The Practice of ‘Fraternal Correction’: Theological Grounds and Confessional-Cultural Specificity

Fraternal correction (“correctio/correptio fraterna”), or love-motivated edification of the sin­ner, aimed at his repentance and based on gospel fragment Matt. 18:15–17, was a part everyday practices in early Christian monastic communities; later it re­ceived theological interpretation justification writings Augustine, Alexander Hales, Thomas Aquinas, William Ockham, Jean Gerson, Modern scholastics. The canonical thought different epochs turned to this topic often con­nection with specific socio-political circumstances events church life. Despite di­versity points view, fraternal understood as positive prescription, for fulfillment which certain conditions are necessary: their absence makes possible refrain from edifying sinner; some situations, is even morally unacceptable re­sort procedure. In literature laity, prescription cor­rection has appeared since 13th century; over next centuries, be­comes more categorical, times, turns into an uncondi­tional duty: failure fulfill duty regarded sin subject confession. procedure described 18:15–17 also becomes one forms horizontal moral reform modern societies, used by Protestant denominations jus­tify practice censorship morals activities courts (consistories), give legitimacy situations denunciation both Catholic communities.