Our wellspring of morality
Catholics have often been accused of blindly following a supreme authority (Roman Pontiff) and in so doing sacrificing there own views…there own soul. An argument as to a Catholic’s first allegiance, when making a decision, has raged in the Church for years. Some theologians claim the infallible word of the sitting pope must dictate the actions of a ‘Catholic’ where a statement has been made on how to act. Other theologians see the magisterium as a body designed to inform your conscience and so the conscience is the infallible voice….the heart is the infallible voice.
If we look at the first view (Pope) then for someone to call themselves ‘Catholic’ they must agree with the judgement of…say: homosexuality as ‘inherently evil’. This falls in line with the teaching of the pope.
Then the second view (Conscience) would suggest that, where certain beliefs are required to fall in line with the Church to adhere to Catholic doctrine, one’s conscience should be the deciding factor. This view would just stress that the views of the pontiff and the magisterium must be granted the weight they are owed in the decision making process.
So then…what of our present pontiff…our theologian pope. Many see Pope Benedict as a conservative and so should follow that road always but…Cardinal Ratzinger’s position as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith meant that it was his job to be conservative. He’s regained his position as shepherd after years as chief whip and we should listen to his words on the subject before those of the media.
“Over the pope as the expression of the binding claim of ecclesiastical authority, there still stands one’s own conscience, which must be obeyed before all else, even if necessary against the requirement of ecclesiastical authority. This emphasis on the individual, whose conscience confronts him with a supreme and ultimate tribunal, and one which in the last resort is beyond the claim of external social groups, even of the official Church, also establishes a principle: in opposition to increasing totalitarianism.” - Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)
So there you have it. For those conscience lovers among you our new pope agrees and for those who strigtly follow the word of the pope…..listen.
Friday, August 3rd, 2007 and is filed under Rome.
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