Is there a "grave sum" for breaking things, like there is with stealing?

[SHoJjhmou]

I know that with stealing, even if you steal a small thing, that the value of the stolen goods add up and it can become grave matter to steal things past a specific point.

The time difference I think has to be reasonable, although I’m not sure exactly what it is, you could check New Advent.

But does the same principle apply to breaking things (accidentally also?)

If you break a small toy every day for a year straight, does it reach grave matter? (Regardless of intention, is it objective mortal sin)

What about accidentally breaking small toys, out of clumsiness?

Thank you for your answers.

 

[pianistclare]

You are approaching scrupulosity friend. Sometimes we can think way to hard about things. Maybe join a continuing ed faith group at your parish for interesting topics of discussion and a pulse on Catholic thought. Perhaps others can recommend good books on Morality as well.
Peace.

 

[porthos11]

I know that with stealing, even if you steal a small thing, that the value of the stolen goods add up and it can become grave matter to steal things past a specific point.

The time difference I think has to be reasonable, although I’m not sure exactly what it is, you could check New Advent.

But does the same principle apply to breaking things (accidentally also?)

If you break a small toy every day for a year straight, does it reach grave matter? (Regardless of intention, is it objective mortal sin)

What about accidentally breaking small toys, out of clumsiness?

Thank you for your answers.

One does not sin by accident. So you accidentally broke a small toy. That is not a sin.

But what are you going to do about it? You are obligated to make reparation for the damage. Failure to do this can be sinful. The sin won’t be in the breaking of the toy because it was an accident. The sin can be in the failure to perform any obligation that may arise because of it.

Even intentionally breaking a small toy is not black-and-white. Whose toy? Your kid’s? How many toys does he have? Can it be easily replaced? Perhaps venial sin.

A poor child’s whose small toy is his only joy, and you broke it solely to break his heart? Same value of toy, but could be mortal sin.

If you steal five dollars from a billionaire? Likely venial sin.

Steal the last five dollars from a homeless beggar who would have bought his supper with it? Likely mortal sin.

It’s not just the value. It’s also the circumstances the surround the sin.