Detraction Explained: Mortal vs Venial Sin, Restitution, and When You Must Speak ~ Fr. Ripperger

About this sermon

**“Detraction” (often translated as backbiting) is the sin of speaking truth in a way meant to harm someone’s reputation. In this conference, we walk through the classic Catholic moral tradition—especially St. Thomas Aquinas—to clarify: what detraction is (and isn’t), how it differs from calumny, murmuring, and contumely, when detraction becomes grave matter, and when you may lawfully reveal a fault for charity, justice, or necessity. You’ll also hear practical guidance for real-life situations: family life, parish conflict, leadership failures, public figures, and the duty to resist listening to detraction—plus what restitution can require when someone’s good name has been unjustly damaged. Key takeaway: It’s not “never say anything bad about anyone.” It’s: say only what is true, charitable, and necessary—and refuse the temptation to take delight in another’s loss of reputation. Note: This talk discusses moral principles and examples for formation. Apply them with prudence, charity, and respect for persons. 0:00 Opening prayer 0:43 What detraction is (truth used to harm a good name) 1:50 Detraction vs calumny vs murmuring vs contumely 2:41 How a good name is harmed (directly/indirectly) 4:14 Is detraction grave matter? Why reputation is precious 5:08 Mortal vs venial detraction (intention + harm) 6:20 Restitution: repairing the harm to someone’s name 7:54 When revealing a hidden fault is not detraction (amendment/public justice) 9:19 Examples: correction, family concerns, protecting others 12:29 Reputation as an external good (and why it matters) 15:41 Should we listen to detraction? Our duty to resist 19:03 When you’re detracted against: patience, detachment, prudence 20:49 “Can I say something bad about someone?” The real criteria 21:39 Condition #1: It must be just/true/proportionate 22:44 The slippery slope: excess talk → uncertainty → injustice 24:41 Clergy, bishops, pope: avoiding exaggeration and animus 29:22 Condition #2: It must proceed from charity 33:30 Condition #3: It must be necessary (the one most fail) 36:58 Practical counsel: avoid negativity, avoid drawing others in 39:38 Q&A: family life and ongoing issues 41:00 Q&A: talking about a problematic pastor without detraction 45:14 Q&A: negligence vs duty to warn (protecting children) 46:10 Closing blessing For more by Fr. Ripperger & please visit http://sensustraditionis.org/ Fr' Ripperger's Press for his books at https://sentradpress.com/ Fr. Ripperger's order is found at https://dolorans.org/ (C) 2023 Sensus Fidelium 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🙏🏻PLEASE HELP OUR CHANNEL GROW 🙏🏻 ▶️ 1. Become a Channel Patron: https://www.patreon.com/SensusFidelium ▶️ 2. Visit the website https://www.sensusfidelium.com for Gueranger, Saint of the Day, Apologetics, Meditation by the Saints, Scripture Study and more. ▶️ 3. Subscribe to Other Video Platforms 🔴 SpiritusTV - https://spiritustv.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 BitChute --- https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium/ 🔴 Rumble --- https://rumble.com/c/c-298311 🔴 My Catholic Tube - https://mycatholictube.com/videos/sensus-fidelium-channel/ 🔴 LBRY.tv --- https://lbry.tv/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 ODYSEE - https://odysee.com/@SensusFidelium:c 🔴 UGETube - https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/@Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 BrandNewTube - https://brandnewtube.com/@SensusFidelium 🔴 GabTV - https://tv.gab.com/channel/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 GloriaTV - https://gloria.tv/Sensus%20Fidelium 🔴 Brighteon - https://www.brighteon.com/channels/sensusfidelium ▶️ 4. Paypal, Bitcoin, Anedot, Stripe, Square & PO Box donations - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ ▶️ 5. YouTube: Click Subscribe, then Click "Notification Bell" = 🔔 ▶️ 6. Please share this video 📲, and help others find Christ inside the Catholic Church! Please share this video on Facebook and Twitter using the share button. ▶️ 7. Follow on Social Media: 🔴 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SensusFidelium/ 🔴 Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Parler: https://parler.com/profile/Sensusfidelium/posts 🔴 SP3RN: https://www.sp3rn.com/community/pages/14-sensus-fidelium 🔴 GAB: https://gab.com/Sensus_Fidelium 🔴 Bastyon: https://bastyon.com/sensusfidelium 🔴 GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/sensus_fidelium 🔴 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sensusfidelium/ 🔴 Telegram: https//t.me/RealSensusFidelium 🔴 Truth Social - @SensusFidelium ▶️ 8. Follow on iTunes: 🔴 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sensus-fidelium-catholic-podcast/id1477010758 #Catholic #MoralTheology #Detraction #Gossip #Virtue #StThomasAquinas #Confession #Charity #Justice #Pr

Topics

• Repentance
• Heaven & Eternity