gossip

[Guest Kate]

I am a high school girl, and am often in situations where gossip abounds. Often, I try to stop myself from saying negative things about others, but for some reason, it just comes out anyways. I'ts like all of a sudden I lose my self control. So that brings me to my question - to what degree and in what situations is gossip a mortal sin? Thank you so much!

[cappie]

Detraction and or calumny.

They are unjust injuries to the good name of another with the distinction that detraction is committed by the revelation of true faults whereas calumny is the imputation of false defects to another.

Talebearing is similar to the above and consists in reporting to a person something unfavourable said of him by another.

Everyone has the right to a good name as Canon 219 says.

An injury to another's good name is committed by:

1) Every sin of calumny.
2) The revelation of real crimes in those cases where the revelation serves neither the common good nor private welfare.

Injury to another's good name is a venial sin if another suffers only a slight injury. The extent of the injury done depends upon the nature of the matter revealed, upon the person making the revelationmand regarding whom it is made.

To reveal the fault to one person who will not carry it forward or because of thoughtlessness is a venial sin. Talebearing is more serious in so far as it instigates discord and jealousy..

Listening to detraction and calumny is sinful:

1) If the other person is encouraged or induced to detract. In this case the listener becomes an accomplice. Generally the listener does not sin seriously if he or she merely desires to obtain the knowledge for themselves and is determined the information will go no further.
2) If one rejoices in the matter
3) If one does not hinder the detraction when one can do so.

Whoever acts this way sins against charity.

To sum up Calumny which is telling lies about someone is a Mortal Sin. Detraction to tell a story with the intention of detracting from their good name is usually a venial sin.

Edited November 3, 2005 by cappie