| A SHORT COURSE ON MORALITY IV. “The Conscience Vote" Self-reflection (self-examination/introspection/interiority) is necessary in order to hear and follow the voice of conscience. Beware of distracts (esp. noise)! Looking at ourselves in a mirror. CONSCIENCE – WHAT IS IT? “Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling him to love and to do what is good and to avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the right moment…For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God…His conscience is man's most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths” (Gaudium et Spes, 16, Vatican II). Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), Swedish philosopher: Conscience is God’s presence in man. “Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed” (CCC 1778). "He must not be forced to act contrary to his conscience. Nor must he be prevented from acting according to his conscience, especially in religious matters" (Dignitatis Humanae, 3, Vatican II) FOLLOWING YOUR CONSCIENCE Do we always have to follow our conscience? If it is certain then YES! “A human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience. If he were deliberately to act against it, he would condemn himself” (CCC 1790). “Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened [a lifelong task]. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful” (CCC 1783). “In the formation of conscience the Word of God and the Lord's Cross are the light for our path. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church” (CCC 1785). Archbishop Pell: “Conscience is at the service of truth; it stands under God’s word. Conscience has no primacy. Truth has primacy. The Word of God has primacy” (30 May, 2003). The truth is recognized practically and concretely by the prudent judgment of conscience. Conscience bears witness to truth. Conscience is like a watch. It needs to be set to the correct time in order to guide you correctly. So what if my conscience conflicts with someone else’s/the law/the Church? Having done all that I can to be duly informed I must follow me conscience. Cardinal Newman: “to Conscience first, and to the Pope afterwards”. Our conscience directs us to obey the Pope. When we don’t follow our conscience… Hyper-criticism, excessive sensitivity, overly generously compensation… The effect of priests in clerics (e.g., Myer Megamart). Parents make up for their own mistakes in the lives of their kids. Stanislaus I, King of Poland (1677-1766): Conscience warns us as a friend before it punishes us as a judge.” TO CHOOSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONSCIENCE Man strives to interpret the data of experience and the signs of the times assisted by the virtue of prudence, by the advice of competent people, and by the help of the Holy Spirit and his gifts. Some rules apply in every case: - One may never do evil so that good may result from it; - The Golden Rule: "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them." - Charity always proceeds by way of respect for one's neighbour and his conscience. Principles when in doubt: If you are in doubt but don’t have to act you must not act but resolve the doubt. If you are in doubt but have to act then purify your intention then choose what you judge to be best calling on all the help you can get at the time. ERRONEOUS JUDGMENT Invincible (innocent) ignorance (= good conscience) - But the act is still evil! (A right conscience is in accordance with moral truth) The dignity of the human person implies and requires uprightness of moral conscience. Conscience = responsibility; responsibility = conscience. French Proverb: There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience. Vincible (deliberate) ignorance = culpability. (I can’t be bothered finding out.) What may lie at the source of errors of judgment in moral conduct: Ignorance of Christ and his Gospel, bad example given by others, enslavement to one's passions, assertion of a mistaken notion of autonomy of conscience, rejection of the Church's authority and her teaching, lack of conversion and of charity. A story by F. Ellis: “Oh, yes,” said the Indian, “I know what my conscience is. It is a little three-corned thing in here,” he said, as he laid his hand on his heart, “that stands still when I am good; but when I am bad, it turns round and the corners hurt very much. But if I keep on doing wrong, by and by the corners wear off and it doesn’t hurt any more.” Benjamin Franklin (1706-90): A good conscience is continually happy... A good conscience is a continual Christmas. Examination of Conscience THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (1762-1775) |
 |