Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man's relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord. (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2483)
The
gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the
circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and 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. (Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 2484)
When
false witness and perjury are 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. (Proverbs 18:5) 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; (Sir 21:28.)
- of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.
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. (Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 2479)
"A
lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving."281
The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil: "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."(John 8:44) - Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 2482
Lying is the most direct offense against the truth.
To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into
error. By injuring man's relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends
against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord. (Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 2483)
The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature
of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies,
and 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.
By
its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech,
whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others. The
deliberate intention of leading a neighbor into error by saying things contrary
to the truth constitutes a failure in justice and charity. The culpability is
greater when the intention of deceiving entails the risk of deadly consequences
for those who are led astray.
Since
it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another. It
affects his ability to know, which is a condition of every judgment and
decision. It contains the seed of discord and all consequent evils. Lying is
destructive of society; it undermines trust among men and tears apart the
fabric of social relationships.
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.
Respect for the Truth
The right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional. Everyone must conform his life to the Gospel precept of fraternal love. This requires us in concrete situations to judge whether or not it is appropriate to reveal the truth to someone who asks for it.
The right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional. Everyone must conform his life to the Gospel precept of fraternal love. This requires us in concrete situations to judge whether or not it is appropriate to reveal the truth to someone who asks for it.
Charity
and respect for the truth should dictate the response to every request for
information or communication. The good and safety of others, respect for
privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what
ought not be known or for making use of a discreet language. The duty to avoid
scandal often commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth
to someone who does not have the right to know it. (Proverbs 25:9-10) - Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 2489
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