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, 55.

            Saint John Paul II (+2005) highlights how some commentators seem afraid to use the term “judgments” rather preferring “decisions” insisting all the while that any decision must be made “autonomously” in order “to attain moral maturity.”  While the Holy Father was not the only contributor to the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et spes, he was surely aware of the distinction between true and false understandings of “autonomy” addressed in GS, 36).  There is a rightful “autonomy of earthly affairs” and a false assertion of independence in temporal affairs as if were are not created nor dependent upon God and can use our independence “without any reference” to our Creator (cf. GS, 36).

            Aren’t “decisions” based on “judgments”?  Before crossing the street (a decision) don’t we check the traffic first so as to not get run over?  We do this because we judge that it is better to not get run over.  When given a choice between drinking motor oil and coffee, please base your decision on the sound judgment that even without cream and sugar the coffee should do less harm.  When considering the Commandments of God specifically, it is best for us to base our decisions and judgments in accord with the will of the Lord revealed.  It is against our very nature to claim “autonomy” from our Creator when it comes to our decisions and judgments on what good to do and evil to avoid.

            Of course, the Lord Jesus teaches us of certain dangers associated with judgment (cf. Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37; John 7:24).  He also did not come to do away with the Law and the Prophets (cf. Matthew 5:17).  Are we to throw away 1 Corinthians 2:15 or 1 Corinthians 6:2 (itself a judgment) that those who have the Spirit judge all things and that the saints shall judge the world?  Are we to judge that Moses was misled when inspired by God to write about the judgments of God (cf. Exodus 21:1; 24:3; Leviticus 18:4-5, 26)?  Our primary responsibility is to make sure our own conscience is well formed and well examined.  We do this primarily before the Cross of the Lord upon which He died to save us from our sins.  We also form and examine our conscience, that is make judgements and decisions as to the good we have done or failed to do and the evil we have done or should avoid in light of the Commandments, the Beatitudes and the teaching of Mother Church.            

            God bless you!

            Father John Arthur Orr