§ 6. On The Correction Of Sheep

2276. • I. The PASTOR is held, both from the office which he bears, and from the stipend which he receives, TO CORRECT, even with danger of life, his SUBJECTS who are in mortal sin, or in its proximate danger; and to this he is held not only in their extreme necessity, but also in their GRAVE necessity, whenever hope of amendment shines forth.¹⁷ - But how gravely this obligation of correction urges can be gathered from the following threat of the Lord (Ezek. 33:8): "If you have not spoken, so that the wicked man may keep himself from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood from your hand" (cf. n. 496, 3).

Hence, the Pastor is held to inquire and prudently correct those who live in sin: such as concubinaries, blasphemers, drunkards, those reading forbidden books or evil journals, those eating prohibited foods, those despising feasts, and especially those who do not satisfy the paschal precept. - Likewise, let him inquire concerning enmities and scandals which creep, especially between spouses, so that thus, as far as he can, he may meet them opportunely.¹⁸

Nor indeed for removing scandals and extirpating abuses do public corrections in church and salutary admonitions in the tribunal of Penance suffice: sometimes it is necessary that the pastor meet those sheep of his who follow a deviant life, and impel them by salutary admonitions to amendment of morals, as zeal and prudence shall suggest. Nor let him ever neglect to perform this office, because of human respect, before magnates; for someday he himself will render an account to the Supreme Judge for all the sheep committed to his care. - Recall what was said (n. 492 and sqq.) concerning fraternal correction.

2277. • II. The Pastor is held not only to take away sins and scandals from the midst, but also TO PREVENT those which afterward are foreseen as easily about to arise. - (Recall what was said n. 451; 824; 2256).

"If, all things having been weighed, both from the character of men, from the custom of the inhabitants, from the frequency of outsiders, and from other circumstances, the pious Pastor has known in the Lord that amendment cannot be hoped for even from repeated correction: rather than by voice, let him correct by his example and by his sufficiently open displeasure; lest at least he himself be heard badly by the other faithful, when they see the scandal continue, and the pastors, vexed by no trouble, no solicitude, but as if all things were prospering, live cheerfully, rejoicing as if by conniving."¹⁹