Neil Salsich's Morality Journal: Section 4
1.One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the topic of the week.
The main idea of the section is the morality of the Catholic Church, outlined in the Catechism. Catholics make decisions of morality based on the teachings of the Catechism and the proper formation of one's conscience. The bishops in union with the pope make up the Magesterium--the official teaching authority of the Catholic Church. The goal of Catholic morality should be to free. The Catholic concept of freedom means doing what one deeply and truly wants for himself/herself. This is different than the physical freedom most Catholics associate with the term "freedom." Morality originates from three sources: the object chosen, the end view (or intention) and the circumstances surrounding the action. Passions can also influence someone in making an important decision. The term "passions" refers to the emotions and feelings of human beings. They are neither good nor evil--they can be used towards evil of for good. Conscience, the mechanism by which we make our moral choices, is a "judgement if reason," and the Magesterium teaches that we should act on our conscience. In order for a conscience to be well formed, it must have three characteristics: uprightness, inferiority and responsibility. Uprightness means possessing an understanding of moral laws and applying them in one's life; interiority means living an examined life and possessing an understanding of oneself; responsibility means assuming responsibility for the actions determing by one's conscience. Finally, Catholics can use the 10 Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching as an auxilliary source to forming their conscience. The 10 Building Blocks are: The Principle of Human Dignity, the Principle of Respect For Human Life, The Principle of Association, The Principle of Participation, The Principal of Preferential Protection for the Poor and Vulnerable, The Principle of Solidarity, The Principle of Stewardship, The Principle of Subsidiarity, The Principle of Human Equality and the Principle of the Common Good.
2. List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
Venial vs. Mortal Sin - First off, to understand this concept, one must know the definition of sin: "an offense against reason, truth and right conscience; a failure in genuine love of God and neighbor cause by detachment and desire rooted in ignorance. A mortal sin is very serious; "it destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God's law." A venial sin is a lesser offense; "it allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds."
Particpation in Sin - There are more ways than one to sin. Many Catholics make the mistake of thinking that if they do not particpate directly in the sinful action that they are not doing any harm. However, if someone does any of the following, they are in fact sinning: particpation openly and voluntarily in the sinful act, protecting the sinner, encouraging the sinful act or by not stopping the sin or interceding.
The Principle of Stewardship - This was a particularly interesting principle because it is one that is commonly overlooked. Most people focus on the faults of human relationships (the poor, wars, human rights issues) but forget that without a healthy planet, the other principles would not be possible. The Principle of Stewardship states that we as humans are caretakers and stewards, not owners, of the planet. By being stewards, we are respecting the majesty and intricacy of God's creation. Stewardship also calls us to use or talents well, maintain our personal health and use our personal property well.
3. One image of that reminds you of the topic. Attribute, link, your source.
Source:The Artwork of Greg Mort
4. One good question you should keep with you to ponder.
After greatly expanding my knowledge of the documents of Catholic morality and the 10 Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching, what will I do to apply this new knowledge and supplement/change the moral principles I alreadt have?
5. What should you try to do to make you a better person, a more faithful person, from this study.
This section has provided a wellspring of knowledge concernging proper Catholic morality. The 10 Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching have struck me especially. To make myself a better person I can take this new knowledge (such as that of stewardship) and add it to the existing moral knowledge and understanding I already posess and also change some pre-existing beliefs that were proved faulty.
Home