Many have argued that priests need to "preach the truth" by calling out evil in the world and condemning individuals to Hell for their public sins.
This style of preaching often leads to harsh rebukes during homilies, calling people derogatory names, while pointing out the error of their ways.
St. Francis de Sales was a strong advocate against harsh preaching, though he wasn't against speaking the truth.
He firmly believed that the truth needed to be spoken, and on occasion you may even have to rebuke someone who is leading others astray.
However, his approach was entirely different than many priests in his own time.
In the 19th-century collection, A Year with the Saints, St. Francis de Sales explains his approach to fraternal correction.
This same truth in expressed in a popular quote from St. Francis de Sales.
Interestingly, speaking the truth with gentleness was a struggle for St. Francis de Sales.
He possessed a very animated spirit and would often be tempted to lash out in anger. It took much strength and courage to control his temper and to rebuke others with gentleness.
Furthermore, he saw zeal and anger to be a deadly combination.
Being angry because of an injustice is not a sin, but that anger needs to be directed properly.
Otherwise, as St. Francis de Sales says, "Bitter, harsh, presumptuous, and insolent minds, serving their own inclinations, moods, dislikes, and arrogance, would cover their own injustice with a mantle of zeal."
Above all, priests should speak the truth, but harsh preaching shouldn't be the norm, lest it become "sour fruit" and "cause disease" rather than "nourishment."
