Conscience and disagreeing with the Church
Podcast: Episode Four
Episode Four is now live for everyone on Youtube and just dropped into podcast feeds!
In the past couple of episodes, Dominic and I have touched upon the topic of conscience. So we decided to devote a whole episode to talking about consciences in general but also what to do when your conscience does not line up with the Church’s teaching.
What do you do when you find yourself in disagreement with a Church teaching or decision? Many Catholics find themselves in this place at some point in their life of faith and some spend their entire lives there. This conflict can be deeply uncomfortable. It’s even more difficult when this teaching or discipline makes tangible demands on your life or when you are convinced that this teaching or discipline is actually harmful to the Church or to people in your life.
In this episode, Paul and Dominic dive into a discussion about conscience and disagreeing with the Church. They talk about some of the faulty beliefs they have had about conscience and then turn to what the Church actually teaches about it. Finally, they end with some ideas on how to navigate disagreement with the Church.
Part of this episode was based on Paul’s article on Where Peter Is, Disagreeing with the Church.
“We can wonder if God is demanding too much of us, asking for a decision which we are not yet prepared to make. This leads many people to stop taking pleasure in the encounter with God’s word; but this would mean forgetting that no one is more patient than God our Father, that no one is more understanding and willing to wait. He always invites us to take a step forward, but does not demand a full response if we are not yet ready. He simply asks that we sincerely look at our life and present ourselves honestly before him, and that we be willing to continue to grow, asking from him what we ourselves cannot as yet achieve” (153).
Paid subscribers get to watch each episode before everyone else, join private Q&As, and you’ll be able to pitch ideas for the topic of our final show this season! Become a paid subscriber to access the episode now.
ABOUT DOMINIC DE SOUZA SmartCatholics founder, Dominic de Souza, is a convert from radical traditionalism – inspired by WherePeterIs, Bishop Robert Barron, and Pope Francis. He is passionate about helping ordinary Catholics break the ‘bystander effect’, and be firstresponders. “We don’t have to be geniuses. We just have to show up with witness and kindness. Christ does the rest.” Today he hosts the SmartCatholics community.
https://smartcatholics.com
SPONSOR: SELECT INTERNATIONAL TOURS More Catholic Leaders choose Select International Tours than any other pilgrimage company. With 35 years of award-winning travel planning, they have a track record of excellence and faithfulness. And they are a small company with a big heart, because every one of their pilgrimage trips helps to support and fund their 501 (c)(3) charity work, helping Christian families thrive in the Holy Land. If you're ready to travel, or if you're looking to lead a group of your own, take the next step on your pilgrimage by visiting:
https://selectinternationaltours.com
SPONSOR: FATHER'S HEART CATECHESIS This show is brought to you by Father’s Heart Catechesis, a small group catechesis program that proclaims the relentless love of God. Founded by Paul Fahey, this program will, at every level, proclaim God’s love for you and all people. Like this podcast, it’s inspired by Pope Francis, centered on the mystery of theosis, and deeply grounded in the magisterial documents of the Church. Your kind donations allow us to create the kinds of resources we need to renew our hope. Learn more about Father’s Heart Catechesis at pfahey.com
SUPPORTERS: WherePeterIs
https://wherepeteris.com/
ABOUT SMARTCATHOLICS If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your one friend you think would really like to see it. Come and regroup with us in the free, Catholic community on smartcatholics.com We're free of trolls and ads and toxicity, faithful to the Holy Father Pope Francis and the Church, and committed to a culture of kindness and learning. Sound like you? Come and join us. Join the free community:
https://smartcatholics.com
Send us a gift: https://smartcatholics.com/donate
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smartcatholics/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartcathol...