When does someone have a right to the truth?

[Carlton1993]

I understand that it is only a mortal sin to lie to somebody if they have a right to the truth, the example in another forum is… If someone calls and the person they are calling for doesn’t want to talk, and you say ‘they are busy right now,’ you have not commited a sin by lying, as the caller has no right to know what the person is doing. So when does someone have a right to know something, and how do we discern whether or not they have a right to the truth?

Thank you, carlton1993

 

[mommyof4]

Interesting question. Here is what I found in the Catechism:

IV. RESPECT FOR THE TRUTH

2488** The right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional. **Everyone must conform his life to the Gospel precept of fraternal love. This requires us in concrete situations to judge whether or not it is appropriate to reveal the truth to someone who asks for it.

2489 Charity and respect for the truth should dictate the response to every request for information or communication.** The good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not be known or for making use of a discreet language. The duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it.283
**
2490 The secret of the sacrament of reconciliation is sacred, and cannot be violated under any pretext. "The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore, it is a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by word or in any other manner or for any reason."284

2491 **Professional secrets **- for example, those of political office holders, soldiers, physicians, and lawyers - or confidential information given under the seal of secrecy must be kept, save in exceptional cases where keeping the secret is bound to cause very grave harm to the one who confided it, to the one who received it or to a third party, and where the very grave harm can be avoided only by divulging the truth. Even if not confided under the seal of secrecy, private information prejudicial to another is not to be divulged without a grave and proportionate reason.

2492 Everyone should observe an appropriate reserve concerning persons’ private lives. Those in charge of communications should maintain a fair balance between the requirements of the common good and respect for individual rights. Interference by the media in the private lives of persons engaged in political or public activity is to be condemned to the extent that it infringes upon their privacy and freedom.

 

[Em_in_FL]

1. You don’t HAVE to answer the phone, that’s what voicemail is for.
2. Tell the truth… you don’t HAVE to lie…
   “I’m sorry, Bob can’t take your call right now. Can I take a message?”…

 

[Woodstock]

So when does someone have a right to know something, and how do we discern whether or not they have a right to the truth?

When that someone is your non-abusive spouse and you know something he or she does not that he or she would want to know should he or she know you know it. Exceptions only for professional confidences such as those told to a priest, counselor, military contractor, lawyer, doctor, etc.

 

[PeteZaHut]

From my understanding, lying is only a mortal sin if it causes serious harm or is about a serious issue, even if the person had a right to know the truth.

For example, when you ate a cookie from the kitchen when you weren’t supposed to, and your mother asks who ate the cookie (she has a right to know the truth, because she made the cookies), that wouldn’t be a very serious sin because it just isn’t a serious matter. Although, it is still wrong and the best thing to do is just fess up.

 

[JimG]

When does someone have a right to the truth?

Not nearly as often as they might think.

 

[Mirdath]

I don’t see it as being about the other person’s right to the truth: do you have a right to deceive?

No, you don’t. Sometimes deception is the best course of action, but that doesn’t make it moral.