St. Augustine’s Sermon 46.9 on the Harmful Example of Wicked Pastors

 

In Sermon 46.9, Saint Augustine addresses the moral responsibility of pastors and the danger of setting a bad example. He warns that when a pastor lives in a way that is contrary to the Gospel, their actions can have a corrupting influence on the people they are meant to lead. Augustine emphasizes that the soul is not only shaped by doctrine but also by the visible conduct of those entrusted with spiritual authority.

He argues that a pastor’s life is a mirror to the congregation. If a pastor is dishonest, unfaithful, or morally compromised, the people who witness such behavior may be led astray. Augustine sees this as a form of spiritual harm — a “bad example” that can poison the moral life of those who see it, weakening their faith and drawing them into sin. This is especially dangerous because the congregation often looks to the pastor as a model of virtue.

Augustine’s concern is that the example of a pastor is not just symbolic but has real, lasting effects on the soul. He warns against the temptation to think that moral instruction alone is enough, when in fact the pastor’s own life must be consistent with the teachings they preach. If the example is bad, it can “kill the souls” of those who witness it — meaning it can destroy their spiritual vitality and lead them away from God.

Saint Augustine, in his celebrated *Confessions*, condemns homosexuality.