Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 457.
(Youcat
answer - repeated) Communicating truth must be done prudently within the
context of charity. Often the truth is wielded as a weapon and thus has a
destructive rather than a constructive effect.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 2488)
The right to the communication of the
truth is not unconditional. Everyone must conform his life to the Gospel
precept of fraternal love. This requires us in concrete situations to judge
whether or not it is appropriate to reveal the truth to someone who asks for
it. (CCC 2489) Charity and respect for the truth should dictate the response to
every request for information or
communication. The good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the
common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not be
known or for making use of a discreet language. The duty to avoid scandal often
commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who
does not have the right to know it (Cf. Sir 27:16; Prov 25:9-10).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) When conveying information, we should think
of the “three sieves” of Socrates: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it helpful?
Discretion is called for also in dealing with professional secrets. They should
always be kept, except in special cases defined by strict criteria. Likewise,
anyone who publicizes confidential communications that were made under the seal
of secrecy commits a sin. Everything we say must be true, but we need not say
everything that is true.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 2491) Professional secrets - for example,
those of political office holders, soldiers, physicians, and lawyers - or
confidential information given under the seal of secrecy must be kept, save in
exceptional cases where keeping the secret is bound to cause very grave harm to
the one who confided it, to the one who received it or to a third party, and
where the very grave harm can be avoided only by divulging the truth. Even if
not confided under the seal of secrecy, private information prejudicial to
another is not to be divulged without a grave and proportionate reason.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment