MSW missed the point.  In his desire to try to impress, he just obfuscated what need not be fancy talk. 

The conscience is an act or work of the intellect.

The intellect uses "criteria" to generate moral tests and comparisons.

If individuals come up with their own criteria, there will be chaos, as relativism will rule the day.  Abortion is ok, abortion is not ok.  Adultery is ok, not ok. 

The criteria MUST come external to the person.    

The Church is where Catholics get criteria from.

And it's a life time work to keep the Conscience well operating and tuned up. 

Instead of using his article space to teach a bit...MSW used it to slam conservatives and then noisily bring in some nonsense from some BC prof.