Dr. Charlton left an interesting comment on my post about conscience and personal discernment from yesterday. Citing a video (see below) that appeared on Ann Barnhardt's blog a few days ago, Dr. Charlton made the following observations (bold added):
Another aspect might be to discuss - with specific examples - 'how to do it' - suggestions of how, for example, to be a Roman Catholic who puts personal responsibility for discernment first.
I don't mean as a checklist! but more like the fundamental assumptions and aspirations of such an approach to the problem.
For instance, this Roman Catholic priest Fr James Mawdsley is inspiringly clear about how Catholics should approach the problem when current church authorities order behaviour contrary to the dictates of conscience, and of the deeper truths of the church:
I found this video, strongly endorsed, on Ann Barnhardt's web pages - and she certainly regards herself as an (ultra!) traditionalist, devoted to the church - yet able to make personal discernments when the current church authorities take the side of purposive evil.
All that divides this approach from Romantic Christianity is an explicit *awareness* of the personally-based nature of these primary discernments.
Note added: It is noteworthy that in the video Fr Mawdsley mentions "a profound problem with people's understanding of the law and obedience". This ties in well with the brouhaha over authority and obedience my Altar-Civilization post inadvertently stirred up.
Another aspect might be to discuss - with specific examples - 'how to do it' - suggestions of how, for example, to be a Roman Catholic who puts personal responsibility for discernment first.
I don't mean as a checklist! but more like the fundamental assumptions and aspirations of such an approach to the problem.
For instance, this Roman Catholic priest Fr James Mawdsley is inspiringly clear about how Catholics should approach the problem when current church authorities order behaviour contrary to the dictates of conscience, and of the deeper truths of the church:
I found this video, strongly endorsed, on Ann Barnhardt's web pages - and she certainly regards herself as an (ultra!) traditionalist, devoted to the church - yet able to make personal discernments when the current church authorities take the side of purposive evil.
All that divides this approach from Romantic Christianity is an explicit *awareness* of the personally-based nature of these primary discernments.
Note added: It is noteworthy that in the video Fr Mawdsley mentions "a profound problem with people's understanding of the law and obedience". This ties in well with the brouhaha over authority and obedience my Altar-Civilization post inadvertently stirred up.
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