POPE FRANCIS' DETRACTORS FABRICATE FALSEHOOD TO DISSUADE CATHOLICISM

Two nights ago, I was taken aback by a scandalous post of an individual about the Pope, which is but similar to the controversies being paraded by these detractors in the past papacies (rape and murder) We can't blame these people, whether we like it or not, aside from them there are still others whose motivation is for personal gain and power than the common good.

It's exhausting seeing this form of unfair gestures but what can we do, this world is composed of both the blind and with 20/20 vision. In any fashioned articles like this, what we can just do as a repsonisble Christian is to rebuke them and be candid as we can to shed light on this unkind articulation of freewill.

In a temptation to circulate a gossip or implausible article, let us be reminded that when it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness. When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased punishment of the accused. They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions.

Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty:

- of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;

- of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings to persons who did not know them;

- of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.

Sirach 21:28 A slanderer besmirches himself, and is hated by his neighbors.

Matthew 5:33 Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, 'Do not take a false oath, but make good to the Lord all that you vow.

Please be guided that no one is witness in this controvery not unless it's already confirmed by credible multimedia sources.

1 John 1:6 If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth.

John 18:37 So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.  For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

Matthew 18:16 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that 'every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses.'

Ephesians 4:23-24 Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, putting way falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

1 Peter 2:1 Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, insincerity, envy, and all slander.

Proverbs 19:9 The false witness will not go unpunished, and he who utters lies will perish.

Proverbs 18:5 It is not good to be partial to the guilty, and so to reject a rightful claim.

John 8:44 You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Proverbs 27:16 He who keeps her stores up a stormwind; he cannot tell north from south.

Proverbs 25:9-10 Discuss your case with your neighbor, but another man's secret do not disclose; lest, hearing it, he reproach you, and your ill repute cease not.

Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.

Within modern society the communications media play a major role in information, cultural promotion, and formation. This role is increasing, as a result of technological progress, the extent and diversity of the news transmitted, and the influence exercised on public opinion.

The information provided by the media is at the service of the common good. Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice, and solidarity:

The proper exercise of this right demands that the content of the communication be true and - within the limits set by justice and charity - complete. Further, it should be communicated honestly and properly. This means that in the gathering and in the publication of news, the moral law and the legitimate rights and dignity of man should be upheld.

"It is necessary that all members of society meet the demands of justice and charity in this domain. They should help, through the means of social communication, in the formation and diffusion of sound public opinion." Solidarity is a consequence of genuine and right communication and the free circulation of ideas that further knowledge and respect for others.

The means of social communication (especially the mass media) can give rise to a certain passivity among users, making them less than vigilant consumers of what is said or shown. Users should practice moderation and discipline in their approach to the mass media. They will want to form enlightened and correct consciences the more easily to resist unwholesome influences.

By the very nature of their profession, journalists have an obligation to serve the truth and not offend against charity in disseminating information. They should strive to respect, with equal care, the nature of the facts and the limits of critical judgment concerning individuals. They should not stoop to defamation.

"Civil authorities have particular responsibilities in this field because of the common good. It is for the civil authority  to defend and safeguard a true and just freedom of information."By promulgating laws and overseeing their application, public authorities should ensure that "public morality and social progress are not gravely endangered" through misuse of the media. Civil authorities should punish any violation of the rights of individuals to their reputation and privacy. They should give timely and reliable reports concerning the general good or respond to the well-founded concerns of the people. Nothing can justify recourse to disinformation for manipulating public opinion through the media. Interventions by public authority should avoid injuring the freedom of individuals or groups.

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."

To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way.

Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved. - Catholic Catechism