Carol,

Fraternal correction implies brotherhood, a shared kinship, as in the Christian brotherhood, so there is a distinction between witnessing and admonishment.

You can admonish someone you know when they are violating the covenant they have as a believer, conversely to a non-Christian, you can witness to the truth, the right, and the good, but you do not share kinship. The effectiveness of that witness depends on a host of things, not least of which is the other person's openness to hear and receive the truth. So if a boss asks for your opinion, you can say,

As the Catholic I don't believe in artificial insemination, because we believe that the conjugal act is integral to the morality of how children are conceived.

If she has a follow up question, you can go further, etc. That is the basis for a good witness but don't hit her with everything at once. Test the waters with a statement like that to see if it can provoke more discussion around our understanding of faith and morality.

Talking with a Catholic/Christian you can say,

• Aren't you Catholic? You know that taking the Lord's Name like that is wrong, right?
  . . . or whatever the scandalous (words|behavior) are.

Sometimes it may be ignorance, sometimes it may be laziness that causes their misdoings, but if you are moved, you can speak up. Especially if the person is a professing/practicing Catholic or Christian.

How and when any of this takes place requires discernment and gentleness, and you must add that you care about the person and that is why you are bringing it to their attention.

If you go the Lord first and seek Him to know whether you should speak, you will be able to assure your conscience that you are not culpable for remaining silent; He will give you the push, the strength, and the wisdom to do it well when He wants you to.

He may also impress you to sit it out and lay low by saying nothing.

Just make it about doing what the Spirit wants and you'll solve each dilemma as they come.

Peace,

Bob Kirby