Absolutely loving this new feature. If these first two are representative of the quality we can expect, then this will very quickly become the highlight of my Fridays.
I understand the essential concepts but I must admit that this discussion is a bit esoteric. I wish that The Pillar would offer something a bit more accessible to normal Catholics. Specifically, an explainer about the different emphases and conclusions of the pre-conciliar and post-conciliar "conscience-centered moral theology." The latter seems to indicate the idea that conscience can, somehow, obviate natural and Christian moral obligations, very similar to the views of many "progressive" Catholics today. Is this correct? More importantly, where does Pope Francis stand on this important issue? And is his position consistent with the Ordinary Magisterium?
I seem to recall JPII writing something along the lines of conscience being able to diminish, but never eliminate, the moral guilt associated with an intrinsically evil act. Sounds like a few theologians missed the memo.
Dr. Levering was asked about vaccine mandates, but he dodged the question with a quip about vaccines. Missing that opportunity robbed this interview of a necessary concreteness, raising the question of whether the book is just as abstract, pointedly refusing to engage with illuminating examples.
Hi Father. The question here isn't about whether, say, mRNA vaccines are licit...which, as you point out, has been decided. The question is, in light of government and other mandates, what role conscience plays for those who have an objection...and how that fits into the framework/lens provided.
Indeed, I believe the Holy Father has said not only that the vaccines are licit, but that Catholics, all people of good will, have a duty in love and solidarity to get vaccinated.
Yes. He would perform a great service by demonstrating how the manuals would have handled the question, how the Tyrellians would handle the question, how the Haerings would handle the question, and how his own approach would handle the question.
I hope my comment doesn't sound too wacky but for a long time I've been bothered by what people without consciences, in some forms, sociopathic, can draw their virtue and holiness from. There seems to be Catholics including clergy who don't feel guilt for sin. As long as it's hidden from public view they are fine with it. Or even for those who go through temporary life crisis being drawn away from good habits and conscience by the forces within and without.
Most of what was in this interview was way over my head. I'm a plumber. But when he said, "I yearn to be configured to God so as to share in God's life and to truly be charitable." Sir, I've yearned for the same thing since my early twenties too. "...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death..." (Philippians 3:10).
As I read this about CONSCIENCE, the gist of how I understand it is that as a matter of faith our CONSCIENCE can, well, be demonstrably ill-formed. Thus skewing our understanding of what it means to be a faithful believer. Correct?
Excellent interview! Dr. Levering’s articulation of the desire to be truly configured to Christ and what that actually means strikes such a chord. I don’t know that I’m actually smart enough to read his book, but I definitely want to try after this article. Thanks!
Absolutely loving this new feature. If these first two are representative of the quality we can expect, then this will very quickly become the highlight of my Fridays.
Well, so much for Jiminy Cricket as a moral philosopher.
I understand the essential concepts but I must admit that this discussion is a bit esoteric. I wish that The Pillar would offer something a bit more accessible to normal Catholics. Specifically, an explainer about the different emphases and conclusions of the pre-conciliar and post-conciliar "conscience-centered moral theology." The latter seems to indicate the idea that conscience can, somehow, obviate natural and Christian moral obligations, very similar to the views of many "progressive" Catholics today. Is this correct? More importantly, where does Pope Francis stand on this important issue? And is his position consistent with the Ordinary Magisterium?
Good idea.
I seem to recall JPII writing something along the lines of conscience being able to diminish, but never eliminate, the moral guilt associated with an intrinsically evil act. Sounds like a few theologians missed the memo.
Dr. Levering was asked about vaccine mandates, but he dodged the question with a quip about vaccines. Missing that opportunity robbed this interview of a necessary concreteness, raising the question of whether the book is just as abstract, pointedly refusing to engage with illuminating examples.
Hi Father. The question here isn't about whether, say, mRNA vaccines are licit...which, as you point out, has been decided. The question is, in light of government and other mandates, what role conscience plays for those who have an objection...and how that fits into the framework/lens provided.
Indeed, I believe the Holy Father has said not only that the vaccines are licit, but that Catholics, all people of good will, have a duty in love and solidarity to get vaccinated.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-08/pope-francis-appeal-covid-19-vaccines-act-of-love.html
So much for the MY BODY MY CHOICE belief system.
Yes. He would perform a great service by demonstrating how the manuals would have handled the question, how the Tyrellians would handle the question, how the Haerings would handle the question, and how his own approach would handle the question.
yes, I agree. This article as it is, was not very helpful to me.
I hope my comment doesn't sound too wacky but for a long time I've been bothered by what people without consciences, in some forms, sociopathic, can draw their virtue and holiness from. There seems to be Catholics including clergy who don't feel guilt for sin. As long as it's hidden from public view they are fine with it. Or even for those who go through temporary life crisis being drawn away from good habits and conscience by the forces within and without.
Anyway back to regular programming.
Most of what was in this interview was way over my head. I'm a plumber. But when he said, "I yearn to be configured to God so as to share in God's life and to truly be charitable." Sir, I've yearned for the same thing since my early twenties too. "...that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death..." (Philippians 3:10).
As I read this about CONSCIENCE, the gist of how I understand it is that as a matter of faith our CONSCIENCE can, well, be demonstrably ill-formed. Thus skewing our understanding of what it means to be a faithful believer. Correct?
Excellent interview! Dr. Levering’s articulation of the desire to be truly configured to Christ and what that actually means strikes such a chord. I don’t know that I’m actually smart enough to read his book, but I definitely want to try after this article. Thanks!