I’m a happy member of the Catholic lay movement, Regnum Christi.  Yesterday, I participated in an RC mini-retreat on the virtue of charity, which is one of our main charisms.  And, boy, did I feel the heat.

The first meditation of the retreat focused beautifully on the theological virtue of charity, how Christ lived it and what Sacred Scripture has to say about it.  I felt pretty good as I reflected upon this first meditation.  Yes, I know what charity is and how important it is and know that I need grace to live it.

Then came the second meditation, emphasizing living charity in everyday life.  And, that’s when I began having difficulty, especially with regard to speaking with charity.  Speaking with charity is one of the most particulary ways that we’re called to live out charity in the movement, because our founder, Father Maciel, has experienced such calumniation throughout his life and knows it’s devastating effects.

Here’s the excerpt that was particularly difficult for me:

“Publishing the mistakes of others to those who can nothing about them (in other words, to most people) and gossiping are among the most diabolical of sins.  They are the closest to the essence of what Satan is.  I have no right to say anything negative to anyone about anybody, EVEN IF IT IS TRUE!  The only exception is when the other person has a right to know about someone’s actions, as would be the case in informing a parent, boss, or a superior.”

What struck me so particularly is that this publicizing of the mistakes of others, especially of those in Church authority and religious life, is quite a lively business among the Catholic blogosphere.  I know that I’ve certainly done it at times.  And, certainly, I read the blogs of many others who loudly proclaim various liturgical abuses, leadership failures, and theological mishaps.  Lord, have mercy!  I feel so convicted and have made a new resolution to refrain from such speech.

One matter that caused confusion to Devin and me was that of warning others about dangerous matters, such as a “Catholic” book that’s full of heresy or a “Catholic” organization that’s a danger to the faithful or, even, exposing an organization like Planned Parenthood which claims to help women but really profits from their pain.  What is charity in this instance?