I don’t have the exact quote from the CCC, but to be a mortal sin a lie has to do “grave harm” or be in a situation where a more serious crime would be committed by lying, like lying under oath.
Perhaps you are referring to these paragraphs from the CCC
2482 “A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving.” The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil: “You are of your father the devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
2483 Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man’s relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord.
2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity. (
From Here)
In some of my reading on these forums it seems like you get a variety of views on the passage, from liberal to arch conservative and it has got me a little confused.
When one tends to try to define these things “legally” and on the opinion of others it can and does get confusing. Far better to read the Catechism, Scripture etc. and then to pray on the matter. Listen to the Holy Spirit in your heart.
A scenario where you lie to get rid of an annoying telemarketer or street vendor harassing you would be a venial sin, correct?
Yes such would likely be a venial sin - but venial sin still weaken the soul and impedes Charity. From the Catechism:
1863 Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul’s progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does not break the covenant with God. With God’s grace it is humanly reparable. “Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness.”
While he is in the flesh, man cannot help but have at least some light sins. But do not despise these sins which we call “light”: if you take them for light when you weigh them, tremble when you count them. A number of light objects makes a great mass; a number of drops fills a river; a number of grains makes a heap. What then is our hope? Above all, confession.
So even though a sin might be “venial” such sin is not to be taken lightly.
Then the question becomes - Why do you feel the need to lie - even in a small way? You can simply hang up on a telemarketer without saying a word…They are use to this and it is unlikely that they will be offended. A street vendor should not be “harassing you”. If you say nothing and simply keep walking, you have not sinned.
These are things to be taken before the Lord in prayer so that He might enlighten us.
And more serious lies would be cheating people out of money, deceiving them about something important, blaming damages on someone else, etc.?
Yes - not only are these more serious but one can easily see that other sins are attached to the sin of lying. In the examples above, mainly theft…and calumny.
Let’s not bring up the protecting Jews from Nazis example, it’s an extreme situation and I doubt I’m going to be in a life or death scenario any time soon (I hope)
How’d I do?
Peace
James
