Fraternal correction--when and to what extent

[90Domer]

I was listening to a talk show on the Sirius XM on the topic of fraternal correction. It got me thinking of the following questions:

Are faithful Catholics obligated to charitably point out fellow to Catholics when their words/actions may put their soul in danger? Or should we simply focus on our own sins and mind our own business?

If we are obligated, to what extent are we to employ fraternal correction? Is once enough if we encounter someone quite set in his/her ways?

I wish I caught the whole show, as this is a topic I struggle with greatly. The consensus of the callers was that fraternal correction was an obligation.

Thank you for reading, and I would love to hear thoughts.

 

[Sirach2]

Here are the conditions for fraternal correction as found in Third Spiritual Alphabet by Francisco de Osuna, pg. 588. It is the best one I have found on this subject. I pray it will help you.

The first is certain knowledge of the sin; do not correct on the basis of mere suspicion.

The second is meekness in correcting; if we threaten angrily, we will provoke the person we discipline and cause him to commit further sin.

The third condition is that there be no one else more suitable for correcting. If some who are as good or better than I see the sinner or if they are his superiors or are more familiar with them, I can probably assume and believe that one of them will discipline him. However if it were certain they would not, then I would be bound to correct him, provided the other five conditions were simultaneously present.

The fourth is that there must be hope that my counsel will correct him. If this hope is not present, I should not discipline him.

The fifth condition is that his sin be mortal, not venial.

The sixth is that there does not appear to be a better time or place for discipline than when I see him sin or when I choose to correct him.

Though it is difficult to meet any one of the six conditions, the most troublesome is that of discerning whether or not the sin is mortal. If we cannot determine the seriousness of the sin, let us place our finger to the mouth, sealing our lips, so we will not admit evil in our effort to do good or destroy instead of building up.

 

[90Domer]

Here are the conditions for fraternal correction as found in Third Spiritual Alphabet by Francisco de Osuna, pg. 588. It is the best one I have found on this subject. I pray it will help you.

The first is certain knowledge of the sin; do not correct on the basis of mere suspicion.

The second is meekness in correcting; if we threaten angrily, we will provoke the person we discipline and cause him to commit further sin.

The third condition is that there be no one else more suitable for correcting. If some who are as good or better than I see the sinner or if they are his superiors or are more familiar with them, I can probably assume and believe that one of them will discipline him. However if it were certain they would not, then I would be bound to correct him, provided the other five conditions were simultaneously present.

The fourth is that there must be hope that my counsel will correct him. If this hope is not present, I should not discipline him.

The fifth condition is that his sin be mortal, not venial.

The sixth is that there does not appear to be a better time or place for discipline than when I see him sin or when I choose to correct him.

Though it is difficult to meet any one of the six conditions, the most troublesome is that of discerning whether or not the sin is mortal. If we cannot determine the seriousness of the sin, let us place our finger to the mouth, sealing our lips, so we will not admit evil in our effort to do good or destroy instead of building up.

This is fantastic! Thank you so very much! God bless and Happy Easter!

 

[tammany]

You can’t magine how much this helped me with a situation that I had been strugglng with.
I am going to print this to keep. Thank you and God bless.

 

[benjohnson]

Are faithful Catholics obligated to charitably point out fellow to Catholics when their words/actions may put their soul in danger?

If I did something that puts my soul in danger, I would be ever thankful if you told me.