LAUDATO SI WEEK STARTS MAY 22. check out http://www.laudatosiweek.org May 21.  Andrew explained that when pope Francis presented his letter about the family, Amoris Laetitia, to the people there were almost two factions. Some bishops, theologians and laity followed his more pastoral approach to many of the issues around divorce, remarriage and receiving communion as well as contraception and acknowledging the place of conscience in moral decisionmaking by the people and families. Another group disagreed and wanted a much more strict approach to upholding traditional teaching. There clearly was conflict between them. Andrew concluded, “does the approach to conscience today lie at the heart of this conflict. Wasn’t its supremacy already taught by theologians long ago in the Church’s history?”  Maureen added quietly, “But it can still be a very difficult matter, as a parent too, to listen with openness to one’s inner voice of right and wrong.”

Reflect, share and act. Scripture. If the world hates you know that it has hated me before it hated you. They do not know him who sent me.  John 15:18-21. Pope Francis:   We find it hard to make room for the consciences of the faithful, who very often respond as best they can to the Gospel amid their limitations and are capable of carrying out their own discernment in complex situations. We have been called to form consciences, not to replace them.  AL37.    What we call truth is not only reporting of facts and events such as we find in the daily papers.  It is primarily the search for the solid foundations sustaining our decisions and our laws. This call for acknowledging that the human mind is capable of transcending immediate concerns and grasping certain truths that are unchanging as true now as in the past.  As it peers into human nature reason discovers universal values derived from that same nature.  FT 208. Pray. Mary, mother of law-makers pray for us.