July 23, 2008

Conscience - Augustine or Aquinas

As a Church we are still trying to figure out which way to go concerning the matter of conscience. We are caught between St. Augustine, and St. Aquinas. Both believe in the moral conscience, with different takes on it. St. Augustine felt that our moral consciences needed to be formed properly, and that we should always submit to the Truth as defined by the Teaching Magisterium. St. Aquinas on the other hand believed that we must follow our moral conscience even when it is wrong. The Church has no clear cut direction on the Prmacy of Conscience, much of the Church’s statements are contradictions in what rules conscience or Teaching Magisterium. 

Recently Judy Lee of Florida, Gloria Carpeneto of Maryland and Gabriella Verlardi Ward of New York were ordained priests. The immediate  church response was swift, excommunication. Are the orders valid, yes they are. They were ordained over the objections of male dominated clergy in order to follow their call to priesthood. These women were faced with the decision of what to do when the Church tells them they cannot be ordained, and their consciences tell them the reverse.

Which will be followed conscience or Teaching Magisterium? Clearly these women followed their conscience to honor the call to be of service to the “People of God” in the role of priest. The Rainbow Sash Movement supports their ordination, contrary to the Vatican
naysayer’s we believe they have followed their conscience in this matter in seeking God’s truth, and goodness. St. Aquinas said if our conscience and church teaching are in conflict, we must obey our conscience.

The Church must begin to listen to the lived experiences of the laity not only in the ordination of women, but also the dignity of Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Catholics. If the only argument supporting these two positions is tradition certainly the Church officials should provide some support for their positions.

I understand Conscience as the dialogue between God and the individual within their internal forum. The outcome of our meditation will either support a angry god, or a loving God. We see in the ordination of these women a movement of the Holy Spirit. We believe "The Church puts herself always and only at the service of conscience." (Veritatis Splendor)

Posted by Joden at 12:13 PM |