Why certain sins cause scandal

[blaskoman]

what does it mean when scandal is caused by certain sins? I can understand that when certain priests are publicly known as child molestors, this can cause scandal, thereby a certain number of catholic faithful may begin to question their faith, and even leave the Church…What other sins cause scandal?

 

[Nechasin]

A couple that is known to not be married, but living together receiving the sacraments. Granted they may be living as brother and sister, but the situation may cause scandal in the community. People may say so and so are doing it, so I can also.

 

[Joe_5859]

Here’s how the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) defines scandal:

CCC 2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.

Click here to see all the references in the CCC to “scandal”. Some examples include fornication, pornography, prostitution, suicide, and social and economic inequalities. Of course, there are many more!

When your actions can lead people away from the Church, or lead them to believe that sinful activity is not sinful, then this is scandal.