Should a priest use foul language?

[Topaz1128]

I was in a book critique group at a Catholic Church, and the priest (the moderator) was using cuss words in his chit-chat. Given, it was an informal discussion in a book circle, but he really turned me off. He used the “s” word several times as if it were nothing.

Am I being too “evangelical” or is this a legitimate concern? Thank you.

 

[shondrea]

Well…there’s nothing inherintly sinful about swearing, but it’s certainly not the most polite way of conversing. But, priests are human, afterall. I know when I get going in a long rant things slip out from force of (bad) habit

 

[LegoGE1947]

Well…there’s nothing inherintly sinful about swearing, but it’s certainly not the most polite way of conversing. But, priests are human, afterall. I know when I get going in a long rant things slip out from force of (bad) habit

I was going to confession a few weeks ago and the priest used the “s” word.

 

[elizabeth_anne_1]

No Christian should use foul language…

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.” Eph 4:28

“…Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” Matt 12:34-37

Then there is the long passage in James 3…

We should all strive to have speech that lifts up, praises God, helps neighbor, honors others…etc. That being said, it can be a process to change our speech, but it is worth doing lest we cause scandal.

 

[Topaz1128]

No Christian should use foul language…

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.” Eph 4:28

“…Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” Matt 12:34-37

Then there is the long passage in James 3…

We should all strive to have speech that lifts up, praises God, helps neighbor, honors others…etc. That being said, it can be a process to change our speech, but it is worth doing lest we cause scandal.

I tend to agree with you, Elizabeth Anne. When I was going to Protestant churches, no one dared use language like that around other Christians.

Like Robert DeNiro’s priest character in Sleepers, it just doesn’t SEEM right for a priest or minister to cuss (or smoke). What does everyone else think?

 

[jimcav]

I’m a construction worker and unfortunately cursing is as normal on the job as breathing. For most of my career, I thought nothing of it, it was just part of my day. But as my faith grew and my faith matured, I began to see it as a real problem. I mean, how could people see holiness in me if they heard me talk like that? How could I evangelise? And most importantly, how could I walk like Him if I used foul language to communicate?

So last Lent I gave up cursing. I did OK, but I slipped to often and when Lent was over, my old habits came back. I failed. This Lent, having matured another year in my faith, I have tried again and Blessed be God, I am doing great and I know that God is going to see me through this time!

Not to make excuses, but the rough and tumble nature of my industry led me and most of the others to cursing. What would lead a highly educated priest to curse, I don’t really know, so IMHO, a priest should never curse. Maybe a slip, maybe, but never in general conversation. He must be held to a higher standard, because he is our faith leader and like the OP felt, this can be a big turnoff.

Hey, if I can clean up my act, than certainly a priest should be able to!

 

[LilyM]

I tend to agree with you, Elizabeth Anne. When I was going to Protestant churches, no one dared use language like that around other Christians.

Like Robert DeNiro’s priest character in Sleepers, it just doesn’t SEEM right for a priest or minister to cuss (or smoke). What does everyone else think?

Smoking? Yes, it’s bad for your health, and I think enough people know that and smoke anyway by now that it is sinful for them.

But then priests sin, like the rest of us, and in other ways too - overeat to the point of gluttony, drink too much, drive recklessly (some of the worst drivers I’ve known have been priests, for some reason).

We need to tread lightly and pray much for our sinning priests rather than judge them too harshly. Especially with smoking, as tobacco is notoriously addictive and difficult to quit.

Swearing, in my experience, is one of the easier vices to give up. But perhaps it’s because I didn’t swear a real lot to begin with.

 

[Rascalking]

Smoking is night and day different than foul language. I find cigarettes gross and unhealthy, but not offensive. I find foul language offensive.

A priest needs to be a role model in morality. We’re all human, but priests should avoid swearing. Very much so.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Smoking is night and day different than foul language. I find cigarettes gross and unhealthy, but not offensive. I find foul language offensive.

A priest needs to be a role model in morality. We’re all human, but priests should avoid swearing. Very much so.

I think it is okay for chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, etc to use fowl language, however

 

[Rascalking]

I think it is okay for chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, etc to use fowl language, however

:clapping: Bravo!

I laughted like heck at this one!

Very funny!

 

[Monica4316]

I was in a book critique group at a Catholic Church, and the priest (the moderator) was using cuss words in his chit-chat. Given, it was an informal discussion in a book circle, but he really turned me off. He used the “s” word several times as if it were nothing.

Am I being too “evangelical” or is this a legitimate concern? Thank you.

I don’t think it’s ‘evangelical’ to be against cuss words… the Catholic teaching is against this too. I personally can’t stand swearing. I’m constantly surrounded by people who swear (at my university). My priest doesn’t swear but if he did I would be upset too. I think there’s nothing wrong with your reaction. Also… I’m not at all saying that you’re judging the priest… but in case you get tempted to, try to not judge him and just say a prayer for him.

God bless

 

[Monica4316]

Well…there’s nothing inherintly sinful about swearing, but it’s certainly not the most polite way of conversing. But, priests are human, afterall. I know when I get going in a long rant things slip out from force of (bad) habit

I agree that priests are human and we shouldn’t judge them but I disagree that there’s nothing inherently sinful in swearing. Can you imagine using this kind of language in Heaven? If you wouldn’t say those words in front of God, it is inherently sinful. It also damages the soul over time (if the person doesn’t at least TRY to stop). I can’t imagine the Saints swearing either… so I don’t think it’s as harmless as people say.

 

[Monica4316]

I’m a construction worker and unfortunately cursing is as normal on the job as breathing. For most of my career, I thought nothing of it, it was just part of my day. But as my faith grew and my faith matured, I began to see it as a real problem. I mean, how could people see holiness in me if they heard me talk like that? How could I evangelise? And most importantly, how could I walk like Him if I used foul language to communicate?

So last Lent I gave up cursing. I did OK, but I slipped to often and when Lent was over, my old habits came back. I failed. This Lent, having matured another year in my faith, I have tried again and Blessed be God, I am doing great and I know that God is going to see me through this time!

Not to make excuses, but the rough and tumble nature of my industry led me and most of the others to cursing. What would lead a highly educated priest to curse, I don’t really know, so IMHO, a priest should never curse. Maybe a slip, maybe, but never in general conversation. He must be held to a higher standard, because he is our faith leader and like the OP felt, this can be a big turnoff.

Hey, if I can clean up my act, than certainly a priest should be able to!

awesome! good for you.
I used to curse too when I was in high school, but I stopped as I came closer to God. It can be more difficult to stop for those who developed a real habit of it. But as your post shows, it’s possible

God bless

 

[Monica4316]

I think also sometimes people don’t realize how cursing can affect others around them. For example, it really affects me. Maybe there are more people in my situation so I’m going to say this…when others around me use swear words, it’s very difficult for me to forget them and they turn into a temptation. They repeat over and over in my mind and even get attributed to God or loved ones. I’ve been battling this for over a month and eventually it became a real spiritual trial. Also some people struggle with OCD, and if curse words is something that stresses them out, hearing people say them might have the same effect. If anyone thinks that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with swearing, - please consider how it might affect others.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Smoking? Yes, it’s bad for your health, and I think enough people know that and smoke anyway by now that it is sinful for them.

But then priests sin, like the rest of us, and in other ways too - overeat to the point of gluttony, drink too much, drive recklessly (some of the worst drivers I’ve known have been priests, for some reason).

We need to tread lightly and pray much for our sinning priests rather than judge them too harshly. Especially with smoking, as tobacco is notoriously addictive and difficult to quit.

Swearing, in my experience, is one of the easier vices to give up. But perhaps it’s because I didn’t swear a real lot to begin with.

I used a broom to sweep some lent out from under the furniture the other day, does that count as having a blessed Lent?

 

[Dorothy]

No Christian should use foul language…

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.” Eph 4:28

“…Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” Matt 12:34-37

Then there is the long passage in James 3…

We should all strive to have speech that lifts up, praises God, helps neighbor, honors others…etc. That being said, it can be a process to change our speech, but it is worth doing lest we cause scandal.

Excellent post! This speaks to all of us, priests and laity.

 

[jmcrae]

I was in a book critique group at a Catholic Church, and the priest (the moderator) was using cuss words in his chit-chat. Given, it was an informal discussion in a book circle, but he really turned me off. He used the “s” word several times as if it were nothing.

Am I being too “evangelical” or is this a legitimate concern? Thank you.

I’d be turned off, too. I hate it when priests and other men of good education try to “relate to the folks.” If I want to hear sailor talk, I’ll talk to a sailor.

 

[Topaz1128]

Smoking? Yes, it’s bad for your health, and I think enough people know that and smoke anyway by now that it is sinful for them.

But then priests sin, like the rest of us, and in other ways too - overeat to the point of gluttony, drink too much, drive recklessly (some of the worst drivers I’ve known have been priests, for some reason).

We need to tread lightly and pray much for our sinning priests rather than judge them too harshly. Especially with smoking, as tobacco is notoriously addictive and difficult to quit.

Swearing, in my experience, is one of the easier vices to give up. But perhaps it’s because I didn’t swear a real lot to begin with.

I’m not judging them too harshly; it just makes me uncomfortable.

Would I be “out of line” to confront the priest lovingly? If anything, maybe I can just tell him that it makes me uncomfortable.

 

[PatriceA]

I don’t think you were treating the priest harshly. It would make me uncomfortable as well. It makes me uncomfortable in any group or interaction if someone must swear. I find I start to tune them out and I’m not longer taking what they say with any consideration. I know that sometimes an occasional swear word slips out, but usually it seems more warrented with the situation takes us by surprise or shock and we’re at a loss of words to respond. But a casual conversation, and the person can’t use more appropriate words to get their point across? I start to lose respect.

 

[Dorothy]

I’m not judging them too harshly; it just makes me uncomfortable.

Would I be “out of line” to confront the priest lovingly? If anything, maybe I can just tell him that it makes me uncomfortable.

I don’t think you would be out of line at all. The Scriptures tell us to correct others; and it is truthful to mention that it makes you uncomfortable.