Address sin through gentle fraternal correction, not gossip, says Pope

September 08, 2014

Pope Francis spoke about fraternal correction as reflected on the Sunday Gospel (Mt. 18:15-20) during his September 7 Angelus address.

“Jesus teaches us that if my brother sins against me, I have to use charity towards him and, first of all, talk to him personally, explaining that what he has said or done is not good,” he said. “The stages of this route show the effort the Lord asks of his community to accompany those who make mistakes, so they are not lost. It is first necessary to avoid the clamor of news and the gossip of the community.”

The Pope called for “an attitude of gentleness, prudence, humility, and attention against those who have committed a crime, avoiding that words can hurt and kill the brother … At the same time this discretion has the purpose of not unnecessarily mortifying the sinner.”

Stating that angry, resentful insults are “not Christian,” he added:

In fact, before God we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. Everyone! In fact, Jesus told us not to judge. Fraternal correction is a matter of love and communion that must prevail in the Christian community, it is a reciprocal service that we can and must render for one another. And it is possible and effective only if everyone is a sinner and in need of forgiveness of the Lord. The same conscience that makes me recognize the mistake of the other, beforehand reminds me that I have erred and wronged so many times.

 

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Further information:

• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope's Angelus Address: Sunday 7th September (Zenit)