Byzantine Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Does one need to make reparation for lying, and if so how is this done? Like, suppose one told a lie and it didn't seem to have a big effect on anything and the person doesn't know they've been lied to and bringing it up would probably make things rather awkward? Are such incidents better left behind or what? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinytherese Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 This is one reason why we go to confession, so that we know the appropriate penances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cappie Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 A lie is a falsehood spoken with the intent to deceive. Jesus denounces lying as the work of the devil. "He is a liar and the father of lies" (Jn 8:44). Lying (the attempt to lead into error someone who has the right to know the truth) is the most direct offense against the truth. Lies injure man's relation to the truth, to his neighbor, and to the Lord. The gravity of a lie depends upon the truth which it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions, and the harm suffered by the victims. A lie is usually venial and becomes mortal when it does grave injury. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church..[b][url=""]2487[/url][/b] Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the [i]duty of reparation[/i], even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another's reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience. The right to be told the truth is not unconditional though. The person must judge if it is appropriate to reveal the truth. Both truth and charity dictate the correct response to someone seeking information. Some reasons (safety, privacy, the common good) allow silence or discreet language. Avoiding scandal demands great discretion. The truth need not be revealed to someone who has no right to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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