I came across this excellent document on "How to form a Catholic conscience". You can read it at source or read it below.
Deep within his conscience man discovers a law which
he has not laid upon himself but which he must obey. Its voice, ever calling
him to love and to do what is good and avoid evil, sounds in his heart at the
right moment... For man has in his heart a law inscribed by God... His
conscience is man's most secret core and his sanctuary. There he is alone with
God whose voice echoes in his depths.[i]
Conscience is not something that allows us to justify
doing whatever we want, nor is it a mere "feeling" about what we
should or should not do. Rather conscience is the voice of God resounding in
the human heart, revealing the truth to us and calling us to do what is good,
while shunning what is evil.
1. First,
there is a desire to embrace goodness and truth; to do what is right.
This sounds very simple, but it’s not. Because of our
fallen nature and the effects of original sin, we are often dominated by
self-interest. We must make up our minds that we wish to do what is right and
pleasing to God - not what is satisfying to ourselves. What does God desire?
Does this reflect God’s love?
2. Trust in
God, His Law, and His Church
In difficult matters of conscience, we may be tempted
to claim that we can decide for ourselves what is right and wrong, and that we
know better than the Bible or 2000 years of Church Teaching and Tradition.
This, though, is arrogance, not wisdom. Jesus taught us: “If you love me, you
will keep my commandments (Jn 14:15). Jesus also left us the Church as “the
pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15), and He told us that by listening
to those who teach in His name, we listen to Him (Lk. 10:16).
3. Study
Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the official teachings of the Church.
We believe that God reveals Himself - His Truth - to
us, by the power of His Holy Spirit, through Sacred Scripture, Sacred
Tradition, and the teaching authority of the Church. To have a well formed
conscience entails a serious study, attentiveness, and understanding of what
God has revealed to us. We must be willing to listen to God, not just
ourselves.
4. Use reason
to examine the facts and background information about various choices.
"Though faith is above reason, there can never be
any real discrepancy between faith and reason. Since the same God who reveals
mysteries and infuses faith has bestowed the light of reason on the human mind,
God cannot deny himself, nor can truth ever contradict truth”. Consequently,
methodical research in all branches of knowledge, provided it is carried out in
a truly scientific manner and does not override moral laws, can never conflict
with the faith, because the things of the world and the things of faith derive
from the same God. The humble and persevering investigator of the secrets of
nature is being led, as it were, by the hand of God in spite of himself, for it
is God, the conserver of all things, who made them what they are." (CCC,
159)
5. Seek the
advice of good, wise and prudent people.
This is especially important when facing practical
judgments of conscience. We must be careful to seek the advice of friends,
clergy, or Religious who are faithful, prudent, well informed, and wise. The
Church invites us to take our concerns to the Lord in a special way in the
Sacrament of Reconciliation.
6. Finally,
and most importantly, prayerful reflection is essential to discern the will of
God.
The more we pray with humility before God, the better
we will be able to hear Him speak in the depths of our hearts. Thus, a
well-formed conscience is one truly sensitive to the voice of God rooted in His
Word. If we sincerely desire to live in a manner holy and pleasing to God, we
must ask for the help of the Holy Spirit, who will remain in us and lead us to
all truth (cf. Jn. 14:16-17).
Absolute Guiding Principles: (CCC, 1789)
1. At times,
more than one decision can be morally justified, but we “may never do evil so
that good may result from it”.
2. Follow
the Golden Rule, “Do to others, as you would have them do to you”. Charity
always proceeds by way of respect for one’s neighbor and his conscience;
therefore you should never do anything that may lead your neighbor to stumble
and sin.
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