
In Christian theology, a mortal sin is a grave violation of God's law that destroys charity in the heart of the sinner and turns them away from God. It is a sin that leads to damnation if the sinner does not repent before death. The concept of mortal sin is found in both Catholicism and Lutheranism. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines a mortal sin as one that is committed with grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. These three conditions must be met for a sin to be considered mortal. Examples of mortal sins include idolatry, heresy, blasphemy, murder, adultery, and sexual relations outside of marriage. Mortal sins are distinguished from venial sins, which are less serious offenses that do not require confession for absolution.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Definition | A mortal sin is a gravely sinful act which can lead to damnation if a person does not repent before death. |
Comparison to Venial Sin | Mortal sins are considered more serious than venial sins as they sever one's relationship with God and require confession to be absolved. |
Conditions | For a sin to be considered mortal, three conditions must be met: the sin must be of grave matter, the sinner must have full knowledge, and the sinner must give deliberate consent. |
Examples | Examples of mortal sins include idolatry, heresy, atheism, abortion, euthanasia, suicide, murder, theft, rape, and adultery. |
Consequences | If not redeemed by repentance and God's forgiveness, a mortal sin results in exclusion from Christ's kingdom and eternal death in hell. |
What You'll Learn
What is a mortal sin?
A mortal sin is a "gravely sinful act" in Christian theology that can lead to damnation if a person does not repent before death. The concept of mortal sin is found in Catholicism and Lutheranism.
Mortal sin is defined as a "grave violation of God's law" that turns a person away from God. It is a deliberate act, committed with full knowledge of its gravity and with the full consent of the sinner's will. It is considered a rejection of God and destroys charity in the heart of the sinner.
Three conditions must be met for a sin to be considered mortal:
- Grave Matter: The sin must be a serious offence against God's law. The Catechism of the Catholic Church specifies that grave matter is outlined by the Ten Commandments. Examples include sacrilege, blasphemy, perjury, murder, sexual relations outside of marriage, and adulation that encourages another's vices or grave sins.
- Full Knowledge: The sinner must be fully aware that the act is evil and a violation of God's law.
- Deliberate Consent: The sinner must freely consent to the evil act, even if they do not explicitly wish to offend God.
Mortal sins are considered more severe than venial sins, which are lesser offences that do not destroy one's relationship with God. While venial sins weaken the relationship with God, they do not constitute a deliberate turning away from Him and can be atoned for without confession. Mortal sins, on the other hand, require sacramental confession and repentance for forgiveness and absolution.
Examples of mortal sins include:
- Worshipping false gods, idolatry, and atheism
- Abortion, euthanasia, suicide, murder, and manslaughter
- Marital infidelity, pornography, fornication, prostitution, and rape
- Stealing, theft, and robbery
- Blasphemy and taking the Lord's name in vain
- Oppressing the poor and defrauding workers of their wages
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What is a venial sin?
In Roman Catholic theology, a venial sin is a sin that is relatively slight and does not completely block the inflow of sanctifying grace. It is committed without full reflection or consent. While a venial sin weakens the sinner's union with God, it does not wholly destroy their relationship with Him.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church identifies two types of venial sin. The first type of venial sin is committed when an individual fails to observe the standard prescribed by the moral law in a less serious matter. In other words, if one does something immoral, but the matter is not serious enough to be gravely immoral, they have committed a venial sin. For example, deliberate hatred can be a venial sin or a mortal sin depending on the seriousness of the hatred. The Catechism explains that hatred of a neighbour is a grave sin when one deliberately desires them grave harm.
The second type of venial sin involves situations in which the matter is serious enough to be gravely immoral, but the offence lacks at least one of the other essential elements required for mortal sin. This type of venial sin is committed when an individual disobeys the moral law in a grave matter but without full knowledge or without complete consent. An example of this could be masturbation.
Examples of venial sins include gossip, impatience, or a failure to pray. Venial sins are usually contrasted with mortal sins, which are the gravest of sins and represent a deliberate turning away from God.
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What are the three conditions of a mortal sin?
The three conditions that must be met for a sin to be considered mortal are that the sin concerns "grave matter", it is committed with "full knowledge", and it is committed with "deliberate consent".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines "grave matter" as "grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments, corresponding to the answer of Jesus to the rich young man: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honour your father and mother.'. The gravity of sins is more or less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a stranger.
"Full knowledge" refers to having full knowledge (and awareness) of the sinful action and the gravity of the offence. "Deliberate consent" means that the sin is committed with deliberate and complete consent.
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What are some examples of mortal sins?
The concept of mortal sin is found in Catholicism and Lutheranism. A mortal sin is a gravely sinful act that can lead to damnation if a person does not repent before death. Three conditions must be met for a sin to be considered mortal: it must involve grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent.
- Worshipping false gods, including idolatry, sacrilege, and atheism.
- Acts that violate the sanctity of life, such as abortion, euthanasia, suicide, murder, and manslaughter.
- Marital infidelity, including pornography, fornication, prostitution, and rape.
- Theft, including robbery and stealing great amounts.
- The seven deadly sins: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth.
- Taking advantage of the poor, such as defrauding workers of their wages or oppressing the vulnerable.
- Blasphemy or using the name of God in vain.
- Missing Sunday Mass without a valid reason or engaging in unnecessary work on Sundays.
- Denying your workers a fair wage.
- Getting drunk or intoxicated.
- Denying the Catholic faith or engaging in occult practices, such as tarot cards or Ouija boards.
- Skipping Friday penance, which was traditionally observed as a day of fasting in Christianity.
- Receiving Holy Communion while in a state of mortal sin.
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How can a mortal sin be absolved?
The concept of mortal sin is found in both Catholicism and Lutheranism. A mortal sin is a gravely sinful act that can lead to damnation if a person does not repent before death. It is considered "mortal" when it leads to a separation from God's saving grace.
Mortal sins are absolved through the Sacrament of Penance, also known as confession. This sacrament involves an act of contrition, or sincere repentance, for the mortal sin committed. The penitent must confess the specific offence and express a resolution to sin no more. The priest then imparts absolution, forgiving the sin in the name of the Holy Trinity.
The effectiveness of absolution depends on the penitent's sincerity in their contrition and their commitment to sin no more. Perfect contrition, or sincere remorse coupled with a firm resolution to avoid sin in the future, can restore a person's relationship with God and His saving grace, even outside the Sacrament of Penance. However, Catholics who are aware of Christ's institution of the sacrament are expected to confess their mortal sins and receive absolution.
In addition to absolution, certain mortal sins may require formal processes for forgiveness and the lifting of Church penalties. These processes may involve the Pope, the local Bishop, or a priest authorised by the Bishop, depending on the seriousness of the sin.
Mortal sins are distinct from venial sins, which do not completely sever a person's relationship with God and can be forgiven through acts of penance and contrition.
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