My dear parishioners,
Peace! In other bulletins (4 December, 2016-11 June, 2017) we have considered the teaching of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on “conscience.” We then turned to Saint John Paul II’s encyclical letter Veritatis splendor (6 August, 1993) which addresses fundamental moral issues, including “conscience” more than one hundred times. These reflections were begun earlier (6 April, 2018-30 May, 2018). Here we now consider a passage from Veritatis splendor, 64.2.
Saint John Paul II (+2005) when considering the “seeking what is true and good” reminds us that “Christians have a great help for the formation of conscience in the Church and her Magisterium.”
Have you ever heard anyone say, or have you said yourself, “no one can tell me what to do!”? If so, this may be a case of psychological reactance, the response our brains make when faced with threats to freedom, as old as humanity (cf. Genesis 3:1-24). When refusing help or advice we can ask ourselves if it is due to pride or a haughty spirit (cf. Proverbs 16:18).
How is the Church able to help us form our conscience? In her sacraments and in her moral teaching Mother Church helps us to form our conscience. The sacramental formation of conscience begins as early as Baptism which washes away Original Sin (at least it’s eternal consequences) and reminds us of the realities of sin and grace, mercy and justice. Conscience is further formed in the Sacrament of Penance (also called Confession, Reconciliation…). Our examination of conscience, as a part of the sacrament, is carried out in light of the Commandments of God and of the Church, the Beatitudes and the like. The confessor may even have some advice or suitable counsel.
How does the Magisterium of the Church help us to form our conscience? The Magisterium of the Church addresses both matters of faith and morals. Both of these aspects of the magisterial doctrine of Mother Church help us to form our conscience. Part of the doctrine of the Church is that human beings are rational creatures. This aspect of the theological anthropology of the Church’s Magisterium allows for personal moral responsibility. One fourth of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (11 October, 1992), a teaching instrument of the Ordinary Magisterium, is devoted to our moral lives in Christ, the Commandments of the Lord and of His Church. The entire Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (2004) provides another two hundred and fifty plus pages wherein the Second Table of the Law, Commandments 4our through ten, are considered in depth.
We are responsible for the good we do (or fail to do) and the evil we do (or refuse to do). When we listen to Christ speak to us, to our hearts and minds, through His Church we are able to become “wise beyond our years” as He is ever ancient, ever new (cf. Proverbs 9:11; Psalm 119:100; Matthew 16:19; 18:18; Luke 10:16; Hebrews 13:8).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr