In those days it was by no means unusual to hear the parson publicly rebuking offenders - even calling them by name.
It was necessary for the organization to put someone in charge of rebuking those who did not follow their ordinances.
It was rare to see a parent rebuking their children in the tight-knit community; instead they were constantly encouraging their children.
The great bishop St Nicetius (528-566), who was banished for rebuking the vices of king Clotaire I.
His enemies accused him before a synod of French bishops (602) for keeping Easter according to the old British and now unorthodox way, and a more powerful conspiracy was organized against him at the court of Burgundy for boldly rebuking the crimes of King Theuderich II.
