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cernment. In response, we need to provide an education which teaches critical think-
ing and encourages the development of mature moral values.
(Pope Francis,
Evangelii Gaudium
, no. 64)
A Well-Formed Conscience
17. The Church equips its members to address political and social questions by
helping them to develop a well-formed conscience. Catholics have a serious
and lifelong obligation to form their consciences in accord with human reason
and the teaching of the Church. Conscience is not something that allows us
to justify doing whatever we want, nor is it a mere “feeling” about what we
should or should not do. Rather, conscience is the voice of God resounding in
the human heart, revealing the truth to us and calling us to do what is good
while shunning what is evil. Conscience always requires serious attempts to
make sound moral judgments based on the truths of our faith. As stated in the
Catechism of the Catholic Church
, “Conscience is a judgment of reason whereby
the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he is
going to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed. In
all he says and does, man is obliged to follow faithfully what he knows to be
just and right” (no. 1778).
18. The formation of conscience includes several elements. First, there is a
desire to embrace goodness and truth. For Catholics, this begins with a will-
ingness and openness to seek the truth and what is right by studying Sacred
Scripture and the teaching of the Church as contained in the
Catechism of
the Catholic Church
. It is also important to examine the facts and background
information about various choices. Finally, prayerful reflection is essential to
discern the will of God. Catholics must also understand that if they fail to
form their consciences in the light of the truths of the faith and the moral
teachings of the Church they can make erroneous judgments.
2
The Virtue of Prudence
19. The Church fosters well-formed consciences not only by teaching moral
truth but also by encouraging its members to develop the virtue of prudence,
which St. Ambrose described as “the charioteer of the virtues.” Prudence
enables us “to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the
right means of achieving it” (
Catechism of the Catholic Church
, no. 1806). Pru-
dence shapes and informs our ability to deliberate over available alternatives,
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