Yet the Church and its membership must be protected from the dark and cloudy influences of soul-destroying sin. Some sins in this category are highly infectious and contagious, and if allowed to continue undetected or undisclosed could drain the Church of spirituality and cause the heavens to withdraw themselves. Such transgressions frequently require that justice be promptly exercised even while the transgressor is being encouraged to repent and return to the right path.Subject always to the inspiration of the appropriate priesthood leader in individual cases, profligate sexual transgression, serious violation of the laws of the land, sins involving moral turpitude, and apostasy from the Church are examples.
Priesthood leaders who ignore or wink at such violations of the law and order of the kingdom of God do so at the peril of their own salvation (and, of the transgressor’s) and to the spiritual loss of those under their charge. Our care and concern for the transgressor must be equalled by our care and concern for the integrity of the Church and for the purity and safety of those seeking to be faithful. “Supposed mercy” must never be allowed to become an ally to sin by denying the realities and necessity of justice.