Keeping Important Secrets from Spouse: Is This a Sin?

[meltzerboy]

According to Catholic theology, is it considered a sin to keep important secrets from one’s spouse? For example, not telling them that one does not truly believe in the Catholic faith the way they do, even though one goes with them to Mass; or not confiding that one has a SSA (same-sex attraction); or not divulging that one has had in the past a mental illness, which is under control now by medication, and so on? None of these, I think, is sinful in itself; but is keeping the secret considered sinful? If so, is it because of a violation of the sacrament of marriage, a kind of infidelity perhaps? Also, what kind of sin would this be: mortal or venial? (Parenthetically, is this the only classification of sin in Catholicism, or are there, in addition, sins of commission and sins of omission?)

 

[CHRISTINE77]

According to Catholic theology, is it considered a sin to keep important secrets from one’s spouse? For example, not telling them that one does not truly believe in the Catholic faith the way they do, even though one goes with them to Mass; or not confiding that one has a SSA (same-sex attraction); or not divulging that one has had in the past a mental illness, which is under control now by medication, and so on? None of these, I think, is sinful in itself; but is keeping the secret considered sinful? If so, is it because of a violation of the sacrament of marriage, a kind of infidelity perhaps? Also, what kind of sin would this be: mortal or venial? (Parenthetically, is this the only classification of sin in Catholicism, or are there, in addition, sins of commission and sins of omission?)

Is it a sin in Jewish theology?

 

[meltzerboy]

Is it a sin in Jewish theology?

To tell the truth, I’m not sure. So, let me expand the question to Jewish theology as well. I believe Judaism is more flexible than Catholicism when it comes to lying, if these examples of withholding the truth can be considered a form of lying.

 

[Alix1912]

I think that the issue here is not so much lying as more withholding information that the spouse should know. If you are only going through the motions of religon to please your spouse, your spouse should probably know that as it is something that would affect your marriage. Same thing with the attraction to same sex people, the other spouse has a right to know that, as it could fundamentally change the dynamics of the marriage.

As for the medicated Mental disorder…why and how would anyone keep that a seceret? not only could that pose a danger to the unknowing spouse, but they have a right to know because some mental disorders are hereditary.

I would say purposely witholding this information would deception and that a form of lying, and lying to your spouse regardless of the sinfulness is NEVER a good idea. I think decieving someone on purpose is a sin, espeically if it is for your own gain.

 

[odile53]

I think withholding critical information at the time of a marriage can invalidate the marriage, if it’s the sort of thing that would be a “deal breaker” if the prospective spouse knew about it prior to the marriage. I suppose it depends on what information is being withheld. And it seems to me that this stance would be very destructive of trust between spouses.