Day 238: Our Moral Conscience (2025)

In this episode of the Catechism in a Year podcast, Father Mike Schmitz delves into the concept of moral conscience as outlined in paragraphs 1776 to 1782 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He explains conscience as an inherent law, a voice calling one to love, do good, and avoid evil, emphasizing it as a judgment of reason rather than mere feeling. Father Mike stresses the importance of interiority and being present to oneself to hear the voice of conscience, which can be malformed or numbed by the distractions of the world. He highlights that conscience enables responsibility for one's actions and serves as a reminder of the need for forgiveness and the pursuit of good, even after committing evil. The episode concludes by addressing the right to act according to one's conscience, particularly in religious matters, while clarifying that this right does not justify avoiding obligations or actions one simply dislikes.