Comment on `Singularity theorems and the [general relativity + additional matter fields] formulation of metric theories of gravitation' (Q1900432)

For a fairly large class of metric theories of gravitation it is possible to show that the dynamical equations are formally equivalent to Einstein's general relativity with additional matter fields. If, in this situation, all causal geodesics of the Einstein metric \(h\) are causal geodesics of the physical metric \(g\) as well, singularities of the physical metric \(g\) can be studied in terms of the familiar singularity theorems of general relativity. It is the topic of a paper by \textit{H. Sirousse Zia} [Gen. Relativ. Gravitation 26, No. 6, 587-597 (1994; Zbl 0815.53093)] and of the comment under review to investigate under which conditions the causal geodesics of \(h\) are, indeed, causal geodesics of \(g\) as well. It appears that the author of the comment misunderstood some essential points. This is demonstrated by the following sentence, quoted from the comment. ``Unfortunately, Sirousse Zia's contention, that completeness of all causal geodesics is equivalent to the strong energy condition, is incorrect.'' As a matter of fact, such a nonsensical contention is not contained in Sirousse Zia's paper. On the contrary, the strong energy condition is used as a partial condition for geodesic incompleteness.