Leaving space for the conscience of the faithful, without trying to replace it, and at the same time helping them in the formation of their conscience, is an exciting and possible task.
Arturo Bellocq - Professor of Moral Theology, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Italy
An important part of the pastoral conversion to which Pope Francis calls us consists in "forming consciences". instead of "pretend to replace them", at "leave room for the conscience of the faithful". (cfr. Amoris laetitia, 37). This is a valuable indication for Moral Theology, which wants to give a reason for the Christian experience. In fact, Christian morality is not only a morality of truth, by which we know what we have to do to be happy. It is also a morality of freedom: the good Christian advances along the path indicated by Jesus Christ in the Gospel because he wants to, because he is personally convinced that this program of life fully responds to his desires for happiness.
