050274 Vatican Warns Against Disregarding Doctrine

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Vatican Radio, in an editorial comment, declared that Catholics may not, "in virtue of freedom of conscience," go against the teaching of the Church's Magisterium (teaching authority) in matters of faith and morals.

The comment followed recent announcements by groups of Italian Catholics that they would vote in favor of retention of the country's three-year-old divorce law in the May 12 referendum on repeal of the statute.

Describing "freedom of conscience" as "nothing other than freedom to recognize the order desired by God and to adapt one's conduct to it," the radio insisted that freedom of conscience "does not signify freedom to act in contrast to true and sound moral doctrine."

"In consequence," it explained, "to act according to one's conscience - for a Catholic - cannot signify acting and taking options which are contrary to thE Magisterium of the bishops and the Church in matters of faith and morals."

"The Church," it said, "by God's desire is the one authentic interpreter of revealed truth and of the moral order intended by Him.

"Whoever maintains that. Catholics, by virtue of freedom of conscience, can make moral choices in contrast to the teaching and directives of the Church is fostering a false claim. "

Sharply criticizing the Catholics who announced their intention of voting in favor of divorce, the broadcast editorial said the position of these Catholics was "all the more responsible, because their bishops have given a clear lead on the issue."

It recalled that earlier, the Italian Bishops' Conference had reaffirmed the Church's "firm stand on the indissolubility of marriage" and had called on the country's Catholics to vote in favor of abrogation of the divorce law.