523. What is forbidden by the eighth commandment? (part 1)
(Comp 523) The eighth commandment forbids: * false witness, perjury, and lying, the gravity of which is measured by the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims; * rash judgment, slander, defamation and calumny which diminish or destroy the good reputation and honor to which every person has a right; * flattery, adulation, or complaisance, especially if directed to serious sins or toward the achievement of illicit advantages. A sin committed against truth demands reparation if it has caused harm to others.
“In brief”
(CCC 2507) Respect for the
reputation and honor of persons forbids all detraction and calumny in word or
attitude.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2475) Christ's disciples have "put on the new man,
created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (Eph
4:24). By "putting away falsehood," they are to "put away all
malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander" (Eph 4:25;
1 Pet 2:1). (CCC 2476) False witness and
perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes
on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness (Cf. Prov 19:9).
When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to
condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased
punishment of the accused (Cf. Prov 18:5).
Reflection
(CCC 2477) Respect for
the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause
them unjust injury (Cf. CIC, can. 220).
He becomes guilty: - of rash judgment
who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral
fault of a neighbor; - of detraction
who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings
to persons who did not know them (Cf. Sir 21:28); - of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation
of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them. [IT CONTINUES]
No comments:
Post a Comment