Forming a Catholic Conscience

Discussion What is your conscience? Who is the voice of your conscience? Why might it be difficult to listen to your conscience?

The Components of Moral Problems Every moral problem consists of: The moral object (what) – the action being contemplated The intention (why) – the motive, the one doing the action, had in mind when performing it The circumstance (who, where, when, and how) – which gives colour and texture to the moral object

Two Important Principles 1. The end does not justify the means. A good end does not justify an evil means Example: robbing a bank to give money to the poor 2. If any of the elements in an act are evil, the action itself is considered wrong. The moral object, intention, and circumstances must be good

The See Judge Act Evaluate Model Is there a decision to be made? Who will the decision affect? Is it a moral decision? (Does it have anything to do with loving God, myself, or others?)

The See Judge Act Evaluate Model Analyze the options – use your conscience Ask what the Church teaches using the Catechism Learn from the experience of committed Catholics: the Tradition of the Church Determine what the bible says: the Magisterium (Teaching authority of the Church)

The See Judge Act Evaluate Model Determine what the most loving thing to do is. Evaluate How did my decision affect my relationship with God, myself, and others?