Conscience
By : Noel D'oliveiro

The conscience is not only a highly misunderstood concept but also a much-abused tool, due primarily to lack of good catechesis. Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a man and its freedom is the matrix, the indispensable condition, of nearly every other form of freedom. Trying to control the conscience of others is as futile as trying to control death.

Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience. To deny a person this right is to deny what can be considered one's most basic freedom: to think for one's self. Without the right to freedom of conscience, other rights hold little meaning.

The conscience clause is a part of a law that says that the law need not be obeyed by anyone whose conscience will not allow one to obey it. One should act on one’s own judgment, enjoying and making use of a responsible freedom that is not driven by coercion. It is in accordance with his dignity as a person--that is, a being endowed with reason and free will and therefore privileged to bear personal responsibility.

The state has therefore the obligation to respect this right and to ensure that it is protected by the imposition of such measures that deny this right. This freedom of conscience is non-interferable.

Freedom of conscience constitutes the most inner part of man and any interference with it is a grave violation.