text: Burke is not merely asking a question; Francis is not refusing to answer. Burke is trying to undermine the teaching of AL; the pope isn't biting.
  A Catholic (or anyone) not only may but must follow the judgement of her/his conscience (cf. CCC 1790) even if, objectively, the judgment is wrong. Conscience formation is a serious obligation and while Catholics consult the teaching of the church, they cannot reduce conscience to conforming behavior to church teaching, especially if they have concluded that the teaching is wrong, as most Catholics have with respect to issues like birth control, masturbation, and homosexuality.
  I apologize for allowing you to draw me into a discussion about who goes to hell for what. I admit that I hurled the first volley in pointing out the lunacy of the teaching about masturbation. I really don't think, as I said earlier in thread, that anyone takes this seriously; but I'm aware that someone might be reading who could be harmed by what you write.