Moral theologian Fr. Thomas Berg and philosopher and therapist Dr. Andrea Messineo take on the topic of personal conscience and parts work through a Catholic lens. We explore the relationships among conscience, parts, the innermost self, the intellect, the will, impulses, and desires. We address concupiscence and parts, and offer specific examples. Join us for a fascinating exploration of conscience and parts.
Check out these other episodes:
https://youtu.be/bw-zUp2h_TA
https://youtu.be/f5MNCaCJLyc
https://youtu.be/Isxmlx8pQAs
Dr. Gerry’s advanced group for Catholic formators: Surviving, Healing, Thriving, and Flourishing - A Path To Greater Integration Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Eastern, starting on March 11, 2026
Fr. Thomas Berg’s books:
Check out Dr. Messineo’s website at andreamessineolpcc.com
Key moments:
16:15 What are the relationships among one's innermost self, one's parts, and one's conscience?
21:25 St. Thomas Aquinas’ emphasis on prudence
23:30 How parts with emotions have a role in a well-formed conscience and the innermost self does not have a “localized omniscience.”
31:30 What are the relationships among parts and the faculties of the intellect and the will?
37:00 Parts are closely connected with impulses and desires, driving agendas
40:00 What about addictions, obsessions, and compulsions?
45:40 Can a person possess a virtue, but parts of that person not have access to that virtue?
56:20 Does the innermost self need any formation from others, or is it complete, as Richard Schwartz maintains?
1:08:00 Causal chains that lead to morally problematic behaviors
1:17:20 What is concupiscence and does it always need to be lodged in a part?
What is Interior Integration for Catholics?
The mission of this podcast is the formation of your heart in love and for love, Together, we shore up the natural, human foundation for your spiritual formation as a Catholic. St. Thomas Aquinas asserts that without this inner unity, without this interior integration, without ordered self-love, you cannot enter loving union with God, your Blessed Mother, or your neighbor. Informed by Internal Family Systems approaches and grounded firmly in a Catholic understanding of the human person, this podcast brings you the best information, the illuminating stories, and the experiential exercises you need to become more whole in the natural realm. This restored human formation then frees you to better live out the three loves in the two Great Commandments – loving God, your neighbor, and yourself. Check out the Resilient Catholics Community which grew up around this podcast at https://www.soulsandhearts.com/rcc.