Canonical and pastoral considerations on the crimes of defamation and slander in the Church

Abstract

Among the various crimes of falsehood that canonical criminal law typifies in can. 1390 are those of slanderous accusation and offence against the good reputation of the neighbor. The article displays the canonical regulation of the right to good reputation of the faithful in the Church, and how defamation and slander perform real criminal behavior against people’s dignity and honor. A reflection is developed on the pastoral implications that these crimes have for the ecclesial community and the canonical measures that pastors are able to take to protect the faithful’s honor and good reputation in the Church. As behaviors that seriously pollute relationships inside and outside the Church, they must be fought hard, especially in a world where good image is as valued as it is vulnerable.