Fraternal correction

Fraternal correction

Fraternal correction is the admonishing of one's neighbor by a private individual with the purpose of reforming him or, if possible, preventing his sinful indulgence.

This is distinct from an official disciplining, whose mouthpiece is a judge or other like superior, whose object is the punishment of one found to be guilty, and whose motive is not so directly the individual advantage of the offender as the furtherance of the common good.

In Roman Catholic ethics, this is, upon occasion and with due regard to circumstances, an obligation. This is a conclusion not only deducible from the natural law binding us to love and to assist one another, but also explicitly contained in positive precept: "If thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother" (Matthew 18:15). Given a sufficiently grave condition of spiritual distress calling for succour in this way, this commandment may exact fulfilment under pain of mortal sin.

The obligation of fraternal correction, so far as private persons go, does not obtain, generally speaking, for the case of one who violates a law through invincible ignorance.

Normally, the duty calls for the reproof to be administered privately. This is plainly the method appointed by Christ in the words just cited and only as a remedy for obduracy is any other contemplated by Him. Still there are occasions upon which one might lawfully proceed in a different way. For instance

  • when the offence is a public one;
  • when it makes for the prejudice of a third party or perhaps even the entire community;
  • when it can only be condignly dealt with by the authority of a superior paternally exercised;
  • when a public rebuke is necessary to preclude scandal
  • when the offender has already in advance relinquished whatever right he possessed to have his good name safeguarded, as is the custom in some religious bodies.

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Fraternal Correction — • The admonishing of one s neighbor by a private individual with the purpose of reforming him or, if possible, preventing his sinful indulgence Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Fraternal Correction     Fraternal Corre …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Correction, Fraternal — • The admonishing of one s neighbor by a private individual with the purpose of reforming him or, if possible, preventing his sinful indulgence Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006 …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Detraction — • The unjust damaging of another s good name by the revelation of some fault or crime of which that other is really guilty or at any rate is seriously believed to be guilty by the defamer Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Detraction      …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy —     Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy     Mercy as it is here contemplated is said to be a virtue influencing one s will to have compassion for, and, if possible, to… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Pope Clement I — Saint Clement I Papacy began 92 AD Papacy ended 99 AD Predecessor Anacletus …   Wikipedia

  • Confucianism — • An article by Charles F. Aiken. Reviews the key teachings and history of Confucianism, and its relation to Christianity Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Confucianism     Confucianism …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Mexico — • Situated at the extreme point of the North American continent, bounded on the north by the United States, on the east by the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, British Honduras, and Guatemala, and on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Teachings of Opus Dei — The following are the main features of Escrivá s spiritual teachings, the basis of the message Opus Dei was tasked to spread. Another exposition of these main teachings, expressed as the main features of the spirit of Opus Dei, can be found in… …   Wikipedia

  • Fabian Bruskewitz — Fabian Wendelin Bruskewitz (born September 6, 1935 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lincoln in the U.S. state of Nebraska. He has held that post since 1992. He is considered one of the most conservative… …   Wikipedia

  • Hierarchy of the Early Church — • The word hierarchy is used here to denote the three grades of bishop, priest, and deacon (ministri) Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Hierarchy of the Early Church     Hierarchy of the Early Church …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”