456 MAKING AMENDS

YOUCAT Lesson 456

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

456  What should you do if you have lied to, deceived, or betrayed someone?

Every offense against truth and justice, even if it has been forgiven, demands reparation.  [2487]

Jesus calling the tax collector Zacchaeus down from the tree announcing that he wanted to stay at Zaccaeus’ house.  Painting by Niels Larsen Stevns. ….. 456

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.”   And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.  For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”--Luke 19: 8-10

If one cannot make amends publicly for a lie or false testimony, one must at least do whatever one can secretly.  If one cannot compensate the injured party directly for the wrong, one is obliged in conscience to give him moral satisfaction, in other words, one must do his best so as to make at least symbolic reparation.

[2487]

OFFENSES AGAINST TRUTH

2487 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. –Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition