It isn't a matter of being hard on struggling believers. It is a matter of being consistent on theological principles. One cannot preach against lying and then simply ignore lying within the church. One cannot preach a holiness and allow corruption to fester in their mist. People in the church should be aghast. This was the position of the Corinthians that Paul condemned in 1 Cor 5 calling the Corinthians "puffed up" when they should be mourning.
But.... 2Co 7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. 2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
No, no no Harley! You can’t start quoting scripture!
And whatever you do, don’t look to scripture where it compares circumcision to baptism. And uncircumcision, SKIP THAT PART! And definitely skip all that about human tradition, oh my! Too confusing without a inspired interpreter... (which none of the Catholics here are, unless that cheeky Freeper BennyXVI has finally unlurked.)
Rather turn to canon law, and the vast, unconfusing, unending and constantly revised, dust covered volumes of what the Roman Catholic Church has taught from the time of Peter the First (except when it didn’t... just ignore that part.)
/sarc off
Yes, the principle is the issue.