1. Conscience

2. Story
A couple has been most happily married for many years. The husband and wife each work a job where they are paid minimum wage by the hour. They have a humble, but cozy apartment in a poor part of the city. They would retire from work if they could, but they still have to pay rent.
The wife takes sick and visits the doctor, where she learns that she has a tragic disease which is certain to lead to death if not tended to. The only way of curing the disease is to take a medication….which costs one thousand dollars per pill.

3. Story
The man understands that he can not presently afford the cost of her medication. He visits the pharmacist at the drug store to see if he would provide a loan, or if he would be willing to donate the pills as a nice gesture.
The pharmacist says that the man must pay for the pills, just as everyone else. If he gave the man and his wife the pills, he would have to do the same for every person who asked. The price is the price.

4. Questions What is the man to do?
He can not possibly get the money to cover the cost, but maybe he could steal it?
What is the right thing to do in this case?

5. Note
Objectivity: Facts that are not tainted by personal feelings or opinions. The idea that certain things exist that are separate from human interpretation.
Subjectivity: Questions are able to have different interpretations. The right answer is the answer that best fits your situation.
Conscience: The voice of God within our hearts that always leads us to do good rather than evil.

6. Forming Your Conscience and Making the Right Decision
Take-up the handout titled Outline for Note Taking.

7. Textbooks Page 77 – The Role of Our Conscience
Page 77 – Developing Our Conscience
Page 78 – The Teachings of the Magesterium
Page 79 – Making the Wrong Decision

8. Note – The Magisterium
Together the Pope and the bishops form the teaching authority of the Church, which is called the Magisterium.
Guided and protected by God, the Church speaks the truth about the faith.
It is the job of the Magisterium to be the custodian of the Bible and the Church.
(excerpt from Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth. Catholic Answers. California, USA, 1996)

9. The Catechism of The Catholic Church
An introduction to the Catechism of The Catholic Church