THE FORMATION OF CONSCIENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION
Keywords:
Conscience, Cross, Erroneous Conscience, Formation of Conscience, Globalization, Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Voice of GodAbstract
Conscience is the ‘voice of God’ that demands obedience. It inspires us with the ways of the Lord, revealing the “Will of God” in a here and now situation. Most unfortunately, this ‘voice of God’ is often not heard, disobeyed and tampered to echo the voices of the forces of the world. Globalization, a context in which we are living, is a most influencing force with its negative ideologies of ‘profit alone’ that permeates into all walks of human life, orientation and moral decision. Craving for economic advantages, political power and worldly pleasures – the ‘voice of God’ go faint. While making moral decisions, it is the voice of the former than the latter which gets priority, often leading to violence in various forms. To counter this, one has to unlearn what is wrongly learnt to relearn the right life principles according to the ‘voice of God.’ This article is an effort to point out some of these areas which are to be unlearnt and also shows life principles that are to be inculcated in one’s life in order that the conscience is formed well, adheres to the voice of God sincerely.
References
Bernard Häring, Free and Faithful in Christ: Moral Theology for Clergy and Laity, Vol 1 General Moral Theology, New York: The Seabury Press, 1978.
Bernard Häring, Free and Faithful in Christ: Moral Theology for Clergy and Laity – Light to the World Vol. 3, New York: Crossroad, 1981.
Bernard Häring, The Law of Christ: Moral Theology for Priests and Laity Vol. III: Special Moral Theology: Man’s Assent to the All-Embracing Majesty of God’s Love, Edwin G. Kaiser, trans., Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 1977.
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (CSDC).
Daniel G. Groody, Globalization, Spirituality, and Justice: Navigating the Path to Peace, New York: Orbis Books, 2009.
Donald W. Wuerl, “The Bishop, Conscience and Moral Teaching,” in Catholic Conscience Foundation and Formation: Proceedings of the Tenth Bishops’ Workshop Dallas, Texas, Russell E. Smith, ed., Connecticut: The Pope John Center, 1991.
F.X. Durrwell, The Resurrection: A Biblical Study, New York: Sheed and Ward, 1961.
Horst Sing, “Emerging Alternatives to Globalization and Transformative Action,” in Globalization and its Victims, Michael Amaladoss, ed., Delhi: Vidyajyoti Education & Welfare Society/ISPCK, 1999.
John Paul II, “If You Want Peace, Respect the Conscience of Every Person:” Message for the XXIV World Day of Peace, Vatican: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1990.
John Paul II, Ecclesia in America: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Encounter with the Living Jesus Christ: The Way to Conversion, Communion and Solidarity in America, Vatican: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1999.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, “Conscience and Truth,” in Crisis of Conscience, John M. Haas, ed., New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1996.
Joseph E. Stiglitz, Globalization and its Discontents, New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2003.
Karl H. Peschke, Christian Ethics – Moral Theology in the Light of Vatican II: General Moral Theology Vol.1, Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 2010.
Karl H. Peschke, Christian Ethics: Moral Theology in the Light of Vatican II: Special Moral Theology Vol.2, Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 2010.
Raphael Karekatt, “Global Market Meltdown: A Moral Audit II,” in Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, 6, 73 (2009).
Theodor Herr as quoted in Karl H. Peschke, Christian Ethics: Moral Theology in the light of Vatican II.
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiæ: Virtues of Justice in the Human Community, IIII, 101-122: q. 122.2, London: Black Friars, 1972.
United States Catholic Bishops, Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy, Washington: National Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1986.
Vimal Tirimanna, “Moral Theological Implications of Globalization from a Third World Perspective,” Vidyajyothi 65 (2001).