POSTED ON 10 Nov 2020
Euthanasia legislation in Ireland
Ireland Some time ago we were approached by the organization ‘Family Solidarity Ireland’ with the request to share our experiences with and vision on (legislation on) the end of life in the Netherlands and Belgium. This in connection with the bill ‘Dying with Dignity’ that is now being discussed in Ireland. Now, legislation is not our specialty, but a more philosophical reflection on the social phenomenon underlying such legislation, related to the Catholic faith and based on our experiences in the Low Countries, was also welcomed. The ‘talk’ was titled ‘Living with Dignity’ This video of almost 30 minutes was ‘pre-recorded’, followed by a ‘Q& A’ with about twenty participants from Ireland, but also Belgium, the Netherlands and even Malta. The text of the nomination can be found here (pdf): Living-with-Dignity-IrelandDownload Vincent Kemme Share this:Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in...
POSTED ON 2 Mar 2020
Discover iAquinas.com
https://iaquinas.com/english/ Share this:Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new...
POSTED ON 15 May 2019
5th International Symposium on Theology of the Body...
Defending and Promoting Human Dignity in a Secular Age 2019 marks 40 years since John Paul II presented his first “Wednesday catechesis” on the Theology of the Body. This fifth International Symposium will be held on the week-end of the Feasts of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and of Saints Peter and Paul. It will discuss and promote John Paul II’s Theology of the Body within a general theme—Defending and Promoting Human Dignity in a Secular Age—centering around the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of Humanae Vitae. All the talks will be given in English. The goal is to make a contribution to healing the current cultural situation of the Church and humanity with respect to sexuality, marriage, the family, education and human happiness by exploring ever deeper the goodness, truth and beauty of the Divine plan for human life and love. We wish this event to be an opportunity for a deepening of...
POSTED ON 11 May 2019
Towards a Second Sexual Revolution – Good News for Pornography Addicted Persons...
Vincent Kemme in Barcelona, May 8th, 2019 In May 2019, we were invited to give a talk during a conference in Barcelona, about Alcohol, Drugs and Pornography addiction. We took it upon us to share our thoughts on pornography, in the broader context of the sexual revolution if the sixties and the seventies, the digital revolution in the seventies and later on, and the ‘second sexual revolution’, as a result of the ‘theology of the body’. You can watch the video here. Please find the official text here: It is an honor for me to to be invited to speak to you during this day devoted tot the theme of Alcohol, Pornography and Adolescence of the Fundació Casa de Misericòrdia de Barcelona. I am a biologist from the Netherland, founder and president of Biofides, an international association for biology and faith, living and workin in Belgium, amongst others with...
POSTED ON 30 Jan 2019
Bishop Robert Barron: Is Stephen Hawking Right About God?...
In Stephen Hawking’s final book, “Brief Answers to the Big Questions,” published just a few months after his death, the famed scientist suggests that God does not exist and the universe does not require an explanation. Is he right? Brandon Vogt and Bishop Robert Barron discuss in this episode of the Word on Fire Show. November 2018 Share this:Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new...
POSTED ON 4 Jan 2019
Question on the liceity of a hysterectomy in certain cases...
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Response to a question on the liceity of a hysterectomy in certain cases On July 31, 1993, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith published Responses to Questions Proposed Concerning “Uterine Isolation” and Related Matters. These responses, which retain all of their validity, consider the removal of the uterus to be morally licit when there is a grave and present danger to the life or health of the mother, and hold as illicit, insofar as they are methods of direct sterilization, the removal of the uterus and tubal ligation (uterine isolation) with the intention of making impossible an eventual pregnancy which can pose some risk for the mother. In recent years some very specific cases have been submitted to the Holy See also concerning the hysterectomy, which, however, present a different issue from that which was examined in 1993, because they regard situations...
POSTED ON 27 Nov 2018
A Positive Response to a ‘Tsunami of Secularism’...
Keynote Address of Vincent Kemme during the 25th FIAMC Congress Zagreb, 2018 June 1st, 2018 Vincent Kemme Dear ladies and gentlemen, It is an honor for me to be able to address you during this 25th Congress of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, here in Zagreb, the beautiful capital of Croatia. Allow me to introduce myself to you, before engaging in my reflections on a positive response to the ‘tsunami of secularism’. I am a biologist with training in theology, philosophy and bio-ethics. I come from the Netherlands, and have been living and working in Belgium – two of the most secularized countries in Europe. My background is education. Nine and a half years ago, I started ‘Biofides’, an association for biology and faith. Shortly after that, I was asked to join the board of directors of the Belgian Catholic Medical Association, in order to help physicians...
POSTED ON 19 Nov 2018
Pope Benedict and evolution
“It is not the elemental spirits of the universe, the laws of matter, which ultimately govern the world and mankind, but a personal God governs the stars, that is, the universe; it is not the laws of matter and of evolution that have the final say, but reason, will, love — a Person. And if we know this Person and he knows us, then truly the inexorable power of material elements no longer has the last word; we are not slaves of the universe and of its laws, we are free.” — Pope Benedict XVI in Spe Salvi (“Saved by Hope”). Share this:Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in...
POSTED ON 15 Nov 2018
Pope Francis: science provides the ‘charity of knowledge’...
On Monday, 12 November 2018, Pope Francis addressed himself to the participants of the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, asking the scientific community a positive service that we can call with Saint Paul VI the “charity of knowledge”. The pope sees himself as “the advocate of the peoples that receive only rarely and from afar the benefits of vast human knowledge and its achievements, especially in the areas of nutrition, health, education, connectivity, well-being and peace.”. Here the full text of his address. The scientific world, which in the past tended to assert its independence and self-sufficiency, and to show a certain distrust vis-à-vis spiritual and religious values, seems today instead to be increasingly aware of the ever more complex reality of the world and of the human being. We see signs of a certain lack of security and some fear before the possible evolution of a...
POSTED ON 31 Mar 2018
Robert Barron vs. William L. Craig – Divine Simplicity...
A symposium/debate on divine simplicity – by Bishop Barron and Dr. Craig. https://www.wordonfire.org/ Share this:Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new...
POSTED ON 15 Nov 2017
Jesuit Father James Martin and the LGBT community
Today, on the feast Albert the Great, father of the natural sciences, I have written a letter to Father James Martin SJ, author of amongst others “Laughing with the Saints” and – recently, “Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity”. From Belgium, Europe, where I learned about his work via the internet, about his great sense of humor, I wanted to share with him some of my thoughts on what I read about his book concerning sexuality or ‘LGBT’. As a 60 years old former biology teacher from the Netherlands, husband, father of six and since sex months grandfather, I have specialized in the relationship between biology and faith as well as bioethics, sexual morality included and studied at the Institute for Theological Studies in Brussels of the French speaking Jesuits in Belgium. This has...
POSTED ON 9 Oct 2017
Euthanasia in the Low Countries of Europe
Biofides is an apostolate that tries to shed light on the relationship between science (life sciences in particular) and faith (the catholic-christian faith in particular). Besides that, Biofides provides clarity on bio-ethics: how do we handle life, human life in all aspects of its existence, in every stage of life and in relationship to his natural environment: the earth with all its biological and other riches. We work closely together with physicians, in the Dutch speaking world (The Netherlands, Flanders in Belgium) on a European level and even on a global level. Recently, we were asked to deliver a speech in Rome, at a very short distance of the Vatican, about euthanasia and medically assisted suicide in the Low Countries (of Europe). It was at the occasion of a international medical congress of MaterCare, an ONG of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, (Fédération Internationale des Association Médicales Catholiques, FIAMC). The question...
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Prev NextAnswering Atheism
Are we able to answer the arguments of an atheist? In this interview, Scott Hahn and Benjamin Wiker discuss why and how they dismantle the underpinnings of Richard Dawkins’ atheistic agenda in Emmaus Road Publishing’s 2008 release, Answering the New Atheism: Dismantling Dawkins’ Case Against God. (Three video’s)
Eight facts about physical and psychological consequences of abortion for women
Contrary to popular opinion abortion hurts women. The UnChoice.com is an evidence-based Elliot Institute campaign to raise awareness about unwanted abortions, post-abortion issues and maternal deaths and to provide help, hope and healing. The US-based Elliot Institute publishes research and educational materials and works as an advocate for women and men seeking post-abortion healing.
The following figures, referenced below from an Elliott Institute publication, are eight evidence-based facts about the consequences of abortion for women’ health.
Nasa scientist on the ressurrection of Jesus
Dr. Rocco Martino is a former Nasa rocket scientist. In his book, “The Resurrection: A Criminal Investigation of the Mysterious Disappearance of the Crucified Criminal Jesus of Nazareth”, he investigates the most rational explanation for the empty tomb of Jesus: his resurrection.
Is Genesis to be understood figuratively?
Did the people written of in the book of Genesis really live to be 900 years old? Tim Staples explains what the Catholic Church teaches about this. Tim Staples is Director of Apologetics and Evangelization at Catholic Answers. He converted to Catholicism in 1988, after having been raised a Southern Baptist and a youth minister in an Assembly of God community. Tim was in the Marine Corps for four years. He then followed six years in formation for the priesthood, earning a degree in philosophy. He then studied theology on a graduate level for two years. Realizing that his calling was not to the priesthood, Tim left the seminary in 1994 and has been working in Catholic apologetics and evangelization ever since.
The Materialist and the Mind
William Lane Craig PhD speaks in this ‘Religion-Philosophy Youtube Video’ on the materialist problem with the mind in light of Eben Alexander’s Proof of Heaven and atheist Thomas Nagel’s book Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False. By the way, Nagel is an atheist!
The relationship between faith and science as a brotherly rivalry
The Vatican astronomer and brother in the Jesuit order Guy Consolmagno is regularly interrogated on the relationship between science and religion. Is it possible to belief in both at the same time? It is known that the Catholic religion sees no contradiction between faith and science. Consolmagno see the relationship more like a ‘brotherly rivalry’. Watch a Rome Report video and/or read an interview with Zenit.org.
Symposium ‘Theology of the Body’ in Fatima, Portugal
From June 13 – 16 2013 the the IV Theology of the Body International Symposium will be held in Fatima, Portugal. The first three Symposia were in Austria (2007), Ireland (2009) and London (2011). Biofides was there in London, a marvelous experience of deep insight in John Paul II’s in sight in the truth about the human body, male and female, it’s ‘language’ and meaning, the plan of God from the beginning, in history until the very end in eternity, in short: Gods plan with human sexuality and fertility.
The Flying Spaghetti Monster and God
An acclaimed author, speaker and theologian, Robert Barron is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the founder of the global ministry Word on Fire. He is the creator and host of the 10-part TV series Catholicism, and serves as the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein. He the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Lecture on ‘Evangelizing the Culture’ at Elmhurst College (Chicago – Illinois, USA), Wednesday, February 8. In this excerpt, Fr. Barron explains why christians – just as atheïsts – do not believe in flying spaghetti monsters, and what Christians mean by ‘God’. Click on ‘more’ to watch this video (9 minutes)
Science and religion versus scientism
An acclaimed author, speaker and theologian, Robert Barron is a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the founder of the global ministry Word on Fire. He is the creator and host of the 10-part TV series Catholicism, and serves as the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein. He the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Lecture on ‘Evangelizing the Culture’ at Elmhurst College (Chicago – Illinois, USA), Wednesday, February 8. In this 12 minutes excerpt, Fr. Barron debunks the myth that Religion and Science are mortal enemies. Scientism, the belief that one can explain everything by means of the scientific method, appears to be itself logical incoherent. How would you scientifically test that presumption? Click on ‘more’ to watch this video (12 minutes)
For full talk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlps1S…,
The Erosion of Ethics in Organ Transplantation
Zenit, ‘the world seen from Rome’, reports from Washington, D.C.: “Caleb Beaver died at age 16 on Christmas Day in 2011 due to a previously undiagnosed congenital malformation of his blood vessels. His devastated parents agreed to the donation of his heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, and pancreas. Several months later, his mother and father were able to meet with the grateful recipient of Caleb’s heart and hear their son’s beating heart in this new body. While the meeting could not erase their grief, the meeting offered Caleb’s parents a small bit of consolation that his death had brought life to someone else. Organ donation can certainly be a supreme act of generosity. Pope John Paul II endorsed organ transplantation in both his encyclical Evangelium Vitae as well as his 2000 address to the 18th International Congress of the Transplantation Society as a way to build up an “authentic culture of life”. However, Pope John Paul II was also careful to insist that this lifesaving technology must be governed by critical ethical principles in order to fulfill its life affirming potential.”


