Should we be troubled by the presence of corrupt people in the Church?

The answer

Origen clarifies the presence of wicked people in the Church, saying, “We should not be surprised if it becomes clear to us, before the commissioned angels begin to separate the wicked from among the righteous, that our gatherings have wicked ones also.”⁹⁵⁹

As St. John Chrysostom says, “Do not be troubled by the presence of corrupt and wicked people. In a large house there are both types of pots … but they cannot obtain dignity.” “Alas for their utter madness! Was there need of a sign before they could cease their evil doings, and free the house of God from such dishonor? And was it not the greatest sign of His Excellence that He had gotten such zeal for that House? In fact, the well-disposed were distinguished by this very thing, for ‘They,’ His disciples, it says, ‘Remembered that it is written, “the zeal of your house has eaten me up.”’ But the Jews did not remember the Prophecy and said, ‘What sign do You show us?’ both grieving that their shameful traffic was cut off, and expecting by these means to stop Him, and also desiring to challenge Him to a miracle, and to find fault with what He was doing.”⁹⁶⁰

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty