When a Good Conscience Errs

Abstract

Standard Roman Catholic theology emphases the truth of the moral law and typically regards an error of conscience as a matter of ignorance, for which a person may be more or less culpable. Those who in good faith do wrong are, at best, to be “excused” rather than blamed. This article goes beyond the categories of ignorance, mistake and excuse to offer a positive evaluation of the good, albeit erring, conscience. Newman's understanding of the twofold nature of conscience is compared with recent studies of the distinction between (moral) goodness and (ethical) rightness. A well-formed conscience is shown to be both upright and faithful, and open to continuing conversion.