I’m not going to throw out a personal opinion/judgment on the original post as it is not a factor anyway. As far as “Period” goes, that is in the case of dogma, not general teaching or instruction. Regarding teachings that are not dogma, the Church has a process for proper dissention (much to the chagrin of those who know better) which is very much tied to the proper or improper formation of conscience. In short, variable factors will contrubute to the seriousness of the OP’s situation. However, one is not to “play it safe” by saying that one has completed the necessary process of conscientious dissent (which says that you are willing to stand alone before God apart from the Church on this issue), then without remorse (of which one would probably not feel anyway), go to confession “just in case”. Also, one who dissents for any reason is not to make that dissention public.
1.The matter must be sufficiently grave to warrant consideration of dissent.
2.Have you studied the Church’s teaching fully? Do you think you understand it?
3.Since conscience is a spiritual faculty, we need to be celebrating the Sacraments frequently to make certain that we stay “connected”.
4.Do not engage in the activity while you are discerning it. This will blind your judgment.
5.Pray. If you cannot settle down long enough to pray about something, that might be telling you something.
6.Time or timing is essential. Spiritual life is a series of ups and downs.
7.Consult with an authority who will challenge you. If you only consult with dissenters, you will not have the full picture.
8.Have you considered the big picture? Keep in mind that your own culture influences your views. Are we informed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ or by the gospel of the world?
9.Are there no possible alternatives to dissent?
10.After prayer and discernment, are you at peace?
(Now it is my personal opinion that after going through all of that, it is less likely that one would choose to dissent.)
Now, before I get harpooned on this, please see below. The first is a quote from Pope John Paul, II. The second is a link to the CCC and subsequent topics regarding conscience. Again, the Church doesn’t say we can pick and choose what we want to believe, so that’s not what I’m saying.
“If man is admonished by his conscience-even if an erroneous conscience, but one whose voice appears to him as unquestionably true-he must always listen to it. What is not permissible is that he culpably indulge in error without trying to reach the truth.”
vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/index/c.htm
Conscience, 1776-802
authority and, 1903
conduct, choices, and, 1786-89, 1799
conversion and, 1435, 1453, 1797, 1848
definition and significance of, 1776, 1778, 1795
divine law and, 1706, 1776, 1778, 1786-87
erroneous judgment and, 1790-94, 1801
faith and, 160, 162, 1802
forgiveness of sins and, 1454, 1468, 1493, 1496
formation of, 1783-85, 1798, 1802
hearing the voice of, 1779, 1800
human dignity and moral, 1700, 1780, 2524
judgment of, 1777, 1800
mass media and the formation of, 2496
moral reparation and duty of, 2487
morality of human acts and, 1749, 1751, 1796 (see also Human act; Morality)
prudence and, 1806
refusal to bear arms for reasons of, 2311
responsibility for acts and, 1781
right to act in accordance with, 1786-89, 1799, 1907, 2106, 2242, 2256
right to act in freedom of, 1782
rights, duties, and conscience, 912
salvation and, 847
sin and offense against right, 1849, 1860, 1865
voice of, 33, 46, 1706, 1776, 1779, 1795, 2071
