Your Conscience and Church Teaching

This article sheds light on the complex link between personal conscience and Church teaching. The classical stress on universal principles (the nature and essence of particular actions) may not fully appreciate the persons who must make conscience decisions, especially as they grow. Father Nicholas Lohkamp, OFM, explains the roles of official teachers (magisterium), of theologians, and of preachers, and of the individual’s response to Christ’s call.

“We are all trying to follow the one Christ who promised to remain with us. We are all guided by the Spirit he promised to send so that we do not lose our way—even in times of confusion and change,” writes Lohkamp.

Updated in 2018.