Fr. Jerry Pokorsky: Anatomy of a Compromised Conscience

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture, Nov 25, 2024

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington who has also served as a financial administrator in the Diocese of Lincoln. Trained in business and accounting, he also holds a Master of Divinity and a Master’s in moral theology. Father Pokorsky co-founded both CREDO and Adoremus, two organizations deeply engaged in authentic liturgical renewal. He writes regularly for a number of Catholic websites and magazines.

We inform our consciences with the truth of Christ. The trial of Jesus includes a detailed depiction of a compromised conscience (cf. Jn. 18:28-40, 19:1-16).

After His arrest, the chief priests bring Jesus before the Roman procurator. Pontius Pilate asks, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” They answer, “If this man were not an evildoer, we would not have handed him over.” The testimony is insufficient for a man trained in Roman justice, and Pilate dismisses the case: “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The chief priests protest: “It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.” (Stoning of adulterers, anyone?)

Lacking honest testimony, Pilate resorts to interrogation. Returning to the praetorium, he asks Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Such a claim directly threatens Roman rule. Jesus responds with a question of his own. “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” ….