Article
When Must One Permit Scandals to Arise? A Comparison of Two Traditions
Irish Theological Quarterly
(2021)
Abstract
The essay argues that were a bishop to consult the treatment of scandal in the manuals of moral theology of the last several centuries, he could easily find rational justification for an ecclesial cover-up. Given the manualists’ overwhelming emphasis on avoiding scandal, Peter Cantor’s (d. 1197) triplex veritas—a threefold truth one may never abandon despite scandals arising—offers the beginning of a necessary corrective rationale. While not abandoning the insights of the manual writers altogether, the lost medieval tradition of the triplex veritas should be revived to correct the unidirectional rationale regarding the avoidance of scandal.
Keywords
- clerical abuse,
- doctrine,
- justice,
- life,
- manuals,
- moral theology,
- renewal,
- scandal,
- seminary,
- truth
Disciplines
Publication Date
June 8, 2021
DOI
10.1177/00211400211017692
Citation Information
Justin M. Anderson. "When Must One Permit Scandals to Arise? A Comparison of Two Traditions" Irish Theological Quarterly (2021) ISSN: 0021-1400 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/justin-anderson/18/