set out to focus on particular conscientious deductions which can always be erroneous; his focus is on the immediate voice of conscience which cannot possibly be at variance with the teachings of our Church.
How otherwise can Newman call it the “aboriginal Vicar of Christ” or say the Pope would be “committing an act of suicide if he speaks against it” (Difficulties 2. 248 and 246)? How otherwise would he bother to convert to our Church? The toast, in context, underlines this great point, showing the order of events.
The wisdom of how best to cope with the sin and crime of paedophilia is, of course, nothing to do with this issue; it is quite astonishing that it should be suggested that it is.
Yours faithfully, BRYAN STOREY St Paul the Apostle, Tintagel, Cornwall