Primacy of Conscience

A few discussions over the St. Cecilia's morass led to discussions about 'primacy of conscience'.

I have never understood why smart people opine that the teaching of the Church on 'primacy of conscience' grants license for us to use our own desires and emotions to lift prohibitions on immorality and sin.

The human spirit is pulled by many things. We may have intellectual flaws. We may have experiences that have wounded our libido and psyche. Our anger, lust, avarice, jealousy and other things can cause us to be impulsive or make rash decisions or to engage in activities that are sinful and hurt others and God.

Can we remind ourselves about something we need or want and use 'primacy of our conscience' to take somebody's wallet?

If somebody uses the primacy of their conscience to the conclusion their life would be better off without somebody else and they kill them, that doesn't take away the painful consequences of that murder to everyone involved, does it?

Of course not. Primacy of conscience does not mean our thoughts and desires trump Church teaching. We can't rely upon our own desires and thoughts because we are experts at making up excuses.


Christ Sacrificed to leave us The Source to guide our judgment.

If you want to use your 'primacy of conscience' to reject it, that's called free will.

But by rejecting it, we are choosing sin and by choosing sin we are rejecting Christ and our salvation.

A reminder of our baptismal promises is all we ever need to know about the malpractice of John Unni and the luminaries who enable him.

Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

Here's the 411 on the primacy of conscience: You have the free will to remain faithful or to be unfaithful. Knock yourself out. On the day of judgment, we'll all get our recompense in accordance with which choice we made.

I wouldn't follow John Unni out of a burning building.