It is detraction to mention a deceased person's temptations?

[Prodigal_Son]

It seems to me that the very task of hagiography is to make the saints relatable to us – to help us know how we could be saints too. In that context, it would seem that any information pertaining to the temptations of saints would be helpful. We would be able to see how they were like us, so that we can imitate them in their holy responses to temptation.

From another perspective, though, there does seem to be something wrong in publicly declaring the temptations of people who are alive – at least in certain contexts. If you friend says, “I thought a long time about having an abortion”, you really shouldn’t repeat that to just anyone. I’m not sure if we would call this detraction (since temptation is not sin), but it seems related.

Anyway, what do you think? Is it somehow wrong to talk about the temptations of saints? And if so, how can we ever learn (from the inside) that we ourselves can be saints?

 

[edward_george1]

If it wasn’t wrong to talk about the temptations of Jesus in the inspired word of God found in the Gospels, then certainly it wouldn’t be wrong to talk about the temptations of the saints. As you point out, it’s helpful for us to hear about it.

Temptation isn’t sin. We’re not guilty of sin if we are tempted. Again, Jesus was tempted. Maybe you need to read up a bit on what detraction actually is.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[Prodigal_Son]

Temptation isn’t sin. We’re not guilty of sin if we are tempted. Again, Jesus was tempted. Maybe you need to read up a bit on what detraction actually is.

Yes, this would be my own view, too. But you will find a lot of Catholics who vociferously accuse people of saying slanderous/detracting things when those people have said that there is evidence a saint was tempted toward homosexual activity. To be honest, it’s that sort of case that made me start this topic.

 

[angel12]

Yes, this would be my own view, too. But you will find a lot of Catholics who vociferously accuse people of saying slanderous/detracting things when those people have said that there is evidence a saint was tempted toward homosexual activity. To be honest, it’s that sort of case that made me start this topic.

I’ve seen that here, probably the same place you did.
Personally, I take that as more a reflection of their own fears/biases than a statement on the moral issue of detraction. How it would be detraction to say “this person had a temptation that they successfully resisted” is beyond me. We need the examples of those who resist sin, we need the encouragement that it’s possible to succeed against temptation.