Madam, - I am surprised that Fr Sean Fagan (December 29th) appears to think there is a conflict between Fr Vincent Twomey's statement on conscience and that of Pope Benedict XVI.
The Catholic Church consistently teaches two basic principles concerning conscience. First, that one is always bound to follow one's own conscience and that no authority, ecclesiastical or civil, can make it lawful for one to do that which one's conscience unhesitatingly condemns as morally wrong. Secondly, that one is bound to form one's conscience - that is, one's judgments on the moral character of one's actions - with great care.
For a Catholic this means that one ought to pray for God's guidance, to consult others, and to take account of the teachings of the Church. Fr Twomey makes the latter point, Pope Benedict the former. No conflict arises. - Yours, etc,
JOHN SKELLY, Diswellstown, Castleknock, Dublin 15.
Madam, - It was interesting to read in Fr Fagan's letter (December 29th) about Prof Ratzinger's balanced approach, at the time of the Second Vatican Council, to "informed conscience". However, I don't think I was dreaming when I read the more recent stern warning from Pope Benedict that Catholics should rely on the church's teaching and not on personalised beliefs. As pope rather than professor he sounds more like Fr Twomey than Fr Fagan, thereby reflecting the inevitable tension between dogma and reason.
Unconditional faith is a perversion of the thinking faculty that is the distinguishing feature of our species, and by demanding it the church offers us a disservice. - Yours, etc,
St C. DOWNEY, Dublin 8.