Is it ok to tell someone when they are in error in the moral life?

[Horton]

I have been corrected on one occasion from another parishioner and I did not give him a fat lip because he was over 70yo and so sweet in the way he did it that I got the message but left with that same feeling when your Dad has corrected you and you know he is doing it because he cares about you.

We are called to correct one another from a place of love. It will only get me a fat lip or cold treatment if the delivery is all wrong. It’s a learned skill, Priests are blessed with it, whether they learn it at seminary I don’t know. Practicing receiving it and giving it actually improves our communication skills.

I look at it this way, I don’t want to be standing on Judgment Day and Jesus asks me why I didn’t you step up and speak to Bob when I knew he was cheating on his wife. ““um…ah…it was because I didn’t want to get a fat lip””.

I deny knowing Jesus and participate in/implicitly approve of the sin by looking the other way and/or keeping silent.

When people sin, their sins affect everyone, themselves, their family, friends, parish, those who know and the entire Church body.

 

[Louman127]

Do you really believe that in the past it was okay to say to someone, “you’re going to Hell.”

It wasn’t okay before, it isn’t okay now.

Fraternal correction doesn’t mean walking around telling people that they are condemned to Hell.

Maryjk it is not okay to say to someone “You’re going to hell for this!” That would be judgemental and counterproductive.

But if I make a correctiom to someone else’s errored behavior in a loving, charitable, objective way and they want to give me a fat lip for it. Well I know that is a real possibility. So the advice of Jesus in this instance is in Luke 6:29 “To anyone who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek as well; to anyone who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic.”

 

[maryjk]

Should I tell him that I don’t know his situation so I can’t say something like “Your going to hell for this!” But objectively speaking in the objective order his actions are errored?

Thanks

Louman127

Should you tell him, "I don’t know your situation, so I can’t say you are going to Hell, but objectively speaking . . . . . . "

That, no matter what, will probably get you a fat lip.

 

[Louman127]

Should you tell him, "I don’t know your situation, so I can’t say you are going to Hell, but objectively speaking . . . . . . "

That, no matter what, will probably get you a fat lip.

No, but I understand why you misinterpreted what I said because of the way that I wrote it. Because I did write “should I say” right before, which was an error in articulation on my part and I should have worded that area better. That line was to express an internal thought of something I should not say. Then I continued on to what I should say. I was trying to show that saying that was not a good idea and that is what would be considered being judgemental.

 

[HelenRose]

Hey all. Due to recent discussions a hypothetical question popped in my head.

Lets say I have a friend who is Catholic. He knows the faith through and through. He is married and his wife knows the faith through and through as well. They both knew the faith through and through prior to getting married and accepted all its teachings.

Now lets say one day the husband of the marriage decided to gain a girlfriend as well. Based on our faith he would be commiting adultery.

Now am I obligated to say SOMETHING to him? Am I obligated to say NOTHING to him because God alone judges therefore I should keep my mouth shut? Or am I obligated TO DO NOTHING at all whatsoever?

Should I tell him that I don’t know his situation so I can’t say something like “Your going to hell for this!” But objectively speaking in the objective order his actions are errored?

This is hypothetical and not involving any living human being. This is an objective neutral question. Your thoughts and any applicable Doctrine/Dogma would be HIGHLY appreciated.

Thanks

Louman127

Chances are if he is a Catholic, he (or she) knows full well that we he is doing is wrong. If you are not a close friend or close relative - MYB.

If, however, you are a close friend and someone he trusts, you might say words to the effect, “I am aware if what is going on and I want to help you resolve this in a way that does not harm your family.”