In his teaching to his brothers and sisters he always called them to bring sinners back to God through example, not harassment or humiliation. Because when he looked at Christ he saw a humble God. He also reminded his followers that Christ’s last words on the cross were, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.”
In his mystical theology, which the Church not only accepted, but for which the Church gave him a title that has never been given to any other Christian, The Mirror of Perfection, Francis embraced conversion from sin for himself. He embraced the teaching of conversion and he also embraced humanity as Christ embraced it, without the fundamentalist rhetoric. He embraced the cross and the message of the cross.
Neither in his writings, nor in his preaching did Francis ever tell a sinner that they were going to Hell. What he attempted to impress upon sinners the love that God has for us and how to respond to that love with detachment from everything that is of this world, including the pride that many have because they are “saved” or “Catholic.”
Francis did many beautiful things, but there were two that speak to this issue of conscience and sin. First, he travelled to Morocco to preach to the Muslims. When he arrived he sought the sultan to ask for permission to preach to his people. The sultan was so impressed by his humility that he granted it. Francis preached and left. He witnessed to the beauty and humility of the Crucified Christ. So much so, that the sultan said, “If all Christians were like this, I would convert tomorrow.”
The second event that is recorded in history was an invitation that he made to one of his brothers to go preach in a town that was steeped in sin. As they walked through the town, Francis ordered the brother to say nothing to anyone until he (Francis) gave him permission. This was interesting, as Francis was a layman and the other brother was a priest. Obedient to his Father, the brother kept his mouth shut. They passed many churches. As they exited the town the brother asked him where they were to preach. Francis answered, “We just finished.”
As to conscience, moral theology says many things about conscience, but it does not say that we should berate anyone. In one of the threads on this forum there is a list of outstanding bishops. Among them are two of our brothers, Archbishop Chaput and Cardinal O’Malley. Both have spoken in public on this many other sins. Neither has ever walked up to an individual and pointed the finger. They speak to the masses. Individual pastoral counselling and guidance is for the private arena, when someone asks for help.
I presented my idea in a manner consistent with Franciscan mysticism. This may not be the theology of the OP. So be it, but do not take it out of its Franciscan context. Francis hated sin, but refrained from judging the sinner. Because this was not the way that Christ did it. Christ’s admonition was to “sin no more.” It was not, “Caught you!” He preached to the masses or did one on one ministry, such as the Samaritan woman or the woman in adultery, when the opportunity was available.
Some people want to go on a campaign against homosexual sin. What about sins against human life (i.e. Abortion and capital punishment)? Where is the thread that asks “do you hate murder?” or “do you hate barbarism?”
THANK YOU.