What's Wrong with Gossip?

From Catholic Exchange:

The topic of gossip is also on the mind of Pope Francis as well.  Since his election less than two months ago, the Pontiff has already spoken three times about the dangerous consequences of gossip.  In a recent homily in the chapel of the Vatican’s Santa Marta, Pope Francis said, “When one prefers gossiping – gossiping about another, it’s like clobbering another.  This is normal, it happens to everyone, including me – it is a temptation of the evil one who does not want the Spirit to come and bring about peace and meekness in the Christian community.”  The Pope went on to say, “The struggle against such harmful chatter is something that continually sows tensions in parishes, families, in neighborhoods and among friends.”

The Bible is also very clear about gossip – “Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people” (Leviticus 19:16). Likewise the Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks to the importance of refraining from actions such as gossiping that can tarnish the reputation of another–

“Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury” (Para. 2477). Gossiping involves the sin of detraction in which a person discloses another’s faults and failings to someone who did not know them. Therefore, one commits the sin of detraction when he makes known the faults of another without a very good reason for doing so.  Further, it can be a serious moral offense if it does great harm to another’s reputation by having his or her faults spread about when they otherwise would not be.

Gossip can be true, partially true, or completely false and while it can be motivated by good intentions, it always contains negative personal information about another that puts them in a bad light.  Similarly, we can also participate in gossip by remaining silent or using approving body language such as nodding our head in agreement. (Read entire article.)

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