Gossip - Mortal Sin?

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BrockH

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I have a friend who is always trying to tell me things about other people. I don’t really want to know, but it’s hard to tell him no. Yesterday, he proceeded to tell me that he had some “dirt” on a fellow student. I told him I didn’t want to know, but he was very adamant about telling me. I had a feeling like I wanted to know, but I’m not sure whether or not I went through the three components that make a mortal sin. I looked over at him and he proceeded to tell me that our fellow students is smoking weed down the road from my home in a township parking lot (in the country). I was shocked and worried so I asked a few questions. Do I need to confess?
 
Depends on intention and awareness of the damage being done.

Generally, unless it’s absolutely necessary (such as in a court of law) it should be avoided. If you have an axe to grind, so to speak, find another way to do it.
 
Bring it up at your next confession, perhaps? I interact with a gossip all the time. They can be very difficult to stop. Gossips are usually inaccurate. So what your friend said probably isn’t true. Don’t repeat it. Try “good-mouthing” the subject of the gossip and watch the reaction of your friend. 😉
 
BrockH said:
I looked over at him and he proceeded to tell me that our fellow students is smoking weed down the road from my home in a township parking lot (in the country). I was shocked and worried so I asked a few questions. Do I need to confess?
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Are, not is. There will be a test. 😉

And what did either he or you plan to do with the information? I expect the answer is nothing - which shows how pointless gossip is.

Go to confession. It’s much better to ask a priest if you sinned than a bunch of strangers.
 
I imagine if your intent is to damage the name or reputation of the person being gossiped about, it might fall into grave matter.

ICXC NIKA
 
GEddie said:
I imagine if your intent is to damage the name or reputation of the person being gossiped about, it might fall into grave matter.

ICXC NIKA
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That would be malicious intent, almost always grave matter.
 
OP, from your own reaction you stated, it doesn’t seem like you meant to be malicious. How much you contributed to the conversation, what exactly you said, as well as your intent would all factor in. A priest could help you sort it through in confession if you are troubled by it.
 
BrockH said:
I have a friend who is always trying to tell me things about other people. I don’t really want to know, but it’s hard to tell him no. Yesterday, he proceeded to tell me that he had some “dirt” on a fellow student. I told him I didn’t want to know, but he was very adamant about telling me. I had a feeling like I wanted to know, but I’m not sure whether or not I went through the three components that make a mortal sin. I looked over at him and he proceeded to tell me that our fellow students is smoking weed down the road from my home in a township parking lot (in the country). I was shocked and worried so I asked a few questions. Do I need to confess?
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Bring it up in your next confession and get another friend.
 
Keep in mind that St. Paul puts gossip, murder and adultery in the same sentence.

I have no idea whether the OP committed a mortal sin, or any sin for that matter, but people don’t take gossip seriously in terms of sin.

-Tim-
 
Bring this even to confession and note what happened (without names) - then this event will be in the past …

As for the future it is important to note that there can be grave matters in detraction and venial matter. That is about YOU telling doing the detraction.

(if indeed something is detraction and not rather a legit bringing the matter up for an objectively valid reason - see the CCC)

Now* listening *to detraction is different thing from detraction. I do not mean hearing it - for that is everywhere often - but listening to it. Being actively interested in it.

And there is a big difference between say listening to it out of active interest and out of hatred for the person and giving approval of the grave detraction (an example of something grave)–

----and say some inordinate curiosity (and without malice) or someone basically in a way making you listen to the story. Not good but of the venial order I believe or even no sin as in the later case perhaps.

What can one do? Try to change the subject. Say something good about the person. Tell the person that we should not get into that sort of thing. etc.

Jimmy Akins comments: jimmyakin.com/2006/05/psst_did_you_he.html
 
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