Can one commit mortal sin without knowing it?

[VociMike]

Not in terms of the precise phrase “ohh, that was a mortal sin”, but perhaps in terms of “what I just did was evil”.

What do you think, in the case of a non-Catholic or totally lapsed Catholic?

What about a sorta-Catholic?

And what about a serious, orthodox Catholic?

 

[DeFide]

VociMike:

Not in terms of the precise phrase “ohh, that was a mortal sin”, but perhaps in terms of “what I just did was evil”.

What do you think, in the case of a non-Catholic or totally lapsed Catholic?

What about a sorta-Catholic?

And what about a serious, orthodox Catholic?

Of course. You don’t need to know the term “mortal sin” to seriously sin (if that’s what you’re getting at). God gives us the intellect of morality (conscience) for a reason.

 

[VociMike]

DeFide:

Of course. You don’t need to know the term “mortal sin” to seriously sin (if that’s what you’re getting at). God gives us the intellect of morality (conscience) for a reason.

Right, I know one doesn’t need to know or think “mortal sin” to commit mortal sin. I’m just wondering if one can commit a mortal sin without knowing that they have committed a mortal sin (or a grave evil, if you like). Can one be in a state of mortal sin and not know it? If so, under what circumstances?

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

There are three criteria that make a sin a mortal sin.

1. The act in itself is grave.
2. The person has knowledge of the gravity of the sin.
3. The person commits that sin with full consent of the will.

The first criteria never changes. The sin is either grave of it isn’t.
However, if a person doesn’t have knowledge of the evil nature, then the sin will only be venial.

Don’t take any chances, if you know someone doesn’t know a sin is grave and you do, you have an obligation to inform them.

I hope this helps.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

VociMike:

Not in terms of the precise phrase “ohh, that was a mortal sin”, but perhaps in terms of “what I just did was evil”.

What do you think, in the case of a non-Catholic or totally lapsed Catholic?

What about a sorta-Catholic?

And what about a serious, orthodox Catholic?

Yes someone can commit a serious (mortal) sin and not realize it at the time, however without free will and full knowledge it is not held fully against them as a Mortal sin. The action itself is still a seriously sinful act and when understood as such should be confessed in the next Confession.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

DeFide:

Of course. You don’t need to know the term “mortal sin” to seriously sin (if that’s what you’re getting at). God gives us the intellect of morality (conscience) for a reason.

There’s a difficulty about the phrase “serious sin”:​

• Sometimes it’s used to mean “mortal sin”
• Sometimes, to mean more serious kinds of venial sin

Taking the question as asked, I don’t see how one can possibly commit mortal sin wiytthout being very well aware of it. Mortal sin is not just serious - it is a form of telling God one hates Him. Only hatred of God can destroy the life of grace in the heart - and the special evil of mortal sin, is that it does exactly that. I don’t see how one can do something that serious, and not know it. Not knowing, is a sign one has not done it. ##

 

[Liberian]

Mike,

I think the answer is no, because part of the sin being mortal is that the person committing it must know that it is s grave matter.

On the other hand, there is someone I know slightly who told me that she was engaged in some activities. “I know I’m going to hell over it,” she said wistfully, “but I do them anyway.” (I’m praying for her, by the way.) I would submit that a lot of people know somewhere in their consciousness that what they are doing is evil but they hide it from themselves.

• Liberian

 

[VociMike]

Liberian:

Mike,

I think the answer is no, because part of the sin being mortal is that the person committing it must know that it is s grave matter.

Yes, I think this is the case also. However, I wonder if it is possible for some people to have such malformed consciences that they don’t know. But in that case, there must have been earlier sins, before their consciences were so distorted, that they did know were mortal, or gravely evil.

 

[petra]

VociMike:

Not in terms of the precise phrase “ohh, that was a mortal sin”, but perhaps in terms of “what I just did was evil”.

What do you think, in the case of a non-Catholic or totally lapsed Catholic?

What about a sorta-Catholic?

And what about a serious, orthodox Catholic?

As others have pointed out, one of the requirements for mortal sin is “the person has knowledge of the gravity of the sin.” However, that does not mean the person need be familiar with the term “mortal sin.” Natural law has been written upon the heart of every person (implying that sufficient knowledge exists), so a serious sin against natural law is a mortal sin whether that person be Catholic, Protestant, or non-Christian.

Also, while mortal sin effectively rejects God, someone committing mortal sin may not be consciously rejecting Him. It is possible one’s self-will can have such a large place in his life, the thought of God never enters his mind. So I take issue with the point that only hatred or conscious rejection of God constitutes mortal sin. Indifference, coupled with a serious sin can do the same.

As someone else pointed out, it does get a bit ambiguous out there in non-Catholic land. That illustrates the fact that, as Catholics, we are so very blessed to have the fullness of Christian doctrine and the actual graces found in the sacraments.

petra

 

[petra]

VociMike:

Yes, I think this is the case also. However, I wonder if it is possible for some people to have such malformed consciences that they don’t know. But in that case, there must have been earlier sins, before their consciences were so distorted, that they did know were mortal, or gravely evil.

We are all born with our consciences intact and an internal awareness of natural law. But it is possible that one’s conscience can be seared and deformed, as you describe. God will “give people over” to sin (Romans 1:24-32) with repeated serious sin. After one’s conscience is seared and deformed, they may not feel pangs of guilt anymore and may not have conscious knowledge of sin, but such people would already be in a state of separation from God, due to their initial choices which seared their conscience. So it is sort of a moot point as to whether sins in their later state cause them to be in mortal sin–they are already in mortal sin.