Online text: “The Political Implications of Thomas Aquinas’s Theory of Conscience”, by Dr. Angela Concetta Miceli

See this online text:

• Thinking Together about the Common Good: The Political Implications of Thomas Aquinas’s Theory of Conscience, by Dr. Angela Concetta Miceli. LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 252 (2013). Available in pdf format on this page of LSU Digital Commons.

See also these related texts:

Online text: “Moral Theology and the Problem of Modernity”, by Dr. David L. Schindler

See this online text:

• “Conscience and the Relation between Truth and Pastoral Practice: Moral Theology and the Problem of Modernity”, by Professor David L. Schindler, Ph.D., Communio, Volume 46.2 (Summer 2019): pp. 333-385. Available in pdf format through this page of Communio.

On the Feast of St. Maria Goretti and the Octave of Sts. Peter and Paul in the Roman Rite. For other texts and ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title), the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject), the List of Worth-It Catholic Books & eBooks, and the main page of the Catholic eBooks Project.

“It… seems urgently necessary to recover the authentic concept of authority, not only from the formal juridical standpoint, but more profoundly, as a means of guaranteeing, safeguarding and guiding the Christian community in fidelity to and continuity with Tradition, to make it possible for believers to be in contact with the preaching of the Apostles and with the source of the Christian reality itself.” (Saint John Paul the Great, Address to Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
November 24, 1995)

Online text: “New Challenges to Humanae Vitae: Conscience and Discernment”, by Dr. Janet E. Smith

See this online text:

• “New Challenges to Humanae Vitae: Conscience and Discernment”, by Dr. Janet E. Smith, UFL Life and Learning Conference XXVIII (2018): pp. 229-253. Available in pdf format through this page of University Faculty for Life.

See also the texts listed on the page “Marriage and the Family“ and on the 25 July 2019 post “Online text: “Every Marital Act Ought to be Open to New Life: Toward a Clearer Understanding”, by Germain Grisez et al.”

On the Feast of the Annunciation in the one true and Catholic Church. For other texts and ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title), the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject), the List of Worth-It Catholic Books & eBooks, and the main page of the Catholic eBooks Project.

“In marriage, as the marriage law declares, the man and woman come together for the procreation of children. Therefore whoever makes the procreation of children a greater sin than copulation, forbids marriage, and makes the woman not a wife, but a mistress, who for some gifts presented to her is joined to the man to gratify his passion. Where there is a wife there must be marriage. But there is no marriage where motherhood is not in view; therefore neither is there a wife.”

(Saint Augustine, On the Morals of the Manichaeans, xviii, 65)

“For God, the Lord of life, has conferred on men the surpassing ministry of safeguarding life in a manner which is worthy of man…. The sexual characteristics of man and the human faculty of reproduction wonderfully exceed the dispositions of lower forms of life. Hence the acts themselves which are proper to conjugal love and which are exercised in accord with genuine human dignity must be honored with great reverence.

“Hence when there is question of harmonizing conjugal love with the responsible transmission of life, the moral aspects of any procedure does not depend solely on sincere intentions or on an evaluation of motives, but must be determined by objective standards. These, based on the nature of the human person and his acts, preserve the full sense of mutual self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love. Such a goal cannot be achieved unless the virtue of conjugal chastity is sincerely practiced. Relying on these principles, sons of the Church may not undertake methods of birth control which are found blameworthy by the teaching authority of the Church in its unfolding of the divine law.

“All should be persuaded that human life and the task of transmitting it are not realities bound up with this world alone. Hence they cannot be measured or perceived only in terms of it, but always have a bearing on the eternal destiny of men.”

(Second Vatican Council, Pastoral Constitution “Gaudium et Spes”, 51)

“[I]t is never lawful, even for the gravest reasons, to do evil that good may come of it (cf. Rom 3:8) — in other words, to intend directly something which of its very nature contradicts the moral order, and which must therefore be judged unworthy of man, even though the intention is to protect or promote the welfare of an individual, of a family or of society in general”

(Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae, No. 14, as quoted by Pope St. John Paul II, Veritatis Splendor, No. 80)

Online ebook: “Moral Virtues and Bioethics”, by Prof. Angel Rodríguez Luño

See this online ebook:

• Chosen in Christ to Be Saints. III: Moral Virtues and Bioethics, by Prof. Mons. Angel Rodríguez Luño, translated by Gerald Malsbary from Scelti in Cristo per essere santi. III: Morale speciale, 2a ed. (Roma: EDUSC [Edizioni Università Santa Croce], 2012). 407 pages in pdf. Available in pdf format on this page of Etica e Politica.

On the secular observance of World Bioethics Day, and on the eve of the Feast of Saint John Cantius (Jan Kanty) in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. For other texts and ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title), the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject), the List of Worth-It Catholic Books & eBooks, and the main page of the Catholic eBooks Project.

e-libro en linea: “Formando La Conciencia Para Ser Ciudadanos Fieles”

Ver este e-libro en linea:

• Formando La Conciencia Para Ser Ciudadanos Fieles: Llamado de los obispos católicos de Estados Unidos a la responsabilidad política, con Nota introductoria (Washington, DC: Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos, 2015). Disponible en formato PDF en el cibersitio de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos.

Para la fiesta de San Eduardo el Confesor y San Geraldo de Orlhac. Para más libros, por favor ingrese a la lista de los libros electrónicos gratis (Ordenados por título) y la lista de los libros gratis (Agrupados por tema).

[And if the grammar is wrong, please correct me. Gracias!]

Online audiobook & ebook: The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, translated by Father Elder Mullan, S.J.

See this legally free ebook & online audiobook:

• The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, translated from the autograph by Father Elder Mullan, S.J. [1865-1925] (New York: P.J. Kenedy and Sons, 1914). With Imprimatur.
  • The ebook may be read online, and available in pdf, epub, mobi and other formats at Internet Archive, with a 2nd copy at Internet Archive, and a 3rd copy at Internet Archive.
  • The ebook scanned by Harry Plantinga, 1994 is available on this page of Saints’ Books and at Internet Archive.
  • The audiobook is available at Youtube on this page of Classic Catholic Audiobooks.
• Note 1: According to the Father Mullan, this was translated from the text that bears corrections by the Saint.
• Note 2: As stated by Father Mullan and other commentators, this work is not intended for ordinary laymen without the guidance of a spiritual director. Beginners may do well to use guides by spiritual writers, including:
  • The Science of Spiritual Life According to the Spiritual Exercises, new and enlarged edition, by Father [James] Clare, S.J. [1827-1902] (London, Leamington: Art and Book Co.; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1898). May be read online, and available in pdf, epub, mobi and other formats, at Internet Archive.

Posted for the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in the Roman Rite. For other texts and ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title), the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject), the List of Worth-It Catholic Books & eBooks, and the main page of the Catholic eBooks Project.

Texto en linea: “Conciencia y Verdad”, por Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Ver este texto en linea:

• “Conciencia y Verdad”, por Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Humanitas, 01 Mayo 2005. Discurso presentado en el X Seminario de Obispos, febrero de 1991, en Dallas, Texas. Disponible en esta pagina de Vivir la Fe Catolica; y en  Humanitas, Amigos es decir Testigos, Analisis Digital, y Almudi.org.

The text is also available in English:

• “Conscience and Truth”, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Keynote address presented at the 10^th Workshop for Bishops, February 1991, in Dallas, Texas.
  • The complete text may be read online on this page of the Catholic Education Resource Center (CERC), on this page of the EWTN Library, on this page of the Catholic Information Network (CIN), and, under the heading “If You Want Truth, Respect the Conscience of Every Person: Conscience and Truth”, in the Google Books preview of Faith and Politics: Selected Writings, by Joseph Ratzinger / Benedict XVI, with a Foreword by Pope Francis (San Francisco Ignatius Press, 2018), which is available for sale on this page of Ignatius Press.
  • A substantial selection, “Conscience and Truth”, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Communio 37 (Fall 2010): pp. 529-538, is available in pdf format (on this page) at Communio: International Catholic Review, reprinted with permission from On Conscience, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2007), which is available for sale on this page of Ignatius Press, and on this page of the National Catholic Bioethics Center.

Para la Fiesta de Virgen del Pilar y la víspera de la canonización del cardenal John Henry Newman. Para más libros, por favor ingrese a la lista de los libros electrónicos gratis (Ordenados por título) y la lista de los libros gratis (Agrupados por tema).

Desde el texto:

“[P]odemos ahora comprender correctamente el brindis de Newman antes por la conciencia y sólo después por el Papa. El Papa no puede imponer a los fieles católicos ningún mandamiento solo porque él lo quiere o porque lo considera útil… El significado auténtico de la autoridad doctrinal del Papa consiste en el hecho de que él es el garante de la memoria. El Papa no impone desde fuera sino que desarrolla la memoria cristiana y la defiende.

“Por ello, el brindis por la conciencia ha de preceder al Papa, porque sin conciencia no tiene ningún papado. Todo el poder que él tiene es poder de la conciencia: servicio al doble recuerdo, sobre el que se basa la fe y que tiene que ser continuamente purificada, ampliada y defendida contra las formas de destrucción de la memoria, que está amenazada tanto por una subjetividad que ha olvidado el propio fundamento, como por las dificultades de un conformismo social y cultural.”

[And if the grammar is wrong, pray correct me. Gracias!]

Online ebook: “Maritain and America”, edited by Christopher Cullen & Joseph Allan Clair

See this online ebook:

• Maritain and America, edited by Christopher Cullen, S.J. and Joseph Allan Clair (American Maritain Association, 2009). The contents of the work are available in pdf format and listed on this Table of Contents page, accessible through the webpage listing American Maritain Association Publications at the Jacques Maritain Center.

See also these related texts and ebooks:

• Encyclical “Longinqua” on Catholicism in the United States, by Pope Leo XIII, 06 January 1895. May be read online at the Holy See.
• Encyclical “Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae” concerning New Opinions, Virtue, Nature and Grace, with regard to Americanism, by Pope Leo XIII, January 22, 1899. May be read online at the on this page at the EWTN Libraries. [N.B., A commentary that views Americanism as a variant of false ecumenism or indifferentism is available at: “Evangelization and Americanism” (article) by Bradley Eli, and “Mic’d Up: Americanism” (podcast) at Church Militant.]
• Letter to the Bishops of the United States, by Pope John Paul II, 3 April 1983. May be read online at the Holy See.
• Pastoral letter of the Archbishops and Bishops of the United States Assembled in Conference at the Catholic University of America, September, 1919 (Washington, D.C., The National Catholic Welfare Council, 1920). Available at Open Library and  Internet Archive, with a 2nd copy here. [N.B., This is a restatement of doctrine and an exhortation on all aspects of the Catholic life in the United States.]

• We Hold These Truths: Catholic Reflections on the American Proposition, by John Courtney Murray, S.J. (Kansas City, MO: Sheed and Ward, 1960). May be read online at Woodstock Theological Library at Georgetown University. [N.B., We have assumed that this work was lawfully made available online by Georgetown University and that links to it may be lawfully made. Kindly advise us if this is incorrect.]

On the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Portugal, and in solidarity with the celebration of Independence Day in the United States of America. For other online texts and legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

“The true revolution was not to defy one earthly power, but to declare principles that stand above every earthly power — the equality of each person before God, and the responsibility of government to secure the rights of all.” (President George W. Bush, Remarks at the Rededication of the National Archives)

Online ebook: “The Chief Sources of Sin”, by Michael V. McDonough

See this online ebook:

• The Chief Sources of Sin: Seven Discourses on Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Anger, Gluttony, Envy, Sloth, by Michael V. McDonough [b. 1863] (New York, Baltimore: John Murphy Company, 1910). With Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in pdf, epub, mobi,. And other formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • [N.B., This work appears to be in the public domain under US law. As to other jurisdictions, an online search yielded a date of death of 02 November 1933 for a certain Rev. Michael V, McDonough, chaplain of St. Mary’s Home, New Bedford (vide Anchor, October 29, 2010, p.19). If this is the author, then the work would also have entered the public domain in jurisdictions where the copyright period is reckoned based on the author’s lifetime + 70 years. Advice on this matter would be appreciated.]

See also these related texts:

• Encyclical Letter “Veritatis splendor”, by Pope St. John Paul II (6 August 1993).  Available at the Holy See and at IntraText. [According to Wikipedia: “The encyclical is one of the most comprehensive and philosophical teachings of moral theology in the Catholic tradition”]
• Sin and its Consequences, 2^nd edition, by Henry Edward Manning (London: Burns and Oates, 1874). Available in various formats at Internet Archive, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive and Open Library. A microfilm copy of the 3^rd edition (London: Burns and Oates, 1876) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library. Another edition (New York, Montreal: D. & J. Sadlier & Company) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive and Open Library; and yet another edition (New York: P.J. Kenedy & Sons) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
• Some Fundamental Principles of Catholic Morality, by Peter Kreeft. General Editor Father John A. Farren, O.P. (New Haven, Connecticut: Catholic Information Service/Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, 2001). The ebook may be read online and is available in PDF format, and the audiobook may be heard in MP3 format through this page, at the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, Catholic Information Service.
• “The Splendour of Truth and Intrinsically Immoral Acts: A Philosophical Defense of the Rejection of Proportionalism and Consequentialism in Veritatis Splendor”, by Professor Josef Seifert. Part I, in Studia Philosophiae Christianae, Vol. 51, No. 2 (2015): pp. 27-67, is available in pdf format (on this page) at The Central European Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanities. Part II, in Studia Philosophiae Christianae, Vol. 51, No. 3 (2015): pp. 7-37, is available in pdf format (on this page) at The Central European Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanities.

On Holy Wednesday (or Spy Wednesday), 2019 in the one true and Catholic Church. For other online texts and legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

“If, when I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die: thou declare it not to him, nor speak to him, that he may be converted from his wicked way, and live: the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at thy hand. But if thou give warning to the wicked, and he be not converted from his wickedness, and from his evil way: he indeed shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul.” (Ezechiel iii, 18-19)

“Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, thou hast recovered thy strength; do not sin any more, for fear that worse should befall thee” (St. John v, 13)

^“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death… and there is a sin not unto death.” (II John v, 16-17 KJV)

Online ebooks: “A Collection of Cases in Moral and Pastoral Theology”, in 5 volumes

See these online ebooks:

• The Casuist: A Collection of Cases in Moral and Pastoral Theology. With Imprimatur.
  • Volume I (New York: J.F. Wagner, 1906) is available in pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, and other formats at Internet Archive, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive.
  • Volume II (New York: J.F. Wagner, 1908) is available in pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, and other formats at Internet Archive, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive.
  • Volume III (New York: J.F. Wagner, 1910) is available in pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, and other formats at Internet Archive, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive., and a 3^rd copy at Internet Archive.
  • Volume IV, revised by Rev. Stanislaus Woywod, O.F.M. (New York: J.F. Wagner, 1912) is available in pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, and other formats at Internet Archive.
  • Volume V, prepared and edited by the Rev. J.A. McHugh, O.P. (New York: J.F. Wagner, 1917) is available in pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, and other formats at Internet Archive.

On the Feast of Blessed Angelo Carletti di Chivasso. See also this related ebook: Catholic Moral Teaching and its Antagonists Viewed in the Light of Principle and of Contemporaneous History, by Joseph Mausbach.

“If, when I say to the wicked, Thou shalt surely die: thou declare it not to him, nor speak to him, that he may be converted from his wicked way, and live: the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but I will require his blood at thy hand. But if thou give warning to the wicked, and he be not converted from his wickedness, and from his evil way: he indeed shall die in his iniquity, but thou hast delivered thy soul.

“Moreover, if the just man shall turn away from his justice, and shall commit iniquity: I will lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die, because thou hast not given him warning: he shall die in his sin, and his justices, which he hath done, shall not be remembered: but I will require his blood at thy hand. But if thou warn the just man, that the just may not sin, and he doth not sin: living he shall live, because thou hast warned him, and thou hast delivered thy soul.” (Ezechiel iii, 18-21)