To All Clergy, Religious, and Faithful in Christ,
Beloved Brethren,
Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).
It is of the utmost necessity that the Church once again raise her voice in defence of truth and integrity, for these virtues lie at the very heart of the Christian vocation. In every generation, but especially in our own, falsehood has become normalised and deceit is often excused under the guise of convenience, politics, or gain. Yet our Lord declared, “Let your communication be, Yes, yes; No, no: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37). Truth is not a negotiable ideal; it is the very nature of God. To depart from truth, in any form, is to depart from Him.
The world has become a place where words are twisted, promises broken, and truth treated as subjective. In such an environment, the disciple of Christ must be a tower of integrity, standing firm in honesty even when falsehood offers ease or reward. As the Psalmist writes, “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:2) is the one who dwells in the presence of the Lord. Integrity is not a mask to be worn when convenient, but a manner of being consistent with faith in every circumstance.
Truthfulness in speech reflects truthfulness in the heart. The Christian cannot serve the God of Truth while living by deceit, gossip, manipulation, or hypocrisy. Lies, whether spoken openly or concealed through omission, corrode the soul and divide the Body of Christ. Every act of dishonesty, however small, is a seed of corruption that distances one from the divine light. Conversely, the habit of honesty purifies the conscience, brings peace of mind, and fosters trust within families, communities, and nations.
Public life, in particular, demands moral rectitude. Those who hold office, exercise influence, or command authority bear a sacred duty to speak and act with integrity. The misuse of power through deceit, corruption, or self-interest is a betrayal of the divine trust upon which all governance rests. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20). A society that tolerates dishonesty in its leaders, commerce, or institutions invites decay from within.
Private life, too, must reflect the same integrity. In the home, in the marketplace, and in the heart’s secret thoughts, we are called to sincerity—to speak plainly, act justly, and live transparently before our Lord. Parents must teach their children that truth is not a burden but a blessing; that integrity may cost much in the moment but yields eternal reward. The Church herself must be an example of openness and accountability, for hypocrisy among the faithful wounds the Gospel and discredits the witness of Christ before the world.
We therefore exhort all believers to examine their consciences in light of the Commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:16), and to renew their commitment to live as children of the Light. Let words be weighed before spoken, promises kept once made, and dealings conducted without deceit. Let the seal of baptism—by which we are marked as Christ’s own—be honoured in both speech and deed.
To those who have stumbled through dishonesty or hypocrisy, the mercy of Christ remains open. Repentance restores integrity, for He Who is Truth itself forgives those who turn to Him with contrite hearts. Let confession be the path to renewal, and let forgiveness become the foundation of reconciled community.
May the Holy Spirit, Who is the Spirit of Truth, enlighten our minds, strengthen our resolve, and make us a people whose word is trustworthy, whose conduct is honourable, and whose hearts are steadfast in righteousness. In this, the world may see the light of Christ reflected in His servants, and know that truth still dwells among men.
Given this day under my hand and seal, at Nashville, Tennessee, this 13th day of October, in the Year of Our Lord 2025.
+ Mar Mattai