Thomas Aquinas
1225–1274
Dominican friar whose Summa Theologiae is the fullest synthesis of Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy.
In his own words
Now we are bound by the precept of charity to beware lest our brother become worse. Therefore the order of fraternal correction comes under the precept. I answer that, With regard to the public denunciation of sins it is necessary to make a distinction: because sins may be either public or secret. In the case of public sins, a remedy is required not only for the sinner, that he may become better, but also for others, who know of his sin, lest they be scandalized. Wherefore such like sins should be denounced in public, according to the saying of the Apostle (1 Tim. 5:20): "Them that sin reprove before all, that the rest also may have fear," which is to be understood as referring to public sins, as Augustine states (De Verb. Dom. xvi, 7).
Quoted verbatim from the library, as an answer would quote it.
What we hold of him
Summa Theologica
Church father
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