- What is our relationship to truth? Why is it important?
- What is the virtue of sincerity?
- What is a lie?
- What is the gravity of lying?
- Could a lie be a mortal sin?
- Do people have a right to a good name?
- What is rash judgment, defamation, detraction, calumny?
- If I injure the good name of another do I have to restore the damage as a condition for receiving forgiveness in the sacrament of confession?
- Can we sin against charity in our minds with judgments, criticisms, negative thoughts, impatience, unkindness?
- Do journalists have an unconditional right to know and print everything?
- Should a Catholic be a good keeper of secrets? If so why?
- Do people in the media have a greater responsibility in the area of truth?
1. Living in the Truth, Bearing Witness to the Truth, Respecting the Truth
What is truth?
Veritas est adaequatio REI et INTELLECTUS. Truth, according to Saint Thomas, is the agreement or conformity or correspondence between a THING and an INTELLECT. Based on this definition, we can distinguish three "kinds" or levels of truth: ontological truth, logical truth, and moral truth.
- ONTOLOGICAL TRUTH is the conformity between the intellect of the maker and the thing that he makes. This applies above all, to the conformity of CREATED THINGS to the MIND OF THE CREATOR. In so far as those things exist, they are (ontologically) true. In a secondary way, it also applies to the conformity of things produced by man to their human makers, e.g. the poem to the poet, the song to the composer, the building to the architect.
- LOGICAL TRUTH is the conformity between the CREATED INTELLECT and the REALITY around it. When we judge correctly about the world around us, then there is truth in our judgment. For instance, when we say that the rose we are holding is red, and in fact it is, our judgment is true.
- MORAL TRUTH or VERACITY is the correspondence between the OUTWARD EXPRESSION of thought with what the speaker KNOWS or BELIEVES about something. Note that the "outward expression" may be a spoken or written word, or an action. So here we are saying that truth is not only in speaking or writing, but also in acting. For this lesson we are interested in this third kind of truth. This is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes in point 2468.
- Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called TRUTHFULNESS, SINCERITY, or CANDOR. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy.
1.1 Living in the Truth
The CCC (cf no 2465-2467, 2469) gives us several reasons why have to live in the truth.
- Because GOD is the source of all BEING, then he is the source of all TRUTH. All beings conform to His creative command. In the Old Testament, the expression Dabar-Yahweh means roughly 'Word of God.' But it does not only mean speaking, but actually DOING. Even in the New Testament, dabar can mean an event explained by words. When God speaks, he also does what he says. He is faithful to his word. Thus, in the Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI explains:
- The relationship between word and sacramental gesture is the liturgical expression of God's activity in the history of salvation through the PERFORMATIVE character of the word itself. In salvation history there is no separation between what God SAYS and what he DOES. His word appears as ALIVE and ACTIVE (cf Hebrews 4:12), as the Hebrew term DABAR itself makes clear. In the liturgical action too, we encounter his word which accomplishes what it says.
- Moreover, JESUS CHRIST is the TRUTH (John 1:14; 8:12; cf 14:6). We are followers of Jesus, we are followers of the Truth. He teaches us to be truthful: "Let what you say be simply 'Yes or No.'" (Matthew 5:37)
- MAN naturally tends toward the truth. As Saint Augustine observed, we may find many people around us who have no problem about fooling other people, but absolutely no one wants to be fooled by anyone else--EVERY MAN SEEKS THE TRUTH.
- All aspects of man's life that involves DEALING WITH OTHERS requires the truth. If everyone were dishonest, there would be no trust. Without trust, any kind of interaction would be impossible.
1.2 How can Christians bear witness to the truth?
Point 522 of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCCC; cf CCC 2471-2474, 2505-2506) teaches:
A Christian must bear witness to the truth of the Gospel in EVERY FIELD of his activity, both PUBLIC and PRIVATE, and also if necessary, with the sacrifice of his very life. MARTYRDOM is the supreme witness given to the truth of the faith.
1.3 Respecting Truth. What is required by the 8th Commandment?
The CCCC (524; cf CCC 2488-2492, 2510-2511) says:
The eighth commandment requires respect for the truth accompanied by the discretion of CHARITY [1] in the field of COMMUNICATION and the IMPARTING OF INFORMATION, where [a] the PERSONAL [e.g., privacy] and COMMON GOOD, [b] the protection of PRIVACY and [c] the DANGER OF SCANDAL must all be taken into account; [2] in respecting PROFESSIONAL SECRETS which must be kept, save in exceptional cases for grave and proportionate reasons; and also [3] in respecting CONFIDENCES given under the seal of secrecy.
- No one has an absolute right to the truth. The CCC (2492) says this of privacy and the media:
- Everyone should observe an appropriate reserve concerning persons' private lives. Those in charge of communications should maintain a fair balance between the requirements of the common good and respect for individual rights. Interference by the media in the private lives of persons engaged in political or public activity is to be condemned to the extent that it infringes upon their privacy and freedom.
- The secret of the sacrament of confession cannot be violated. Canon 983, section 1 of the Code of Canon Law explicitly states:
- The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore, it is a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by word or in any other manner or for any reason.
- With regard to confidentiality, the CCC (2491) elaborates:
- Professional secrets - for example, those of political office holders, soldiers, physicians, and lawyers - or confidential information given under the seal of secrecy must be kept, save in exceptional cases where keeping the secret is bound to cause very grave harm to the one who confided it, to the one who received it or to a third party, and where the very grave harm can be avoided only by divulging the truth. Even if not confided under the seal of secrecy, private information prejudicial to another is not to be divulged without a grave and proportionate reason.
1.4 Use of the Social Communications Media
When speaking about the communications media, the CCC (2493-2495) first highlights its contribution to society. The media
- plays a major role not only in providing INFORMATION, but also in CULTURAL PROMOTION and FORMATION not only of PUBLIC OPINION but also of INDIVIDUALS in society. This role is further enhanced by technological progress (cf CCC 2493).
- serves the common good as long as what it communicates (i.e., the CONTENT) is TRUE and COMPLETE (within the bounds of JUSTICE and CHARITY), and does it in an HONEST and PROPER way (i.e., the MANNER). It thus contributes to SOLIDARITY. (Cf CCC 2494-2495)
Then the CCC turns its attention to certain moral obligations in the means of mass communication.
- Regarding USERS, point 2496 of the CCC reminds them to be vigilant and sober in their use of these modern means. The constant feeding of images and information can serve to dull people and make them passive. It has been shown in many studies that young people who are constantly exposed to a barrage of images (television, computer games, movies, and so on) tend to show lower intellectual performance compared to their peers who are not exposed as much. Hence, it is ever more important to form consciences and train everyone to resist unwholesome influences.
- As for JOURNALISTS (cf CCC 2497), the demands of their profession may sometimes tempt them to ignore the truth or charity in disseminating information or expressing their views.
- CIVIL AUTHORITIES (cf CCC 2498) need to be watchful to assure:
- that there is a true and just freedom of information;
- that public morality and social progress are not endangered;
- that privacy is protected;
- that freedom of individuals or groups are not injured;
- that it does not resort to disinformation or manipulation of public opinion.
- With respect to the last point, the CCC 2499 states in very strong terms:
- Moral judgment must condemn the plague of totalitarian states which systematically falsify the truth, exercise political control of opinion through the media, manipulate defendants and witnesses at public trials, and imagine that they secure their tyranny by strangling and repressing everything they consider "thought crimes."
1.5 What relationship exists between truth and beauty?
The CCCC (526; cf CCC 2500-2503, 2513) says:
The truth is beautiful, carrying in itself the splendour of spiritual beauty. In addition to the expression of the truth in words there are other complementary expressions of the truth, most specifically in the beauty of artistic works. These are the fruit both of talents given by God and of human effort. Sacred art by being true and beautiful should evoke and glorify the mystery of God made visible in Christ, and lead to the adoration and love of God, the Creator and Savior, who is the surpassing, invisible Beauty of Truth and Love.
For some people, the way to the truth passes through the perception of beauty. Beauty does not require any logical demonstration, it does not require a defense. In some cases, it is more readily accepted than goodness or truth. The beauty of nature leads many people to God. Others are led to Him by works of sacred art, architecture, or sacred music. As Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, said in ecclesial meeting with Communion and Liberation held in Rimini, Italy in August 2002:
Nothing can bring us into close contact with the beauty of Christ himself other than the world of beauty created by faith and light that shines out from the faces of the saints, through whom his own light becomes visible.
2. Offenses against Truth
Here is what the CCCC (523) has to say:
The eighth commandment forbids:
- false witness, perjury, and lying, the gravity of which is measured by the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims;
- rash judgement, slander, defamation and calumny which diminish or destroy the good reputation and honour to which every person has a right;
- flattery, adulation, or complaisance, especially if directed to serious sins or toward the achievement of illicit advantages.
A sin committed against truth demands reparation if it has caused harm to others.
2.1 Statements contrary to truth
- LIES. St Augustine, in his work De mendacio ("On lying") defines a lie as "speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving." In John 8:44, our Lord identifies the devil as the source of all falsehood: "You are of your father the devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (Cf CCC 2482)
- FALSE WITNESS AND PERJURY. A lie made in public is usually serious. When pronounced in court, it becomes FALSE WITNESS. When it is under oath, it is called PERJURY. Point 2476 of the CCC adds that these lies "gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions."
How serious a sin is lying?
The CCC (2484) says:
The gravity of a lie is measured against the [1] NATURE OF THE TRUTH it deforms, [2] the CIRCUMSTANCES, [3] the INTENTIONS of the one who lies, and [4] the HARM suffered by its victims.
If A LIE IN ITSELF only constitutes a VENIAL sin, it becomes MORTAL when it does GRAVE INJURY to the virtues of justice and charity.
2.2 Actions contrary to truth and charity
There are certain actions that do not only violate truthfulness but also charity. These are (cf CCC 2477):
- RASH JUDGEMENT. It is a sin of thought, whereby a person assumes as true, even tacitly, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbour.
- DETRACTION. It is the sin of one "who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings to persons who did not know them" [cf Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 21:28]. In this case, the person is speaking the TRUTH, but as mentioned above, not everyone has a right to the truth and on the other, everyone has a RIGHT TO HIS GOOD NAME.
- CALUMNY. When a person speaks falsehoods harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgements concerning them. The difference between calumny and detraction is that a calumny is a falsehood.
2.3 Other sins
The CCC (2480-2481) includes other offenses against the 8th commandment aside from those mentioned above.
- Every word or attitude is forbidden which by FLATTERY, ADULATION, or COMPLAISANCE encourages and confirms another in MALICIOUS ACTS and PERVERSE CONDUCT.
- Adulation is a GRAVE fault if it makes one an accomplice in another's vices or grave sins. Neither the desire to be of service nor friendship justifies duplicitous speech.
- Adulation is a VENIAL sin when it only seeks to be agreeable, to avoid evil, to meet a need, or to obtain legitimate advantages.
- BOASTING or BRAGGING is an offense against truth. So is IRONY aimed at disparaging someone by maliciously caricaturing some aspect of his behavior.
2.4 The duty of reparation
This is an oft-forgotten principle regarding falsehoods, especially if other persons have suffered harm as a result. The CCC (2487) teaches:
Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the duty of reparation, 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.
- Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 521-526
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2464-2513