A good conscience requires lifelong formation. Each baptized follower of Christ is obliged to form his or her conscience according to objective moral standards. The Word of God is a principal tool in the formation of conscience when it is assimilated by study, prayer, and practice. The prudent advice and good example of others support and enlighten our conscience. The authoritative teaching of the Church is an essential element in our conscience formation. Finally, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, combined with regular examination of our conscience, will help us develop a morally sensitive conscience.
Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, 2014.
Moral conscience does not determine what is right or wrong. Conscience can only tell people whether they are intending to do what they believe to be right or wrong.
The Daily Examen is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern his direction for us. The Examen is an ancient practice in the Church that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience.
This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.
1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.
If your conscience is based on love, faith, and hope (which includes faith in the teachings of Tradition, Scripture, Magisterium), then your sincere reasonable decisions on what is moral in particular circumstances are in good conscience, and are without actual sin.
If your conscience includes some limited degree of insincerity, or some limited degree of negligence in seeking moral truth, then your moral decisions might not be entirely in good conscience.
If your conscience includes a substantial degree of insincerity, or if you substantially ignore or reject the search for moral truth in any grave matter, then your moral decisions are not in good conscience.
The Catechism of Catholic Ethics
THE GOLDEN RULE
http://goldenageofgaia.com/spiritual-essays/cross-cultural-spirituality/the-golden-rule-in-all-religions/
The “ends justifying the means” usually involves doing something wrong to achieve a positive end and justifying the wrongdoing by pointing to a good outcome. An example would be lying on a resume to get a good job and justifying the lie by saying the larger income will enable the liar to provide more adequately for his family. Another might be justifying the abortion of a baby to save the life of the mother. Lying and taking an innocent life are both morally wrong, but providing for one’s family and saving the life of a woman are morally right. Where, then, does one draw the line?
Go Questions Ministries, 2016.