The following extracts from the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas may be of interest and value to our readers. They are found in the Secunda Secundae.

Question 33. Article 4.

Whether a man is bound to correct his prelate.

Obj. 2. A gloss on Gal. II, 11 : ‘I withstood him to the face adds : as an equal. Therefore since a subject is not equal to his prelate, he ought not to correct him ....

.... I answer that a subject is not competent to administer to his prelate the correction which is an act of justice through the coercive nature of punishment.

But the fraternal correction which is an act of charity is within the competency of everyone in respect of any person towards whom he is bound by charity, provided there be something in that person which requires correction.

Now an act which proceeds from a habit or power extends to whatever is contained under the object of that power or habit. Thus vision extends to all things comprised in the object of sight. Since, however, a virtuous act needs to be moderated by due circumstances, it follows that when a subject corrects his prelate he ought to do so in a becoming manner; not with impudence and harshness, but with gentleness and respect. Hence the Apostle says (I Tim. v, 1), An ancient man rebuke not, but entreat as a father. Wherefore Dionysius finds fault with Demophilus, a monk (Ep. viii), for rebuking a priest with insolence by striking and turning him out of the church.