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, 62.3.

            Saint John Paul II (+2005) when considering the “seeking what is true and good” reminds us that “conscience is not an infallible judge;   it can make mistakes” recognizes that error(s) of conscience may be due to “invincible ignorance,” “an ignorance of which the subject is not aware” and which is unable to be overcome.  The Holy Father here is reinforcing what he had said earlier in VS, 32.1.  We are not “modernists” who deny the transcendent.  We are not atheists who deny the existence of Almighty God or His revelation.  The humility of the Holy Father, acknowledging the possibility of error, is not insignificant.

            There are at least two things to consider while thinking of “invincible ignorance,” namely invincibility and ignorance.  While each of us may have our areas of expertise there are other areas in which we may be lacking.  Not all rocket scientists are neurosurgeons.  Similarly, not all bricklayers are architects…  The inability to overcome one’s ignorance concerning rocket science (physics?), neurosurgery, masonry, architecture, or moral calculus is not necessarily a moral failure even if poor outcomes may result.  Who among us would want to go in a rocket with little chance of surviving take off (or landing) due to explosive risk?  Who among us would want to cross a bridge with little chance of it standing while we were walking to the other side?  When it comes to right and wrong however, who does not know that we should not steal, lie, do bodily harm…  If, due to some form of mental incapacity or lack of cognitive ability we fail to recognize the basic requirements of the Natural Law we may suffer from “invincible ignorance.”  

            Lack of awareness concerning moral matters may be due to youth, “the age of reason” thought to be about seven years of age.  Depending on the level(s) of depravity in which we live our lack of awareness may suffer from further difficulties.  This may be one reason we pray in the Act of Contrition that we will avoid whatever leads us to sin with the help of God’s grace.

            There is a difference between ignorance which is unable to be overcome and that which we are unwilling to overcome.  One of the spiritual works of mercy is to actually “instruct the ignorant” (cf. CCC § 2447).  The Lord Himself positively commands that we teach all that He has commanded (cf. Matthew 28:19-20), which also includes His moral doctrine (cf. Matthew 5:1-48).  May the light of God’s grace and revelation strengthen us daily.            

            God bless you!

            Father John Arthur Orr