Discerning if a Sin is Mortal

[Bookcat]

PS: Of course I should add that one still may not be right that one has in fact made an act of perfect contrition…

but we should entrust ourselves to the love of Jesus and get to confession quick

 

[una_fides]

As to doctrine developing – they do develop and and understanding can deepen that will can be at odds with how some understood them in the past…for people can have limited understandings…

Here is the definition with which I hope we would both agree:

             Vatican I – Infallible

Hence, too, that meaning of the sacred dogmas is ever to be maintained which has once been declared by holy mother church, and there must never be any abandonment of this sense under the pretext or in the name of a more profound understanding.
May understanding, knowledge and wisdom increase as ages and centuries roll along, and greatly and vigorously flourish, in each and all, in the individual and the whole church: but this only in its own proper kind, that is to say, in the same doctrine, the same sense, and the same understanding.
3. If anyone says that
• it is possible that at some time, given the advancement of knowledge, a sense may be assigned to the dogmas propounded by the church which is different from that which the church has understood and understands:
let him be anathema.
http://www.piar.hu/councils/ecum20.htm#4.%20On%20faith%20and%20reason

 

[una_fides]

it is important always to “think with the Church”…

To “think with the Church” properly would be to think as she has always thought and in union with the teachings she has handed down. Just because something is “new” does not make it better or superior or somehow “more developed.” In fact, the “new” theology that emerged after the Council promulgated by so many priests and bishops was nothing short of modernist heresies, but that is another topic for another thread.

 

[una_fides]

So getting back to the question of Perfect Contrition…it is interesting to note that the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Compendium do NOT state that it is so difficult that “few” can make one…and even the Baltimore Catechism of old does not say this…nor the Catechism of Pope (St) Pius X.

In fact they all seem to take it for granted that one can make this act (which is by grace after all…) and the latter one encourages one to make on EVERY NIGHT.

…so I wonder what degree of authority that comment has…for this statement is not part of the Council of Trent as far I can tell…(and I doubt it is defined) …and actually it should be noted that the context was trying to exhort persons to go to confession…
so it may not carry much weight in light of the rest…

so this is a good question for certainly in practice I do not find it repeated in these important Catechism’ of the 19th and 20th Centuries…so it may be the case that the Church does not intend to assert this as the case …for some things again …deepen in understanding etc.

You will see it is NOT repeated…but rather it is inferred that one can make such an act …and not just a few…

Actually the Baltimore Catechism (which is not really that “old” at all - mid to late 1800s) does contain text that indicates the difficulty of attaining perfect contrition. See my earlier post here.

Again, I’m not saying that it’s extremely difficult for all Catholics or anything like that. I’m just saying for most it doesn’t come that easy, certainly not naturally. One must be completely and totally opened up to God and his love and detest every sin with his entire will. Most people when they make acts of contrition simply don’t reach this spiritual heights. But the more we can instruct people as to how they can make acts of perfect contrition–as the Catechism from the Council of Trent aptly and thoroughly does–the more they will be able to attain such contrition. We read the lives and writings of the saints to help us with our lives and in trying to imitate their spiritual practices. How much more attention should we pay to the teaching authority of the Church that has given us instruction that has been safeguarded by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth and life. Just as we do not only read the lives and writings of modern saints, so too we should to so a greater degree should we revere and hold on to these teachings from the Church designed to help us to overcome sin and better embrace and love the sovereign Good.

We should most certainly do our best to make acts of perfect contrition every night, but just because the Church exhorts us to do so does not mean that it is easy for everyone or most. Bear in mind that for you and I, we may find making these acts much easier than the average Catholic today. I mean approximately 50% of Catholics use contraception so we have to bear that in mind as well.

If the Church has “deepened in understanding” of perfect contrition, do you have any source that indicates that it is easy or even that says that it is not difficult for most to make such perfect acts of contrition, which again contains within itself perfect charity and a total detestation of all sins? For those who pray the rosary daily, make regular use of the sacraments, etc, such acts can be more easily fostered as the person is persisting in habitual grace and virtue. But for most people who do not fit this bill perfect contrition would be a much more difficult task. That’s all I’m trying to say.

Yes, absolutely, let us all do our best to make perfect acts of contrition when we examine our consciences every single night! I do hope more and more would do so and strive to do so. And in order to know how to attain perfect contrition, what better resource than a Catechism of the Church that set out to explain this same very thing. Again keep in mind that not all Catechisms have the same purpose and explain things in the same detail as previous ones. The CCTrent certainly did not go into great depth on certain issues but did on others, and the current CCC skims over some very deep subjects but goes into greater lengths of explanation on others. The Church could employ volumes and volumes to explain these relations to God and such mysteries, but in her catechisms she keeps them more concise and condensed. If we find a catechism that goes into great explanation on a topic of interest, how unfortunate would it be for us to not avail ourselves of this invaluable resource just because it’s dated prior to 1962. Man has always struggled with sin, and the Church’s explanation for dealing with it before is just as valuable as today. We must also bear in mind that “modern man,” the intended audience of the current CCC, has serious issues with authority and with anyone telling him that he is sinful. For this reason, the Church employed a much more softer approach in its wording and its explanation of its same teachings that have been handed down throughout the centuries.

 

[Bookcat]

Actually the Baltimore Catechism (which is not really that “old” at all - mid to late 1800s) does contain text that indicates the difficulty of attaining perfect contrition. See my earlier post here.

Again, I’m not saying that it’s extremely difficult for all Catholics or anything like that. I’m just saying for most it doesn’t come that easy, certainly not naturally. One must be completely and totally opened up to God and his love and detest every sin with his entire will. Most people when they make acts of contrition simply don’t reach this spiritual heights. But the more we can instruct people as to how they can make acts of perfect contrition–as the Catechism from the Council of Trent aptly and thoroughly does–the more they will be able to attain such contrition. We read the lives and writings of the saints to help us with our lives and in trying to imitate their spiritual practices. How much more attention should we pay to the teaching authority of the Church that has given us instruction that has been safeguarded by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth and life. Just as we do not only read the lives and writings of modern saints, so too we should to so a greater degree should we revere and hold on to these teachings from the Church designed to help us to overcome sin and better embrace and love the sovereign Good.

We should most certainly do our best to make acts of perfect contrition every night, but just because the Church exhorts us to do so does not mean that it is easy for everyone or most. Bear in mind that for you and I, we may find making these acts much easier than the average Catholic today. I mean approximately 50% of Catholics use contraception so we have to bear that in mind as well.

If the Church has “deepened in understanding” of perfect contrition, do you have any source that indicates that it is easy or even that says that it is not difficult for most to make such perfect acts of contrition, which again contains within itself perfect charity and a total detestation of all sins? For those who pray the rosary daily, make regular use of the sacraments, etc, such acts can be more easily fostered as the person is persisting in habitual grace and virtue. But for most people who do not fit this bill perfect contrition would be a much more difficult task. That’s all I’m trying to say.

Yes, absolutely, let us all do our best to make perfect acts of contrition when we examine our consciences every single night! I do hope more and more would do so and strive to do so. And in order to know how to attain perfect contrition, what better resource than a Catechism of the Church that set out to explain this same very thing. Again keep in mind that not all Catechisms have the same purpose and explain things in the same detail as previous ones. The CCTrent certainly did not go into great depth on certain issues but did on others, and the current CCC skims over some very deep subjects but goes into greater lengths of explanation on others. The Church could employ volumes and volumes to explain these relations to God and such mysteries, but in her catechisms she keeps them more concise and condensed. If we find a catechism that goes into great explanation on a topic of interest, how unfortunate would it be for us to not avail ourselves of this invaluable resource just because it’s dated prior to 1962. Man has always struggled with sin, and the Church’s explanation for dealing with it before is just as valuable as today. We must also bear in mind that “modern man,” the intended audience of the current CCC, has serious issues with authority and with anyone telling him that he is sinful. For this reason, the Church employed a much more softer approach in its wording and its explanation of its same teachings that have been handed down throughout the centuries.

1. I still go with what I answered prior.
2. The Baltimore Catechism is of course ‘old’ it came before cars etc…or prob. electric light…and it was not a dis… and your quote actually only says that a Catholic "might’’ find it difficult…not that those that do are few…etc.
3. This understanding: “One must detest every sin with his entire will.” is not actually true. one must turn away from every moral sin…not every sin. (for the mortal sins to be forgiven…with an act of perfect contrition) and of course primarily out of love of God above all etc…but i am sure meant that.
4. I make use of many documents etc from the around 2000 year history of the Church…but the focus must be of course the current documents and how they explain things…etc. i also would not assume your thought of ‘why’ things are put a certain way is the case…the CCC is a brilliant work and so edifying…i think the approach is quite radical

 

[Bookcat]

Here is the definition with which I hope we would both agree:

             Vatican I – Infallible

Hence, too, that meaning of the sacred dogmas is ever to be maintained which has once been declared by holy mother church, and there must never be any abandonment of this sense under the pretext or in the name of a more profound understanding.
May understanding, knowledge and wisdom increase as ages and centuries roll along, and greatly and vigorously flourish, in each and all, in the individual and the whole church: but this only in its own proper kind, that is to say, in the same doctrine, the same sense, and the same understanding.
3. If anyone says that
• it is possible that at some time, given the advancement of knowledge, a sense may be assigned to the dogmas propounded by the church which is different from that which the church has understood and understands:
let him be anathema.
http://www.piar.hu/councils/ecum20.htm#4.%20On%20faith%20and%20reason

DOGMA…and such that is infallible. important to remember that.

what we are discussing is not in any way shape or form …a dogma.

(not saying that you think it is of course…)

 

[Bookcat]

To “think with the Church” properly would be to think as she has always thought and in union with the teachings she has handed down. Just because something is “new” does not make it better or superior or somehow “more developed.” In fact, the “new” theology that emerged after the Council promulgated by so many priests and bishops was nothing short of modernist heresies, but that is another topic for another thread.

general statement follows --not directed at you.

it means too that it gets handed on and does not get ‘stuck’ in a particular time period.

the Church is always with the successor of Peter. where Peter is we must be

and I was talking about particularly documents from the Church not works of writers who are not thinking with the Church…(modern “theologians” who are at odds with the Church --such as who would promote contraception etc…not those that are with the Church)

 

[Fr_Destoop]

The following information from a book I have written entitled, “The Gift of Confession” may answer the questions you have been asking:

The Church defines that a mortal sin (otherwise known as a serious or grave sin) must involve all three of the following conditions:

(i) serious matter; (ii) sufficient knowledge (enough reflection that the thought, word, action, or omission at hand is seriously sinful); and (iii) deliberate consent (consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice).

Serious matter pertains to a major violation of any one of the Ten Commandments. Although all serious matter is embodied in these commands God gave through Moses, we often need to refer to other parts of Scripture and to the Church’s teachings for a more comprehensive understanding of what constitutes serious matter because the Ten Commandments are only a basic moral guide.

Further explanation of what serious matter consists of is found in the following example: A person who plucks a few grapes and eats them while shopping in a grocery store has broken the Seventh Commandment, “You shall not steal.” But such a sin does not involve serious matter because it is only a minor violation of this Commandment. On the other hand, if someone stole enough grapes from a shop or vineyard that would have an impact on the owner’s livelihood, this would be a major violation of this Commandment, and thus it would constitute serious matter. Furthermore, since a major violation is determined by the harm it causes, stealing a loaf of bread from the average family home would not constitute serious matter, whereas stealing bread from a poor and destitute person would.

Serious matter can also be indirectly related to the Ten Commandments. Jesus made this clear when He said: “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, “You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the council, and whoever says, “You fool!” shall be liable to the hell of fire” (Mt 5:21-22).

In other words, a person who has inflicted bodily harm on another person, or has engaged in, or threatened someone with physical, verbal, or emotional abuse has violated the Fifth Commandment, “You shall not kill” in a major way, even though he has not actually killed him. That Jesus said such a person is “liable to the hell of fire” leaves no question about how serious matter is not exclusive to what is stated in the Ten Commandments per se. Of course, if the bodily harm or abuse in this instance is not grievous it would only be a minor violation of this Commandment.

As for blasphemy, however, this constitutes serious matter even when the Second Commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” is violated in a minor way. Blasphemy, however small, is always serious matter because it constitutes a direct contempt for the infinite majesty of God Himself. Likewise, the Church has consistently taught that minor violations against the Sixth and Ninth Commandments always involve serious matter ((Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics (Persona humana), 1975, no. 10). We owe this understanding to what Jesus said to those who considered that impure thoughts do not constitute serious matter: “You have heard that it was said, “You shall not commit adultery.” But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt 5:27-28).

For this reason the Holy Office said, “In actions of impurity there is no light matter” (Response of the Holy Office, 11 Feb 1561 (DS 2013). See also CCC, no. 2352). Engaging in foreplay in order to arouse passion reserved for marriage is also serious matter if it is not part of a marital act (cf. Pope Alexander VII, 1666 (DS 2060). There is no cause for alarm if this happens without knowingly intending it, for as we shall see below, serious matter does not always constitute mortal sin; it must also involve sufficient knowledge and deliberate consent. this, if a person considered that sins against purity are only a minor violation of the Sixth and Ninth Commandments he would be overlooking that (i) the Bible clearly teaches that directly willed sexual activity belongs in marriage alone (cf. Ex 20:14; Deut 5:18; Mt 15:19; 19:18; Rom 13:9; Col 3:5; Eph 5:3); (ii) our human sexuality is an extraordinary gift by which God has made us in His image (cf. Gen 1:26-28); (iii) our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2 Cor 6:16); and (iv) our sexuality is “by no means something purely biological, but concerns the innermost being of the human person” (John Paul II, The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World (Familiaris Consortio), no. 11. See also CCC, no. 2332).

 

[scameter18]

Thank you all very much for your responses. This has been quite helpful to me.

God bless.

 

[Rose_Wassel]

Is smoking a mortal sin?

 

[una_fides]

Is smoking a mortal sin?

I heard Fr. John Corapi say that it is a sin against the 5th commandment, to not kill. When you smoke, you are killing your body as well as those around you. There can be no question that it is sinful. The question is to what degree. Obviously addiction decreases the degree of culpability, but it would not eliminate it. I personally don’t know I would go as far as to say it’s a mortal sin to smoke one cigarette, but excessive smoking I would say yes. Either way, it is a sin that should be confessed and as all sin it should never be done.

It would also depend on what the person is smoking. If it is a cigarette vs. cigar. Smoking one cigar I do not think would be a sin since one does not inhale and the damage to one’s body is minimal. Smoking marijuana would in most cases be mortal just as getting drunk in loosing control of one’s reasoning and additionally because it is illegal.

 

[Rose_Wassel]

Thanks for your reply.

I smoke cigarettes, not in excess, about 3/4 pk/day. I don’t really inhale totally. I found out the cigarette companies increased the nicotine, which causes a stronger addiction. I try not to, but the withdraw is very annoying, especially cause I live alone and have an anxiety problem along with physical pain from a car accident. I pray about it, but I just can’t seem to kick it. Please pray for me. Rose

 

[una_fides]

Thanks for your reply.

I smoke cigarettes, not in excess, about 3/4 pk/day. I don’t really inhale totally. I found out the cigarette companies increased the nicotine, which causes a stronger addiction. I try not to, but the withdraw is very annoying, especially cause I live alone and have an anxiety problem along with physical pain from a car accident. I pray about it, but I just can’t seem to kick it. Please pray for me. Rose

Rose, I can empathize with you. I used to smoke a pack a day. I know it can be tough. I haven’t smoked in 7 years. My uncle, who had smoked his entire life, quit smoking several years ago. You can do it! I will pray for you. Make sure to mention this sin in confession with a firm resolution to quit, and God will give you the strength you need!

 

[Rose_Wassel]

Thanks for your kind words. I do confess it at confession, but then there I go again.
Thanks for your prayers. I’m 61 yrs. old , it’s been a long time addiction. I am trying.
God bless you. Rose

 

[The_Blunt_Brig]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which Pope John Paul II called “a sure norm for teaching the faith” has these listed as mortal sins. Reference Numbers 2272, 2480, 2380, 2148, 2434, 2181, 2117, 2384 to 2386, 2290 & 2291, 2539, 2277, 2302, 2152 & 2476, 2353, 2303, 2357, 2388, 2482, 2352, 2268, 2163, 2354, 2355, 2356, 2439, 2120, 2284, 2281, 2297, 2413 & 2434, 2268, 2400, 2434. I don’t think it’s a complete list of all mortal sins but it’s pretty good.

• Abortion (any formal cooperation in it)

• Acceptance by human society of murderous famines without trying to fix it

• Adulation of another's grave faults if it makes one an accomplice in another's vices or grave sins, but it is not grave when it only seeks to be agreeable, to avoid evil, to meet a need, or to obtain legitimate advantages.

• Adultery

• Blasphemy

• Deliberate failure to go to mass on Holy Days of Obligation unless excused for a serious reason or dispensed by one's own pastor

• Divination, magic, and sorcery

• Divorce (If civil divorce, which cannot do anything to the spiritual marriage in the eyes of God, remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the protection of inheritance, or the care of the children it is not a sin.)

• Drug Abuse

• Endangering their own and others' safety by drunkenness or a love of speed on the road, at sea or in the air

• Envy (if to the level of wishing grave harm to another)

• Euthanasia

• Extreme Anger (at the level of truly and deliberately desiring to seriously hurt or kill someone)

• Fornication

• Hatred of a neighbor/to deliberately desire him or her great harm

• Homosexual acts

• Incest

• Lying (the gravity is measured by "the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims")

• Masturbation

• Murder (except when done in self defense or defense of others when there is no other way)

• Perjury and False Oaths

• Polygamy

• Pornography

• Prostitution

• Rape

• Rich nation's refusal to aid those which are unable to ensure the means of their development by themselves

• Sacrilege

• Scandal (deliberately causing someone to sin gravely)

• Suicide

• Terrorism that threatens, wounds and kills indiscriminately

• Unfair wagers and cheating at games unless the damage is unusually light