it?”  In part one, we looked at the Church’s “constant and universal” tradition and practice on the question of whether Holy Communion can be given to the divorce and remarried … More On a Correct Understanding of Amoris Laetitia: Which is it? (Part II)

Addendum: Normas Nonnullas explodes Dr. Mazza’s BiP theory

June 11, 2020

June 10, 2020 (Steven O’Reilly) – Dr. Mazza again appeared on Dr. Marshall’s youtube program to discuss his Benedict is Pope thesis.  It is unfortunate that Dr. Mazza did not address any of the main points made in my three-part rebuttal of his thesis (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3). However, having watching Dr. … More Addendum: Normas Nonnullas explodes Dr. Mazza’s BiP theory

Alt right vs. Alt wrong…which Alt is Alt?

August 25, 2019

August 25, 2019 (Steven O’Reilly) – Scott Eric Alt recently published an article on his Patheos blog re what he calls the Francis Derangment Syndrome, apparently this article is part 24 or something of a series. Mr. Alt was set off in this most recent installment by Patrick Coffin’s interview with Cardinal Burke which touched upon … More Alt right vs. Alt wrong…which Alt is Alt?

On the Doctrine of Mitigating Circumstances

August 13, 2019

August 13, 2019 (Steven O’Reilly) – [Updated 8/21/2019] Over at Where Peter Is they recently published an article by Pedro Gabriel on the doctrine of mitigating circumstances.  This article attempts to find ways by which it can be said that acts of adultery might under certain circumstances be considered venial. And, here, of course, Where … More On the Doctrine of Mitigating Circumstances