The non believer is saved if, as St. Paul says and Pope Francis reiterates, he follows his conscience. But which of the two notions of conscience are we talking about?

The Absolute and conscience in the letter 

of Pope Francis to Eugenio Scalfari. 

A few observations.

by Stefano Fontana

To view the Letter click here

The letter Pope Francis recently sent to Eugenio Scalfari and published by “la Repubblica” (an Italian daily newspaper) on 11 September last, contains two affirmations that have been the center of efforts to interpret them. One has to do with the absoluteness of truth, and the second regards conscience. According to some of the aforementioned interpretations the Holy Father would have uttered two new theological positions compared with the traditional doctrine of the faith. In other words, he would have said truth is not absolute and would have embraced the thesis whereby salvation consists in following one’s conscience. Many observers saw in these phrases a reform of the Church’s vision regarding these problems, and the first of said observers was the newspaper that published the letter.

When the pope speaks in less official ways, as in an interview or in a letter – indeed, all the more so in such cases – what he says is always to be read in the light of all revealed truths and within the totality of Catholic doctrine, even if on such an occasion the pope was not able to present it in its entirety. Let us take a brief look at these two points in order to understand what Pope Francis wanted to say to us.

The question of the “absolute” truth ......

The issue of conscience .........

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The non believer is saved if, as St. Paul says and Pope Francis reiterates, he follows his conscience. But which of the two notions of conscience are we talking about?

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