Dear Editor, What Fr Radcliffe calls “act as police monitoring the lives of others” is usually called “admonish the sinner”. It is a work of mercy that can be difficult as sometimes the sinner doesn’t want to be admonished. Nevertheless for some, e.g., parents, godparents, priests, nuns, it is a duty. Thus, if a priest works with those “living in sin” he must tell them that by adultery or sodomy or whatever, they have separated themselves from Our Lord Jesus Christ. To be re-united to Him they must remove themselves from the sinful relationship, be sorry for their sin, confess their sins, do penance and amend their lives. This is true charity leading to the salvation of souls.
Yours,
Fr Edward F. MacDonald,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath.
