For a long time we have been told that “conscience” is paramount on many issues, particularly sexual, and we have been also told to relate to “the other” and “the periphery” and to “accompany”, and that the Eucharist should not be politicized. However, we now have a situation where conscience is deeply subordinated and government policy gives the regulatory space for distribution of the sacraments.
Ven. Suzanne’s threadbare habit and Damien’s gloves show that health and safety was never an issue for these saints that make up the heroic Catholic story we like to tell about ourselves in homilies and Mission Statements. We should be careful as stewards and leaders how firmly we tread on conscience and heroic folly from the prudent elevation of the bureaucratic pale. If the concept of conscience and heroic folly is too alienated then those saints with the same stroppy streak are in danger of been as relevant to us as marvel-comic-book characters.