Day 322: Respect for Truth

Charity and respect for the truth should dictate the response to every request for information or communication. the good and safety of others, respect for privacy, and the common good are sufficient reasons for being silent about what ought not be known or for making use of a discreet language. the duty to avoid scandal often commands strict discretion. No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it. CCC 2489

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses respect for truth in light of the requirements of the Eighth Commandment. Whenever we speak or communicate to others in some other fashion, truth should be what we convey, not lies or slander. This does not mean that we should place others in jeopardy of harm by doing so; in such cases, silence is often the best course of action. Indeed, there are many times when "silence is golden," be it to protect the reputation of others, guard professional secrets, etc. (Sir 27:16-18). This has become challenging in the Age of the Internet, especially with social media, but honesty, charity, and respect are still called for.

The Catechism Compendium summarizes what is required by the Eighth Commandment:

The eighth commandment requires respect for the truth accompanied by the discretion of charity in the field of communication and the imparting of information, where the personal and common good, the protection of privacy and the danger of scandal must all be taken into account; in respecting professional secrets which must be kept, save in exceptional cases for grave and proportionate reasons; and also in respecting confidences given under the seal of secrecy. (#524)

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

We do not always have to say what we think or what we know to be the truth. "No one is bound to reveal the truth to someone who does not have the right to know it" (CCC 2489). A priest may never violate the seal of the confessional and reveal the sins he has been told... We must be vigilant in our consumption of media... We ask the Lord to help us to know the truth, to live the truth, to walk in freedom, and to help our brothers and sisters walk in truth and freedom as well. (p. 160)