Is self-injury always grave matter?

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MademoiselleRue

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Self-injury includes cutting, burning, hitting, etc. I know that it is grave matter to purposefully put oneself in danger, like cutting deep into the wrists. But what about if the self-injury were mild, like light scratches that hardly draw blood at all, or slight bruises, neither of which would be dangerous or life-threatening, would it still be grave matter?
 
Yes. Maybe not because of the physical harm but because of the mental/emotional damage that it indicates.

If you are feeling the desire to harm yourself, you should seek a psychological professional so that you can work through these feelings.

Physical mortification under the guidance of a spiritual advisor might be a way for some people to get closer to God but for most, it will probably be a detriment to their spirituality.
 
So you’re saying that slight but intentional self-harm is still a mortal sin?
 
IMO (as an ex-self-harmer) the answer is YES. It doesn’t matter that the injury is ‘slight’, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and to sin against our body is to sin against the Holy Spirit. Intentionally hurting your body is a grievous offence against that temple, it’s like vandalising a church.
 
PerfectTiming said:
IMO (as an ex-self-harmer) the answer is YES. It doesn’t matter that the injury is ‘slight’, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and to sin against our body is to sin against the Holy Spirit. Intentionally hurting your body is a grievous offence against that temple, it’s like vandalising a church.
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Exactly. 🙂
 
I have never inflicted injury to myself on purpose. But I don’t think all instances of self-injury constitute a grave matter. For example, in a treaty that is sealed by blood (the “blood compact”), where two parties cause a small wound to obtain blood, the act of self-injury would not constitute a grave matter.

However, I agree that all cases of self-injury, even slight ones, should be avoided. If this is something that a person does to himself frequently, then he needs help - professional help - because it can lead to something very serious.

In this discussion I am assuming that bodily mortification (which induces physical suffering in the spirit of penance), but which does not harm the body, is not considered “self-injury.” If, for example, fasting is considered self-injury, then even our Lord - who fasted for forty days in the desert - would be guilty of self-injury.
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone…

Not to be troublesome, but where exactly is it stated that self-harm of any degree is mortally sinful? In the Catechism or Catholic teachings somewhere?
 
PerfectTiming said:
IMO (as an ex-self-harmer) the answer is YES. It doesn’t matter that the injury is ‘slight’, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and to sin against our body is to sin against the Holy Spirit. Intentionally hurting your body is a grievous offence against that temple, it’s like vandalising a church.
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PerfectTiming, I like how you word this. I’ve had a history of this. I think it was for several reasons, including “releasing emotional pain,” etc. The last time I cut myself was about a year ago, maybe less. 😦

Hoping I can keep this idea firmly in my head if/when the situation arises again.

Thank you! :hug1:
 
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