Apologetics: Conscience

Conscience is man’s most secret core, and his sanctuary. There he is alone with God whose voice echoes in his depths. It is a judgment of reason by which a person recognizes the good or evil quality (morality) of his or her actions. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful; everyone must work to form his or her conscience to the best of their ability. All people are obliged to obey their conscience when they are certain about a judgment. As Catholics, the Word of God and the Magisterium of the Church (teaching office of the Pope and bishops) is a light for our path as we work to cultivate our conscience during our lives. We integrate Scripture and Tradition in faith and prayer and put it into practice so that we develop a well-formed conscience. Freedom of conscience is a great gift that we must treasure both as Catholics and Americans, and is best valued when formed and used properly as intended by our Creator.