Day 298: Respect for Others

Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense. CCC 2284

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses the grave sin of scandal. As Christians, we must not only look out for our own soul's destiny "with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12), but also encourage and show respect for the souls of others. It is wrong to lead others into sin through scandal (Mt 18:6), whether we do so intentionally or not (CCC 2287). There are plenty of examples within our own lives, but the recent bad appointment by a French archbishop is at least a near-scandal in my view.

The Catholic Compendium summarizes how to avoid scandal:

Scandal, which consists in inducing others to do evil, is avoided when we respect the soul and body of the person. Anyone who deliberately leads others to commit serious sins himself commits a grave offense. (#473)

The Catechism Companion Vol III has some good commentary on this:

It is an absolute necessity to do everything we can by our own will and by God's grace to live out the faith we profess and to avoid sin as much as possible. We have a responsibility to the people around us, whatever our role is. Business leaders must display integrity, as should religious leaders or civic leaders. We have all been given some degree of influence. So we have to employ it to draw others to the truth and to the Lord. If, through these gifts that God has given us, we push our neighbor toward committing evil acts, we have committed scandal. (p. 112)