The Meaning of Catholic

Uniting Catholics against the enemies of Holy Church

Internet Promise

  1. I will never speak a word on the Internet that is not in accord with truth and charity: truth, in that every word will accord with the thing as it is (as far as I know), and charity, in that it wills the good of my brother for the sake of God. As it is written, Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it on the day of judgment (Matt. xii. 36).
  2. I will always accept and welcome correction. As it is written, The way of life, to him that observeth correction: but he that forsaketh reproofs, goeth astray (Prov. x. 17).
  3. I will never say a dishonorable word regarding any superior whether ecclesiastical, natural or political: honor, as witnessing to the excellence of an office (ST II-II q103 a1). As it is written, The prince of thy people thou shalt not curse (Ex. xxii. 28).
  4. If I am constrained by truth and charity to speak of evil among my superiors, I will do so only out of necessity (that is, when the faith is endangered) while maintaining due honor to the office according to the Scripture, An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat him as a father (I Tim. v. 1).[1]
  5. I will never say anything profane or vulgar as it is written, But now put you also all away: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech out of your mouth (Col. iii. 8).[2]

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[1]ST II-II q33 a4: “It must be observed, however, that if the faith were endangered, a subject ought to rebuke his prelate even publicly. Hence Paul, who was Peter’s subject, rebuked him in public, on account of the imminent danger of scandal concerning faith, and, as the gloss of Augustine says on Gal. 2:11, ‘Peter gave an example to superiors, that if at any time they should happen to stray from the straight path, they should not disdain to be reproved by their subjects.’”

[2]Profanity profanes what is a sacred, for example when men speak blithely of the action or place of God’s eternal justice. Vulgarity is against modesty by speaking of private or unclean things with vulgar words. For an explication of the Church’s moral doctrine on this matter, see Fr. Chad Ripperger, “Language.”