This site is best viewed using Mozilla Firefox browser.

Religion

2007-05-01 11:08:00

How can one best explain, it’s a mortal and not the Church?

Answer: Human nature, infected with original sin, is the culprit on both sides. Original sin is the natural inclination to evil, inherited from our original parents. The clergy-person who does something wrong may be ignorant, or mis-informed, or could be deliberately sinful and culpable in a particular situation. Likewise, the person who immediately condemns him/her might be indulging gossip without knowing the full truth, or might be telling lies, or satisfying a grudge against that cleric, or could be reporting the truth. If the offense is sinful, and the person(s) to whom (s)he reports the infraction has no right to that information, then the reporter is guilty of the sin of scandal. In the gospel Jesus warns about spreading scandal: “Woe to that man, through whom scandal happens” (Mt 18:7). When the reporter of gossip attributes to the Church (or the faith community of the offender) that offense committed by an individual cleric, then the reporter is committing the sins of detraction and calumny, which are serious offenses against God: in as much as it harms other members of the Church, members who probably are innocent of the offense. A wrong done deliberately by a ‘bad apple’ cleric is more serious than a similar wrong done by an ordinary person. This is by reason of the religious and public character of the cleric, who has a duty to do what he/she knows is good and just, as well as an obligation to not cause scandal to others. Jesus said also: “To whom much has been entrusted, of him much will be required” How to explain? Well, it is obvious that every human being is mortal,i.c. they will die, whether they want to or not. And each person, including clergy, will have to answer to God, the supreme Judge, for every thought and word and action of his/her life, including that infraction. Jesus said: “Judge not that you may not be judged!” Thus, the person who condemns the offending cleric or his/her Church, can expect from the all-just Judge a severe judgment of their whole life. Perhaps the questioner intended to say “human” rather than “mortal.” If so, I repeat: it is human to offend, to make mistakes, to sin. It is by God’s grace that a person can say “I’m sorry,” “Forgive me,” and be forgiven. God’s judgment is most just; but at the same time God is merciful to the person who expresses regret for his/her mistakes, and God does forgive. The person who condemned the offender had better say often: “I’m sorry for my offenses, including hasty judgment of others and their Church.” If the reporter does not admit such, then (s)he is in a worse situation than the offending person. The Church on earth is madeup of sinners and people who offend and make mistakes. Every day the Church acknowledges the sinfulness of her members and begs God’s forgiveness, and also urges all her members to forgive one another. The person who judges and condemns another makes him/herself liable for judgment and condemnation by God. Judges and other persons in authority have an obligation, a duty to consider all aspects of the offender and the offense before passing judgment and sentence on the offender. And they must make sure, to the best of their ability, that their judgment is just, as they will have to answer to God for each case submitted to their judgment.