Definitive list of mortal sins?

[DL82]

Is there a definitive list of what is and is not grave matter, and consequently what is and is not a mortal sin?

If so, can someone please post a link to it.

The thread on ‘new’ mortal sins got me thinking, but I didn’t want to hijack that.

I’m a new Catholic, and I get different messages from different people about what mortal sin actually means.

Somebody suggested that it comes down to the commandments, for example, Our Lord said that whoever hates his brother has already committed murder in his heart, but if I hate someone that isn’t mortal sin, it’s only if I actually break the literal thing the commandment says, i.e. kill somebody, then it becomes mortal sin. That doesn’t seem right to me, and it’s not a distinction I find in the gospels. It also doesn’t explain why something like missing mass is a mortal sin.

Also, does mortal sin have to be consummated? For example, if I plan to commit adultery, meet the person I’m going to commit it with, get naked and get into bed, then stop and run home, is it mortal sin? What if the other person stops and runs away, so I have no choice but to not commit the act? Is it mortal sin even though it didn’t get consummated? Can there be mortal sins that are purely mental, and never physically happen?

 

[rwoehmke]

Moderator should move this to morality forum.

 

[drafdog]

While you’re at it get a complete copy of the federal and state statutes and read through them to make sure that you don’t commit a felony by accident.

Matthew

 

[rpp]

Is there a definitive list of what is and is not grave matter, and consequently what is and is not a mortal sin?

If so, can someone please post a link to it.

The thread on ‘new’ mortal sins got me thinking, but I didn’t want to hijack that.

I’m a new Catholic, and I get different messages from different people about what mortal sin actually means.

Somebody suggested that it comes down to the commandments, for example, Our Lord said that whoever hates his brother has already committed murder in his heart, but if I hate someone that isn’t mortal sin, it’s only if I actually break the literal thing the commandment says, i.e. kill somebody, then it becomes mortal sin. That doesn’t seem right to me, and it’s not a distinction I find in the gospels. It also doesn’t explain why something like missing mass is a mortal sin.

Also, does mortal sin have to be consummated? For example, if I plan to commit adultery, meet the person I’m going to commit it with, get naked and get into bed, then stop and run home, is it mortal sin? What if the other person stops and runs away, so I have no choice but to not commit the act? Is it mortal sin even though it didn’t get consummated? Can there be mortal sins that are purely mental, and never physically happen?

The late Father John Hardon, SJ, wrote a very nice and easy book, A Pocket Catechism (get it here). While it touches upon nearly all of what the Church teaches, it certainly discusses the subject of sin. It is particularly helpful for those new to the Church or who were not well catechized. It is a very easy read.

If you are just looking for a bulleted list, I think you will be disappointed. Accurate lists do not exist. And making such a list is much more complicated than it first appears.

For example, it is not enough to say, “do not kill another person”. What about a tragic accident? What about a just war like WWII? What about self defense? What about end of life issues?

And that is just one sin.

Take a look at Father Hardon’s book. I would also suggest that you get a copy of the Catechism and peruse it. There is a section that follows the 10 commandments; discussin each one at great length. That might get you moving in the right direction.