People have a right to their good names. In fact, it's a moral imperative defended by Church teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that "Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury." It goes on to describe the sins of rash judgment (leaping to conclusions), detraction (revealing sins of others to those who have no need to know), and calumny (lying). All of these are sins against justice and violating them demands the "duty of reparation." What does this consist of? According to CCC 2487, "This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience."Think of exactly how damaging a false accusation against a priest is! He is alter Christus! It is like crucifying Christ once again.
