Which statement about human free will is affirmed in Catholic teaching?

• A. Humans have no real freedom.
• B. Humans have free will.
• C. Freedom is an illusion controlled by fate.
• D. Freedom is guaranteed by social status.

Answer: (B)

Catholic teaching affirms that humans have real free will. God created people with intellect and will, giving us the genuine ability to choose between good and evil. This capacity means we are morally responsible for our choices. Grace works with our freedom—not by forcing us to choose a certain way, but by helping us incline toward the good when we cooperate with it. Free will remains, even after sin, though sin can cloud or weaken our ability to choose rightly. It isn’t guaranteed by birth or social status, and it isn’t something that fate controls for us. Therefore, the statement that humans have free will best captures Catholic understanding.