IRRIISIONE. - It means derision, mockery, ridicule. It is the conduct of one who, by sarcasm expressed chiefly in the manner of laughing or speaking, intends to cause others to feel ashamed without any reason; in this respect it is an action distinct from insult, which attacks honour, from defamation, which attacks reputation, and from whispering, which attacks friendship.
It is clear that if someone, without however exceeding due bounds, intends to induce others to be ashamed of the evil they have committed, in order that they may amend themselves, he commits no sin, but rather performs an act of virtue; likewise, when due moderation is observed, jesting may amount to an act of eutrapelia (Sum. Theol., 2°-2°, q. 72, a. 2, ad 1). But when the intention is to induce someone to feel ashamed, i. is a sin of injustice, almost a violation of the person. This sin, if what is ridiculed is grave and important, is likewise a grave sin: thus it is a grave fault to ridicule the faith, parents, good qualities, etc.; in other cases there may more easily be venial fault.