If someone is psychotic are they guilty of the sins they commit when acting on delusions?

[jredden92]

Does the Catholic Church believe in not guilt by reason of insanity?

 

[Wesrock]

I’ll quote what is in the Catechism:

1857 For a sin to be mortal , three conditions must together be met: “Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent.”

A person who is suffering mental illness would seem to lack the capacity for deliberate consent, so their actions may not be mortal sins. The action is still evil but the person’s culpability would be reduced. I would still suggest that if that person ever regained their right mind that they seek the sacrament of reconciliation if there were very seriously grave acts. Not because they’re necessarily damned if they don’t, but it seems part of the spiritual healing process.

 

[jredden92]

I’m asking for myself. I committed what I now realize were grave sins. Sacrilege, Adultery, Apostasy…I ended up in a mental hospital. I read the only unforgiveable sin is cursing the Holy Spirit or hardness of heart an unwillingness to change. I will pray for forgiveness and hope that I won’t be damned.

 

[Wesrock]

I’m asking for myself. I committed what I now realize were grave sins. Sacrilege, Adultery, Apostasy…I ended up in a mental hospital. I read the only unforgiveable sin is cursing the Holy Spirit or hardness of heart an unwillingness to change. I will pray for forgiveness and hope that I won’t be damned.

If you still (or at any time) desire forgiveness you haven’t committed the unforgivable sin.

 

[jredden92]

I’m going through R.C.I.A right now. I was baptized as an infant so no clean slate…it may be too late for my soul.