MIND OF THE CHURCH

God cannot deny Himself,

nor can truth ever be in opposition to truth...

Either the dogmas of faith

are not understood and explained

in accordance with the mind of the church

or unsound views are mistaken for

the conclusions of reason.

- First Vatican Council

Hi! I'm Joanne Baker, a mother of 9 whose passion is

studying the Summa

Theologiae of St.

Thomas Aquinas...

more.

When Magisterium Errs: 'Obsequium Religiosum'

'Nulla Salus' Pt. 1: No Salvation Outside the Church

Mary Co-redemptrix - Is the Title Traditional?

What (you didn't know) Vatican II Said About the Sacred Liturgy

Vatican II: The Tumult and the Hermeneutics

Responding to Tyrannical Rule - St. Aquinas

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Joanne Baker

Sep 204 min read

Morality

But is it 'Disobedience'?

Non-compliance or Disobedience? A conversation with my students might go something like follows, Socratic style...

12 views

Joanne Baker

Apr 2612 min read

Aquinas

Cut off from Christ Pt. 2: Schism

How does one judge whether we are fighting evil or legitimate authority? It is the difference between virtuous fortitude and schism.

38 views

Joanne Baker

Mar 610 min read

Morality

Cut Off from Christ Pt. 1: Heresy

Can a pope become a heretic and therefore be outside of the Church? Formal manifest heresy, excommunication, and pride.

16 views

Idolatry in the Vatican? An Exercise in Judgment

Joanne Baker

Jan 247 min read

The Pope

Idolatry in the Vatican? An Exercise in Judgment

It is a sin to judge people rashly or without authority, so what do we do when faced with a situation like the pachamama in the Vatican?

27 views

Joanne Baker

Jan 107 min read

Magisterium

Mary Co-redemptrix - Is the Title Traditional?

“Jesus extended Mary’s maternity to the entire Church…as a mother, not a goddess," the Pope said, “not as a co-redeemer." Is this doctrine?

13 views

(Part 2) Holy Communion for the Divorced and Remarried?

Joanne Baker

Dec 7, 20197 min read

Magisterium

(Part 2) Holy Communion for the Divorced and Remarried?

Divine law requires that they live as brother and sister. How do we understand the Bishops letter saying that when this is not feasible, one

44 views

Joanne Baker

Nov 19, 20193 min read

Magisterium

Papal Infallibility

"What exactly does papal infallibility mean and are there any limits to this?" Joanne M.M. Baker looks at Fr. Brian Mullady's answer.

29 views

Study Group (Segment 4/4): On Criticizing the Pope

Joanne Baker

Jul 9, 20191 min read

Aquinas

Study Group (Segment 4/4): On Criticizing the Pope

Segment 4/4 on Scandal and Piety. This is the LAST segment of our discussion of the text: Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?

37 views

Study Group (Segment 3/4): On Criticizing the Pope

Joanne Baker

Jul 1, 20191 min read

The Pope

Study Group (Segment 3/4): On Criticizing the Pope

This is Segment 3/4 of our discussion of the paper: "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?" by Joanne M.M. Baker, published by HPR.

27 views

Study Group (Segment 2/4): On Criticizing the Pope

Joanne Baker

Jun 14, 20191 min read

Aquinas

Study Group (Segment 2/4): On Criticizing the Pope

This is Segment 2/4 of our discussion of the paper: "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?" by Joanne M.M. Baker, published by HPR.

43 views

Study Group Video: On Criticizing the Pope (Segment 1/4)

Joanne Baker

Jun 4, 20191 min read

Aquinas

Study Group Video: On Criticizing the Pope (Segment 1/4)

This is Segment 1/4 of our discussion of the paper: "Is it Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?" by Joanne M.M. Baker, published by HPR.

50 views

Joanne Baker

May 6, 20191 min read

My Published Articles

Is It Virtuous to Criticize the Pope?

When is it virtuous to criticize someone, especially one to whom we owe reverence? We look at the Thomistic moral principles.

103 views