Morals of the Church
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Section — Wouters, Manual of Moral Theology

III. On the Use of the Moral System

237.

I. With regard to ourselves, in itself it is better to follow the safer opinion. I said "in itself," because accidentally the contrary must sometimes be advised, for instance, so that scruples may be forestalled.

II. With regard to penitents. 1. Where the confessor, in view of the system which he embraces, practically holds something as licit, he does not impose the safer part, but at most recommends it, namely if the penitents show themselves prepared to follow safer things. Yet observe that sometimes an action licit in itself or sufficiently probably licit is illicit in view of the proximate danger of sinning which it creates for the penitent; this must be attended to especially if there is question of slippery matters (cf. St. Alphonsus, I, 83; V, 63; II, 456, 605; Praxis conf., 69, 114, 192; Homo Apostolicus, appendix IV, n. XXI).

  1. Where the confessor, in view of the system which is approved by him, practically holds something as illicit, one must act thus:

a) If the penitent is unlearned and cannot form his own conscience, the confessor should teach his own opinion or impose upon him that which he himself, namely the confessor, holds as practically prescribed. The reason is that the confessor must teach a penitent of this sort that practical norm of acting which he holds as true, and not that which he judges to be false (St. Alphonsus, Homo Apostolicus, tr. 16, n. 118). The confessor indeed is not a judge of controversies, as they say; but this does not prevent him, with respect to a penitent who cannot form his own conscience, from being regarded as in the likeness of a judge who practically settles the controversy.

b) If the penitent is learned and in doubt can form his own conscience, the confessor should absolve him, unless he holds the penitent's opinion as improbable (St. Alphonsus, I, 83; III, 669; VI, 604; Homo Apostolicus, tr. 16, nn. 118, 119).

III. With regard to public direction. In catechism and in sermons the disputes of theologians should be omitted, and only those opinions should be presented which practically are admitted by all, or at least sufficiently commonly. In doubt one should proceed by recommending rather than by obliging (St. Alphonsus, II, 55; Institutio... in praecepta Decalogi et sacramenta, preface, nn. 2-4). Yet in scientific expositions before educated laypeople, it can also be indicated what it is licit for a person to do in doubt.

The Use of the Moral System