No, it is not a sin.
The Catechism says lying is always a grave offence.
Respectfully, these posts are incorrect. Lying is intrinsically evil.
Respectfully, I think that your post is incorrect.
Perhaps you didn’t read the part of the OP’s post which is relevant here. I will quote it below:
So the intention is fine; no sin there. But the OP admits that he spoke an untruth (read: “lie”) in order to bring about the desired effect (that is, not telling these new acquaintances where he lives yet).
I doubt that you really want to open that can of worms about what constitutes a “lie.”
A few years ago, I used to hold your position. There are many scholars who write about mental reservations or about lying to those who “don’t deserve” to know the information after which they inquire.
So, no, I don’t have to open the “can of worms” about the definition of a lie; the Church already did.
And if we look at the example given by the OP in this thread, it certainly applies.Unfortunately, the catechism falls short on several subjects with the section on “lying” being one of them. The Catholic Encyclopedia’s article on a “lie” is a much more thorough treatment of the Church’s position than what is presented in the catechism. In fact, the original version of the catechism stated that one could withhold information from “those who have no right to know,” but this particular statement was omitted in the 2nd edition. Does that mean the Church changed her mind? Hopefully not, because that was always the teaching of the Church, much like how the Church has always taught that the death penalty was a legitimate form of punishment by legitimate authority which has now been revamped by the catechism. The catechism is a summation of the position of the Church in regard to faith and morals but it is not, in itself, the ultimate authority.A few years ago, I used to hold your position. There are many scholars who write about mental reservations or about lying to those who “don’t deserve” to know the information after which they inquire.
However, upon further inquiry, I learned that the Church’s teaching about lying is actually quite straightforward: Lying is, itself, a violation of God’s will, whatever the circumstances.
The following passages from the CCC define lying: (emphasis mine)
So, no, I don’t have to open the “can of worms” about the definition of a lie; the Church already did.
It is true that the topic is complex, but the fact that lying is intrinsically evil is still true, and as I can see, nothing you have said in this post denies that (therefore I assume you do not refute that fact).
Then what do we make of the future Pope John XXIII who was in a basement in Istanbul during WWII forging baptismal certificates to prevent Jews from being arrested and shipped off to a concentration camp? Is it really a sin against Justice to prevent the willful and determined destruction of innocent life by misleading those who are operating outside of the natural law?
The Baltimore Catechism
That doesn’t really answer anything, does it?
I have confessed “white lie” before. The priest said if I did not want to answer a question, don’t answer, but don’t say something not true.