A Fine Sermon

The pastor began to greet the congregation at the back of the church after Mass. One man came out and told the pastor, "That was a damn fine sermon, Pastor." The pastor shook the man's hand and said, "I thank you for the compliment, but not the language."

The man continued, "Yes, sir. That was such a damn fine sermon that I put a check for $1,000 into the collection basket." The priest put his arm around the man's shoulders and said, "The hell you say!"

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Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:

-by participating, directly and voluntarily in them;
-by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them;
-by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so;
-by protecting evil-doers. (Catholic Catechism Par. 1868)