Page 21 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 10

Christian Psychology

Comment to Romuald Jaworski

“Conscience and faith in Poland, dr. hab.,
psychologist, psy-
Christian counselling chotherapist, su-
pervisor, catholic
practice” priest, professor
at the Cardinal
Stefan Wyszynski
University in War-
Conscience and faith reinforce each other mu- saw, president of
tually in counselling and psychotherapy the Association of
In his interesting article, Roland Mahler deli- Christian Psychologists (ACP) in Poland. He
neates a range of important themes from diffe- is the author of several books and articles in
rent perspectives: the field of psychology of religion and pasto-
ral psychology.
1. The nature of the conscience and its role in
the life of man (the perspective of existential Former articles by Romuald you can see here:
philosophy) http://emcapp.ignis.de/1/#/34
http://emcapp.ignis.de/1/#/46
2. The significance of religious faith in the acti-
vity of the conscience (the theological perspec-
tive)

3. The function of the conscience and its con- presence of the divine breath, of divine inspira-
nection with faith in pastoral care and in giving tion (inspiro – i.e. infusion, ignite) – and in the
form to spirituality (the pastoral perspective). human body the conscience comes into being.

From the philosophical point of view, the func- The conscience is a quite special gift of this im-
tionality of conscience relates to the imparting parting of breath. It shows itself (becomes pre-
of values (cognitive aspect) and their evaluation sent) in the decisions and actions of the will.
(emotional aspect). The results of this evaluati- Conscience enables the assessment of moral
on are emotional states (feelings of obligation, activity, whether internally (thoughts, intenti-
guilt, remorse, pride, contentment). ons, wishes, desires) or externally (words and
deeds).
Conscience enables the assessment of one’s own From the point of view of salvation, the cons-
activity with reference to values: good, truth, cience functions through the presence of the
beauty, love, life. As a result of the assessment, Holy Spirit. Jesus said that he will send the Holy
there arise responsibility for oneself and a rela- Spirit, who “convinces the world of sin, of righ-
tionship with God, with other persons and with teousness and of judgement. Of sin, because
the world. Experiences of discrepancy lead us they do not believe in me; of righteousness, be-
to seek forgiveness and grace. Faith is a reaction cause I go to my father, where you can no longer
to this deep need. see me; finally, of the highest court, because the
ruler of this world is judged” (Jn 16: 7-11).
From the point of view of religion, conscience
can be analysed with regard to a theology of The interpretation of the conscience in connec-
creation or a theology of salvation. Looking at tion with the mystery of salvation gives new
creation makes it possible to see the truth about depth and quality. It is not only linked to na-
God’s presence in us, about the Holy Spirit in ture, but is also a look at sin through faith and
man. When God created man, he breathed through the grace experienced. I find Peter
breath into him. It depends precisely on the

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