PUBLIC SINNERS
These are those who gravely and publicly offend the moral order. The Church, in her solicitude for souls, has always shown particular concern for such persons, providing for their spiritual needs while safeguarding the good of the community. This distinction is not new, at least with regard to occult sins (cf., e.g., can. 855).
The observations made thus far allow us to outline a course of action even for simple faithful. More than once they ask how they should behave toward those living in irregular situations (concubines, etc.), whether they may receive them, maintain relations with them, etc. They may receive and maintain relations insofar as this serves the good of the irregular persons without harming the spiritual welfare of other members of the community. If they decide to receive them, it should be done in a manner that aids them in extricating themselves from their painful situation, and with such caution that no one takes scandal or is encouraged to follow their bad example. If they decide not to receive them, it should be done in a way that does not foreclose the possibility of their conversion. As can be seen, these are indications that are theoretically simple. Even the most modest contact with reality and life demonstrates their difficulty with painful clarity. More than once it will not be easy to discern the proper course; it will be even more difficult to follow it faithfully. For this reason, it is of the utmost importance to cultivate sentiments of humility and love: the effort to love one’s neighbor must be constant, though the forms in which it is expressed may vary. And the same public penitent must accept with loving resignation the limitations mentioned above: by approaching and respecting them, he too will contribute to his own conversion and to the edification of his brothers.
Giovan Battista Guzzetti