CONSCIENCE What Is It?

JOURNAL QUESTION Give an example of people you know who you think have a GOOD CONSCIENCE. Why do they have a good conscience? How can you tell they have a good conscience?

“INFORMED” SOURCES… “Always let your conscience be your guide.” “You better think of the consequence” “there’s a voice in everyone called conscience… whispering.”

Richard Gula On Defining Conscience: “Like trying to nail Jello to a wall; just when you think you have it pinned down, part of it begins to slip away.”

Servais Pinckaers Conscience signifies the voice of God that resounds in the intimacy of the human heart, one on one. Conscience supremely judges and commands, but it also calls to conversion.

Timothy O’Connell He describes three different senses of conscience: Conscience/1 A Characteristic The ability to know and do the good. Conscience/2 A Process The formation process of discerning right from wrong. Conscience/3 A Judgment A decision to act in a concrete situation.

Veritatis Splendor Like the natural law itself and all practical knowledge, the judgment of conscience also has an imperative character: man must act in accordance with it. If he acts against this judgment…he stands condemned by his own conscience, the proximate norm of personal morality. (#60) John Paul II promulgated this encyclical on August 6, 1993. Its English name is: REGARDING CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS OF THE CHURCH'S MORAL TEACHING.

DIGNITATIS HUMANAE In all his activity a man is bound to follow his conscience in order that he may come to God, the end and purpose of life. It follows that he is not to be forced to act in manner contrary to his conscience. (#3) This is Paul VI. He promulgated this conciliar document on December 7, 1965. Its English title is: DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

GAUDIUM ET SPES Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man. There he is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in his depths. In a wonderful manner conscience reveals that law which is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor. In fidelity to conscience, Christians are joined with the rest of mankind in the search for truth. (#16) This is a conciliar document from Vatican II. It was promulgated by Paul VI on the same date as Dignitatis Humanae, December 7, 1965. Its English name is Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.

POPE FRANCIS So we also [like Jesus] must learn to listen more to our conscience. Be careful, however: this does not mean we ought to follow our ego, do whatever interests us, whatever suits us, whatever pleases us. That is not conscience. Conscience is the interior space in which we can listen to and hear the truth, the good, the voice of God. It is the inner place of our relationship with Him, who speaks to our heart and helps us to discern, to understand the path we ought to take, and once the decision is made, to move forward, to remain faithful. (Angelus, 6-30-13)

The Catechism In all he says and does, man is obliged to follow faithfully what he knows to be just and right. It is by the judgment of his conscience that man perceives and recognizes the prescriptions of the divine law. (#1778)

The Bible St. Paul: “Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” (Acts 24:16) “Some, by rejecting conscience, have made a shipwreck of their faith,” (1 Timothy 1:19b)

The Bible (Romans) “They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them.” (2:15) “I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the holy Spirit in bearing me witness.” (9:1) “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. (12:2)

Take two minutes now on your own and write down a few sentences about what you believe conscience to be…

TIME'S UP!! Let’s take some time to share what you wrote. Remember, there are no wrong answers…

THE END