455 LIVING IN THE TRUTH

YOUCAT Lesson 455

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

455  What does it mean to be truthful?

Truthfulness means that one acts sincerely and speaks honestly.  The truthful individual guards against double-dealing, misrepresentation, malicious deception, and hypocrisy.  The worst form of untruthfulness is perjury.  [2468, 2476]

The “keep” of the castle of Rouen where Saint Joan of Arc was imprisoned during her trial.  This prison is known as the “Joan of Arc Tower”.  On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake at the Old Marketplace in Rouen. …..455

The procedures of an Inquisitorial trial called for a preliminary investigation into the life of the suspect. This investigation consisted of the collection of any evidence about the character of the subject, including witness testimony. This could then be followed by an interrogation of the accused, in which he or she was compelled to provide testimony which could then be used against them in a subsequent trial.

A great evil in all communities is slander of other people and malicious gossip: A tells B “confidentially” something derogatory that C said about B.

If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also. --James 3:2b

[2468, 2476]

 LIVING IN THE TRUTH

 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.  --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

 OFFENSES AGAINST TRUTH

  

2476 False witness and perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness. (Compare Proverbs 19:9.) ²⁷⁶ 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. (Compare Prov 18:5.)²⁷⁷ They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions.