Principles Governing Conscience
PRINCIPLES GOVERNING CONSCIENCE
1. A certain and true conscience must always be followed
Our appropriate faculty that tells us of our moral duties and obligations
The voice of God in us leading us to His will and plan
2. The invincibly erroneous conscience must be followed, the same as certain conscience which is right
Even if erroneous it proposes something good or bad as a moral obligation and will of God;
To disobey it is to disobey what is subjectively believed as a moral duty – a sin
The possibility of error should make us conscious and careful in or moral judgements / open to advices of others
3. Vincibly erroneous conscience cannot be followed as a rule of action
Remove doubtful state before action
Postpone judgement and action or follow safer line of action
4. A person with lax conscience have the moral responsibility to change his state of mind
Error is a big possibility; can be considered vincibly erroneous
5. A person with perplexed conscience may postpone action if the decision can be delayed
Obtain necessary information and deliberate
6. If in doubt (doubtful conscience) one may never act
Action exposes one to the danger of injustice or sin
Use reflex principles: prudence, in doubt one must stand that the side of presumption stands
Doubtful conscience does not bind
FORMATION OF CONSCIENCE
It is our subjective norm, practical judgement of reason; plays a very vital role in our human life
There is a possibility of weakness or corruption; making erroneous judgement
We not only listen to it but make sure it is true and correct, mature, well informed and formed; capable of discerning with is true, good and moral
Form one’s subjective moral sense so that it will conform with the will of God – the ultimate objective norm
Strive to know and internalize objective truths and norms
Knowing and forming takes form also in prayer and discernment
Being open to those who can teach / authorities and experts
Do
1. A certain and true conscience must always be followed
Our appropriate faculty that tells us of our moral duties and obligations
The voice of God in us leading us to His will and plan
2. The invincibly erroneous conscience must be followed, the same as certain conscience which is right
Even if erroneous it proposes something good or bad as a moral obligation and will of God;
To disobey it is to disobey what is subjectively believed as a moral duty – a sin
The possibility of error should make us conscious and careful in or moral judgements / open to advices of others
3. Vincibly erroneous conscience cannot be followed as a rule of action
Remove doubtful state before action
Postpone judgement and action or follow safer line of action
4. A person with lax conscience have the moral responsibility to change his state of mind
Error is a big possibility; can be considered vincibly erroneous
5. A person with perplexed conscience may postpone action if the decision can be delayed
Obtain necessary information and deliberate
6. If in doubt (doubtful conscience) one may never act
Action exposes one to the danger of injustice or sin
Use reflex principles: prudence, in doubt one must stand that the side of presumption stands
Doubtful conscience does not bind
FORMATION OF CONSCIENCE
It is our subjective norm, practical judgement of reason; plays a very vital role in our human life
There is a possibility of weakness or corruption; making erroneous judgement
We not only listen to it but make sure it is true and correct, mature, well informed and formed; capable of discerning with is true, good and moral
Form one’s subjective moral sense so that it will conform with the will of God – the ultimate objective norm
Strive to know and internalize objective truths and norms
Knowing and forming takes form also in prayer and discernment
Being open to those who can teach / authorities and experts
Do