Freedom of Conscience

[tipiloschi]

Great posts… Thanks for all the (name removed by moderator)ut.

Keep um coming!

 

[fix]

…The question again arises: could the conscience of a Catholic tell him that laws are wrong, and therefore should be rejected or disobeyed?

No. Clearly no; not at least if his conscience as a Catholic tells him, as it ought, that Christ stands behind such laws and teachings. To suggest that the Church’s law is wrong in any such matter is to suggest that Christ is wrong; it is to suggest that he has failed in his promises to his Church: “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven” (Mt 18:18), “whoever listens to you listens to Me” (Lk 10:16).

It may happen that, in some such matter, my conscience (my mind, really) does not “see” the logic or the human reasons behind the law. But my mind, if it is a Catholic mind, tells me that Christ is behind it. If Christ is behind the law (my mind should go on to conclude), then the law must be right; and it must also be right, it must be Christ’s Will, that I obey it. But, of course, if the law is right and if it is right for me to obey it, then my conscience - which “argues” against the law or against its acceptance - must be wrong…

Conscience

 

[mlchance]

How do you engage then, thougtful catholics who pray fervently and who say they have read church teaching on contraception but simply feel that with their diligent reflection they feel that using contraception is OK for them?

I don’t engage them. I pray for them to stop deluding themselves and get with the program. Freedom of conscience is never an excuse to dissent from doctrine.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[DonProfondo]

How do you engage then, thougtful catholics who pray fervently and who say they have read church teaching on contraception but simply feel that with their diligent reflection they feel that using contraception is OK for them?

I think the key word here is “feel.” That would seem to indicate a lack of **reasoned **reflection, “diligent” though it may be.