The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: Day 240 — Erroneous Judgment of Conscience (CCC 1790–1802)

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Podcast by: Ascension

Main Theme

This episode explores the concept of “erroneous judgment of conscience” in Catholic teaching. Fr. Mike discusses the Catechism’s teaching that everyone must obey the certain judgment of their conscience, while also recognizing that human conscience can be ignorant or make mistakes—sometimes with personal responsibility, sometimes without. The episode examines how error can enter into conscience, what forms this error can take, and why forming the conscience is essential for freedom and joy in Christian life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Obligation to Obey Conscience ([00:05]–[02:30])

• Central Teaching: “A human being must always obey the certain judgment of his conscience. If he were deliberately to act against it, he would condemn himself.”

• Fr. Mike explains: If you're convinced an action is wrong, doing it knowingly is self-condemnation.

  Quote: “We always must obey the certain judgment of our conscience. If I knew something would be the wrong thing to do...and I deliberately acted against that, I would be condemning myself.” (Fr. Mike, [01:20])

2. Erroneous Judgment and Ignorance ([02:30]–[07:25])

• The Catechism allows that conscience can remain ignorant and make mistakes.

  • Sometimes this ignorance is our own fault (culpable).
  • Sometimes it’s not possible to know (invincible ignorance).

• Fr. Mike’s analogy: “If you're driving, it's your job to know the speed limit.”

  Quote: “If you're driving, it's your job to know. And that's why the Catechism quotes Gaudium et Spes and says, this is the case. You know, it's our fault if I'm ignorant and it's my fault.” ([06:07])

• Examples of faulted ignorance:

  • Not bothering to learn what’s right and good
  • Being numbed or blinded by habitual sin

• Habitual Sin: Fr. Mike quotes a preacher:

  • “Sin doesn't prick your conscience. Sin deadens your conscience. God is the one who helps us see... Sin blinds, deafens and numbs our conscience.” ([09:45])

3. Sources of Erroneous Judgment ([07:25]–[10:20])

• Catechism lists sources of error (par. 1792):

  • Ignorance of Christ and His Gospel
  • Bad example by others
  • Enslavement to passions
  • Mistaken autonomy of conscience (“I don’t need guidance, I can figure it out myself.”)
  • Rejection of the Church’s authority
  • Lack of conversion and charity

  Quote: “Maybe I know the good. I know the true, I know the beautiful. I just don’t care. I have a lack of love. And therefore, yeah, this is at the source of maybe my error of judgment and moral conduct.” ([10:08])

4. Invincible Ignorance and Guilt ([10:20]–[12:30])

• If ignorance is “invincible” (cannot be overcome), or there’s no personal responsibility, the evil committed isn’t their fault—though the act remains evil.

  Quote: “There are times where our ignorance is invincible... So my ignorance is what they call invincible. Or, you know, I'm not responsible for my erroneous judgment for whatever reason.” ([10:40])

• Still, everyone must work to correct errors and form their conscience.

5. Virtue, Freedom, and Formation ([12:30]–[15:50])

• The call to form our conscience is not a straitjacket but an invitation to freedom.

• Virtue = Freedom: Being able to do what we ought gives us true freedom.

• If we’re strong enough to do what we know is right, “you wouldn’t be afraid... you would have joy.”

  Quote: “To have a formed conscience is an invitation to be free, to be strong, to be courageous, to be powerful in this world... Remember, virtue is a call, an invitation to be free.” ([13:30])

• Conscience formation is ongoing and necessary for all.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On habitual sin and conscience:
  “Sin doesn't prick your conscience. Sin deadens your conscience... God is the one who helps us see. God is the one who helps us hear. God is the one who wakens us up.” (Fr. Mike, [09:45])

• On the necessity of seeking truth:
  “If I've taken little trouble to find out what is true and good, or when by degrees, my conscience is almost blinded to the habit of committing sin, then I'm culpable for the evil I commit because it was my job to know.” (Fr. Mike, [08:15])

• On virtue and freedom:
  “Imagine your life like this. If you had the power to do what you ought, how incredibly free you would feel.” (Fr. Mike, [14:22])

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:20] — The absolute obligation to follow a certain conscience
• [06:07] — Example of personal responsibility for knowledge (driving)
• [09:45] — How habitual sin deadens conscience
• [10:08] — The root of erroneous judgment: lack of love
• [10:40] — Invincible ignorance and non-imputability of guilt
• [13:30] — Virtue as true freedom, not a straitjacket
• [14:22] — The joy that comes from having formed conscience and the power to do what we ought

Episode Flow & Tone

Fr. Mike brings an encouraging, urgent, and sometimes gently challenging tone:

• Reminds listeners not just of obligations, but of the beauty, freedom, and strength that come from forming their conscience and living in truth.
• Uses relatable, down-to-earth analogies and examples (speed limits, daily life questions, the influence of community and culture).
• Ends with a forward-looking invitation to the next episode (“tomorrow we’re going to talk about the virtues... you guys, I’m telling you right now, you’re going to love it”).

Summary

This episode offers a clear and compelling explanation of Catholic teaching on conscience and erroneous judgment. Fr. Mike weaves together doctrine, practical examples, and personal reflection, reminding listeners that following conscience is a duty, but forming it is a lifelong necessity—serving not only as a safeguard from error but as an entry into the freedom, strength, and joy that God desires for each individual. The next episode will begin the study of virtues, further exploring how conscience and character are shaped.