Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae

Objection 1: It would seem that the precept of fraternal correction does not demand that a private admonition should precede denunciation. For, in works of charity, we should above all follow the example of God, according to Eph. 5:1,2: "Be ye followers of God, as most dear children, and walk in love." Now God sometimes punishes a man for a sin, without previously warning him in secret. Therefore it seems that there is no need for a private admonition to precede denunciation.

Objection 2: Further, according to Augustine (De Mendacio xv), we learn from the deeds of holy men how we ought to understand the commandments of Holy Writ. Now among the deeds of holy men we find that a hidden sin is publicly denounced, without any previous admonition in private. Thus we read (Gn. 37:2) that "Joseph accused his brethren to his father of a most wicked crime": and (Acts 5:4,9) that Peter publicly denounced Ananias and Saphira who had secretly "by fraud kept back the price of the land," without beforehand admonishing them in private: nor do we read that Our Lord admonished Judas in secret before denouncing him. Therefore the precept does not require that secret admonition should precede public denunciation.

Objection 3: Further, it is a graver matter to accuse than to denounce. Now one may go to the length of accusing a person publicly, without previously admonishing him in secret: for it is decided in the Decretal (Cap. Qualiter, xiv, De Accusationibus) that "nothing else need precede accusation except inscription." Therefore it seems that the precept does not require that a secret admonition should precede public denunciation.

Objection 4: Further, it does not seem probable that the customs observed by religious in general are contrary to the precepts of Christ. Now it is customary among religious orders to proclaim this or that one for a fault, without any previous secret admonition. Therefore it seems that this admonition is not required by the precept.

Objection 5: Further, religious are bound to obey their prelates. Now a prelate sometimes commands either all in general, or someone in particular, to tell him if they know of anything that requires correction. Therefore it would seem that they are bound to tell them this, even before any secret admonition. Therefore the precept does not require secret admonition before public denunciation.

On the contrary, Augustine says (De Verb. Dom. xvi, 4) on the words, "Rebuke him between thee and him alone" (Mt. 18:15): "Aiming at his amendment, while avoiding his disgrace: since perhaps from shame he might begin to defend his sin; and him whom you thought to make a better man, you make worse." Now we are bound by the precept of charity to beware lest our brother become worse. Therefore the order of fraternal correction comes under the precept.

I answer that, With regard to the public denunciation of sins it is necessary to make a distinction: because sins may be either public or secret. In the case of public sins, a remedy is required not only for the sinner, that he may become better, but also for others, who know of his sin, lest they be scandalized. Wherefore such like sins should be denounced in public, according to the saying of the Apostle (1 Tim. 5:20): "Them that sin reprove before all, that the rest also may have fear," which is to be understood as referring to public sins, as Augustine states (De Verb. Dom. xvi, 7).

On the other hand, in the case of secret sins, the words of Our Lord seem to apply (Mt. 18:15): "If thy brother shall offend against thee," etc. For if he offend thee publicly in the presence of others, he no longer sins against thee alone, but also against others whom he 'disturbs. Since, however, a man's neighbor may take offense even at his secret sins, it seems that we must make yet a further distinction. For certain secret sins are hurtful to our neighbor either in his body or in his soul, as, for instance, when a man plots secretly to betray his country to its enemies, or when a heretic secretly turns other men away from the faith. And since he that sins thus in secret, sins not only against you in particular, but also against others, it is necessary to take steps to denounce him at once, in order to prevent him doing such harm, unless by chance you were firmly persuaded that this evil result would be prevented by admonishing him secretly. On the other hand there are other sins which injure none but the sinner, and the person sinned against, either because he alone is hurt by the sinner, or at least because he alone knows about his sin, and then our one purpose should be to succor our sinning brother: and just as the physician of the body restores the sick man to health, if possible, without cutting off a limb, but, if this be unavoidable, cuts off a limb which is least indispensable, in order to preserve the life of the whole body, so too he who desires his brother's amendment should, if possible, so amend him as regards his conscience, that he keep his good name.

For a good name is useful, first of all to the sinner himself, not only in temporal matters wherein a man suffers many losses, if he lose his good name, but also in spiritual matters, because many are restrained from sinning, through fear of dishonor, so that when a man finds his honor lost, he puts no curb on his sinning. Hence Jerome says on Mt. 18:15: "If he sin against thee, thou shouldst rebuke him in private, lest he persist in his sin if he should once become shameless or unabashed." Secondly, we ought to safeguard our sinning brother's good name, both because the dishonor of one leads to the dishonor of others, according to the saying of Augustine (Ep. ad pleb. Hipponens. lxxviii): "When a few of those who bear a name for holiness are reported falsely or proved in truth to have done anything wrong, people will seek by busily repeating it to make it believed of all": and also because when one man's sin is made public others are incited to sin likewise.

Since, however, one's conscience should be preferred to a good name, Our Lord wished that we should publicly denounce our brother and so deliver his conscience from sin, even though he should forfeit his good name. Therefore it is evident that the precept requires a secret admonition to precede public denunciation.

Reply to Objection 1: Whatever is hidden, is known to God, wherefore hidden sins are to the judgment of God, just what public sins are to the judgment of man. Nevertheless God does rebuke sinners sometimes by secretly admonishing them, so to speak, with an inward inspiration, either while they wake or while they sleep, according to Job 33:15-17: "By a dream in a vision by night, when deep sleep falleth upon men . . . then He openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn, that He may withdraw a man from the things he is doing."

Reply to Objection 2: Our Lord as God knew the sin of Judas as though it were public, wherefore He could have made it known at once. Yet He did not, but warned Judas of his sin in words that were obscure. The sin of Ananias and Saphira was denounced by Peter acting as God's executor, by Whose revelation he knew of their sin. With regard to Joseph it is probable that he warned his brethren, though Scripture does not say so. Or we may say that the sin was public with regard to his brethren, wherefore it is stated in the plural that he accused "his brethren."

Reply to Objection 3: When there is danger to a great number of people, those words of Our Lord do not apply, because then thy brother does not sin against thee alone.

Reply to Objection 4: Proclamations made in the chapter of religious are about little faults which do not affect a man's good name, wherefore they are reminders of forgotten faults rather than accusations or denunciations. If, however, they should be of such a nature as to injure our brother's good name, it would be contrary to Our Lord's precept, to denounce a brother's fault in this manner.

Reply to Objection 5: A prelate is not to be obeyed contrary to a Divine precept, according to Acts 5:29: "We ought to obey God rather then men." Therefore when a prelate commands anyone to tell him anything that he knows to need correction, the command rightly understood supports the safeguarding of the order of fraternal correction, whether the command be addressed to all in general, or to some particular individual. If, on the other hand, a prelate were to issue a command in express opposition to this order instituted by Our Lord, both would sin, the one commanding, and the one obeying him, as disobeying Our Lord's command. Consequently he ought not to be obeyed, because a prelate is not the judge of secret things, but God alone is, wherefore he has no power to command anything in respect of hidden matters, except in so far as they are made known through certain signs, as by ill-repute or suspicion; in which cases a prelate can command just as a judge, whether secular or ecclesiastical, can bind a man under oath to tell the truth.

Articulus 7

Argumentum 1

Ad septimum sic proceditur. Videtur quod in correctione fraterna non debeat, ex necessitate praecepti, admonitio secreta praecedere denuntiationem. Operibus enim caritatis praecipue debemus deum imitari, secundum illud Ephes. V, estote imitatores dei, sicut filii carissimi, et ambulate in dilectione.

Deus autem interdum publice punit hominem pro peccato nulla secreta monitione praecedente. Ergo videtur quod non sit necessarium admonitionem secretam praecedere denuntiationem.

Argumentum 2

Praeterea, sicut Augustinus dicit, in libro contra mendacium, ex gestis sanctorum intelligi potest qualiter sunt praecepta sacrae Scripturae intelligenda.

Sed in gestis sanctorum invenitur facta publica denuntiatio peccati occulti nulla secreta monitione praecedente, sicut legitur Gen. XXXVII quod ioseph accusavit fratres suos apud patrem crimine pessimo; et Act. V dicitur quod Petrus Ananiam et Saphiram, occulte defraudantes de pretio agri, publice denuntiavit nulla secreta admonitione praemissa. Ipse etiam dominus non legitur secreto admonuisse Iudam antequam eum denuntiaret. Non ergo est de necessitate praecepti ut secreta admonitio praecedat publicam denuntiationem.

Argumentum 3

Praeterea, accusatio est gravior quam denuntiatio.

Sed ad publicam accusationem potest aliquis procedere nulla admonitione secreta praecedente, determinatur enim in decretali quod accusationem debet praecedere inscriptio.

Ergo videtur quod non sit de necessitate praecepti quod secreta admonitio praecedat publicam denuntiationem.

Argumentum 4

Praeterea, non videtur esse probabile quod ea quae sunt in communi consuetudine religiosorum sint contra praecepta christi. Sed consuetum est in religionibus quod in capitulis aliqui proclamantur de culpis nulla secreta admonitione praemissa.

Ergo videtur quod hoc non sit de necessitate praecepti.

Argumentum 5

Praeterea, religiosi tenentur suis praelatis obedire.

Sed quandoque praelati praecipiunt, vel communiter omnibus vel alicui specialiter, ut si quid scit corrigendum, ei dicatur.

Ergo videtur quod teneantur ei dicere etiam ante secretam admonitionem. Non ergo est de necessitate praecepti ut secreta admonitio praecedat publicam denuntiationem.

Sed Contra

Sed contra est quod Augustinus dicit, in libro de verbis dom., exponens illud, corripe ipsum inter te et ipsum solum, studens correctioni, parcens pudori. Forte enim prae verecundia incipit defendere peccatum suum, et quem vis facere meliorem, facis peiorem.

Sed ad hoc tenemur per praeceptum caritatis ut caveamus ne frater deterior efficiatur. Ergo ordo correctionis fraternae cadit sub praecepto.

Corpus

Respondeo dicendum quod circa publicam denuntiationem peccatorum distinguendum est. Aut enim peccata sunt publica, aut sunt occulta.

Si quidem sint publica, non est tantum adhibendum remedium ei qui peccavit, ut melior fiat, sed etiam aliis, in quorum notitiam devenit, ut non scandalizentur. Et ideo talia peccata sunt publice arguenda, secundum illud apostoli, I ad Tim. V, peccantem coram omnibus argue, ut ceteri timorem habeant; quod intelligitur de peccatis publicis, ut Augustinus dicit, in libro de verbis dom..

Si vero sint peccata occulta, sic videtur habere locum quod dominus dicit, si peccaverit in te frater tuus, quando enim te offendit publice coram aliis, iam non solum in te peccat, sed etiam in alios, quos turbat. Sed quia etiam in occultis peccatis potest parari proximorum offensa, ideo adhuc distinguendum videtur. Quaedam enim peccata occulta sunt quae sunt in nocumentum proximorum vel corporale vel spirituale, puta si aliquis occulte tractet quomodo civitas tradatur hostibus; vel si haereticus privatim homines a fide avertat. Et quia hic ille qui occulte peccat non solum in te peccat, sed etiam in alios; oportet statim ad denuntiationem procedere, ut huiusmodi nocumentum impediatur, nisi forte aliquis firmiter aestimaret quod statim per secretam admonitionem posset huiusmodi mala impedire.

Quaedam vero peccata sunt quae sunt solum in malum peccantis et tui, in quem peccatur vel quia a peccante laederis, vel saltem ex sola notitia. Et tunc ad hoc solum tendendum est ut fratri peccanti subveniatur. Et sicut medicus corporalis sanitatem confert, si potest, sine alicuius membri abscissione; si autem non potest, abscindit membrum minus necessarium, ut vita totius conservetur, ita etiam ille qui studet emendationi fratris debet, si potest, sic emendare fratrem, quantum ad conscientiam, ut fama eius conservetur. Quae quidem est utilis, primo quidem et ipsi peccanti, non solum in temporalibus, in quibus quantum ad multa homo patitur detrimentum amissa fama; sed etiam quantum ad spiritualia, quia prae timore infamiae multi a peccato retrahuntur, unde quando se infamatos conspiciunt, irrefrenate peccant.

Unde Hieronymus dicit, corripiendus est seorsum frater, ne, si semel pudorem aut verecundiam amiserit, permaneat in peccato.

Secundo debet conservari fama fratris peccantis, tum quia, uno infamato, alii infamantur, secundum illud Augustini, in Epist. Ad plebem hipponensem, cum de aliquibus qui sanctum nomen profitentur aliquid criminis vel falsi sonuerit vel veri patuerit, instant, satagunt, ambiunt ut de omnibus hoc credatur.

Tum etiam quia ex peccato unius publicato alii provocantur ad peccatum. Sed quia conscientia praeferenda est famae, voluit dominus ut saltem cum dispendio famae fratris conscientia per publicam denuntiationem a peccato liberetur.

Unde patet de necessitate praecepti esse quod secreta admonitio publicam denuntiationem praecedat.

Ad 1

Ad primum ergo dicendum quod omnia occulta deo sunt nota.

Et ideo hoc modo se habent occulta peccata ad iudicium divinum sicut publica ad humanum. Et tamen plerumque deus peccatores quasi secreta admonitione arguit interius inspirando, vel vigilanti vel dormienti, secundum illud iob XXXIII, per somnium in visione nocturna, quando irruit sopor super homines, tunc aperit aures virorum, et erudiens eos instruit disciplina, ut avertat hominem ab his quae fecit.

Ad 2

Ad secundum dicendum quod dominus peccatum Iudae, tanquam deus, sicut publicum habebat. Unde statim poterat ad publicandum procedere. Tamen ipse non publicavit, sed obscuris verbis eum de peccato suo admonuit. Petrus autem publicavit peccatum occultum Ananiae et Saphirae tanquam executor dei, cuius revelatione peccatum cognovit. De ioseph autem credendum est quod fratres suos quandoque admonuerit, licet non sit scriptum.

Vel potest dici quod peccatum publicum erat inter fratres, unde dicit pluraliter, accusavit fratres suos.

Ad 3

Ad tertium dicendum quod quando imminet periculum multitudinis, non habent ibi locum haec verba domini, quia tunc frater peccans non peccat in te tantum.

Ad 4

Ad quartum dicendum quod huiusmodi proclamationes quae in capitulis religiosorum fiunt sunt de aliquibus levibus, quae famae non derogant. Unde sunt quasi quaedam commemorationes potius oblitarum culparum quam accusationes vel denuntiationes.

Si essent tamen talia de quibus frater infamaretur, contra praeceptum domini ageret qui per hunc modum peccatum fratris publicaret.

Ad 5

Ad quintum dicendum quod praelato non est obediendum contra praeceptum divinum, secundum illud Act. V, obedire oportet deo magis quam hominibus.

Et ideo quando praelatus praecipit ut sibi dicatur quod quis sciverit corrigendum, intelligendum est praeceptum sane, salvo ordine correctionis fraternae, sive praeceptum fiat communiter ad omnes, sive ad aliquem specialiter. Sed si praelatus expresse praeciperet contra hunc ordinem a domino constitutum, et ipse peccaret praecipiens et ei obediens, quasi contra praeceptum domini agens, unde non esset ei obediendum. Quia praelatus non est iudex occultorum, sed solus deus, unde non habet potestatem praecipiendi aliquid super occultis nisi inquantum per aliqua indicia manifestantur, puta per infamiam vel aliquas suspiciones; in quibus casibus potest praelatus praecipere eodem modo sicut et iudex saecularis vel ecclesiasticus potest exigere iuramentum de veritate dicenda.