Moral Question On The Vow Of Obedience

[Eumeia]

If a Superior were to tell a religious to do something sinful, under the vow of obedience would it have to be obeyed, and would the religious be culpable? Would it be sinfully breaking the vow of obedience to disobey in fear of commiting sin? Does this all relate only to grave matters? I hope my question is clear. These are the two quotes that made me wonder about this, found in The True Spouse of Jesus Christ by St. Alphonsus.


St. Bernard, this doctrine taken from the Rule of St. Benedict:
"Whatever a man holding the place of God commands, unless it be certain that it is displeasing to God, is to be received as if commanded by God Himself."

Our Lord to St. Catherine of Siena:
"Religious will not be obliged to render an account to me of the actions performed through obedience. For these the Superiors only, who commanded them, shall be held accountable."

Then St. Alphonsus goes on to say, "If you practice obedience, when after death you shall be asked by Jesus Christ why you have not done greater penance, why you have not made more mental prayer, or why you have performed such an action, you can answer with confidence, that in all this you only fulfilled his commands by obeying your Superiors, whom he commanded you to obey as you would obey Himself; and that if you have done wrong, the blame is immutable to your Superiors, whose authority you obeyed."

[Theoketos]

Even considering the fourth commandment, even as it applies to all legit authorities, one is NEVER OBLIGED TO DO EVIL.