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, 31.
Citing Dignitas Humanae,1 of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) in which Saint John Paul II participated as a Council Father, the link between responsibility and freedom is acknowledged. If we do as we believe or think or know to be good and right and true then we are responsible for our “actions on the grounds of duty and conscience.” If we are forced to do that which we know, think, or believe to be evil, wrong or bad our personal culpability is lessened if not removed altogether. Another way of describing such abuse of force is “external pressure or coercion.”
Saint John Paul II further identifies three “cumulative rights of the person, not only “conscience” but religious liberty and the journey towards the truth. This teaching is further bolstered by reference to Redemptor Hominis (4 Mary, 1979) and two further citations one pontifical and one from the Instruction on Christian Freedom and Liberation Libertatis Conscientia ,19 (22 March, 1986) of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
To invoke religious freedom or liberty is significant. Even if Luke 14:23 has been misused (“Go out to the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled”), we are not to force or coerce people to embrace the Gospel. Nor are we to be thwarted in proposing or propagating the Gospel. The “freedom of the children of God” (Romans 8:21) is expansive, but not a freedom to do whatever we want, only what is good, true and beautiful (cf. Philippians 4:8). When freedom is abused sin is the sad result (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1733). Inspired by God, Saint Paul reminds us that “the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). A well-formed conscience recognizes the truth of, the goodness or wickedness of our deeds and acts accordingly. A well-formed conscience has us turning away from sin and living the truth in love (cf. Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 4:15). That there is a journey towards the truth reminds us of several things. The progressive nature of knowledge, natural and supernatural. There was time when we did not know E=mc2or before the combustion engine or … The “book of nature” reveals the Creator (cf. Romans 1:20). The Covenants of old prepared for the new and everlasting Covenant (cf. Hebrews 1:1). We should never forget that “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32) and just Who is “the way and the truth and life” (John 14:6), namely, Jesus Christ!
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr