America’s Conscience Means More Than Slavish Obedience to a Leader

Words of a German theologian during World War II echo today as U.S. president aggressively expands his executive power.

Bonhoeffer’s understanding of conscience inspires heroic action: People really can do the most dangerous and noble things — a good reminder in our low, dishonest times.

And Bonhoeffer’s understanding of conscience is inspired by religion not to protect religion but to turn religion in service to the concrete, suffering world in which Christ is present in all.

David DeCosse, director, religious and catholic ethics, published by The Mercury News.