In the depths of one's conscience, each detects a law which we do not impose upon ourselves, but which we must obey. . . For each one has in their heart a law written by God; to obey it is one's very dignity; according to it each one will be judged. Conscience is the most secret core and sanctuary of a person, where each is alone with God, Whose voice echoes in our depths. (Vatican II, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 16)

A: Often enough, it is not the teaching itself but the manner of its expression which causes the difficulty. So the mere fact of disagreement does not make one a "bad Catholic."

We do not believe in formulas, but in those realities they express, which faith allows us to touch. "The believer's act [of faith] does not terminate in the propositions, but in the realities [which they express]." All the same, we do approach these realities with the help of formulations of faith which permit us to express the faith and to hand it on, to celebrate it in community, to assimilate it and to live on it more and more. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 170; the quotation is from St. Thomas Aquinas)

A. The Council recognizes that working towards more profound and precise expressions of Church teaching is necessary.

The way and method in which the Catholic faith is expressed should never become an obstacle to dialogue with our separated sister and brother Christians. It is, of course, essential that the doctrine should be clearly presented in its entirety. . . At the same time, the Catholic faith must be explained more profoundly and precisely, in such a way and in such terms as they can also really understand. (Vatican II, Decree on Ecumenism, 11)

The Roman Pontiff and the bishops, in view of their office and the importance of the matter, by fitting means diligently strive to inquire properly into that revelation and to give apt expression to its contents. (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 25; emphasis added)

A. So one can be a good Catholic and yet disagree with the Pope.

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