7 September 2020
Pope Francis has claimed that gossiping is a “plague worse than Covid” that is seeking to divide the Catholic Church during his Weekly Blessing. AP reports:
Francis strayed from his prepared text to double down on his frequent complaint about gossiping within church communities and even within the Vatican bureaucracy. Francis didn’t give specifics during his weekly blessing, but went on at some length to say the devil is the “biggest gossiper” who is seeking to divide the church with his lies.
“Please brothers and sisters, let’s try to not gossip,” he said. “Gossip is a plague worse than COVID. Worse. Let’s make a big effort: No gossiping!”
Francis’ comments came as he elaborated on a Gospel passage about the need to correct others privately when they do something wrong. The Mail Online reports:
During his comments, Pope Francis also elaborated on a Gospel passage about the need to correct others privately when they do something wrong.
The Catholic hierarchy has long relied on this ‘fraternal correction’ among priests and bishops to correct them when they err without airing problems in public.
Survivors of sexual abuse have said this form of private reprimand has allowed abuse to fester in the church and let both predator priests and superiors who covered up for them escape punishment.
When the leader of a church that has silenced scores of clergy sex abuse victims warns against "gossiping," it sounds an awful lot like spiritual abuse. Why don't more spiritual leaders teach on 1 Tim. 5:10 where it says to publicly expose sinning elders? https://t.co/MIgyzJpfbx
— Julie Roys (@reachjulieroys) September 6, 2020
Pope Francis: gossiping is ‘plague worse than Covid’
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