Moral imperfection - example?

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HomeschoolDad

HomeschoolDad

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I have never really understood the term “moral imperfection” as used by Catholics. Can anyone shed some light on this?

I have wondered if it refers to a trait or characteristic that is not necessarily sinful in itself, but is less than perfect behavior or attitude for a Christian. Examples might include a tendency to procrastinate, being a bit too demanding of others, being overly opinionated, or being diffident and pusillanimous where boldness is called for. Am I on the right track?
 
HomeschoolDad said:
I have never really understood the term “moral imperfection” as used by Catholics.
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It really depends on the context of what is said and who’s saying it. If there isn’t a definiton in the Catechism it could mean many different things.
 
po18guy said:
It is well explained in this great little Examination of Conscience:

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An Examination of Conscience by Fr Robert Altier​

Purchase An Examination of Conscience by Fr Robert Altier online from Leaflet Missal, a family business that provides Catholic goods from St. Paul, Minnesota.

Price: USD 1.25

Buck and a quarter at your local Catholic store.
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I very rarely get by that store, it is almost 20 miles away. Could you tell me what it says? Nutshell is fine.

Again, I have to think it refers to these things that are not sins in themselves, but they are shortcomings that are not quite worthy of a Christian. If those things are not what is meant by “moral imperfections”, then what would be the name for them? Do they even have one?
 
Chossing the lesser of two goods when both can be done. So you do a good job, but you could also easily or even with a little effort do a better job, but instead you decided to settle for doing a good job. A bit like ‘going the extra mile’ when one can, but instead doing only what is required, so no effort is required on your part.

Imperfections

Ascent of Mt Carmel St John of the Cross pdf file. Search using the term imperfection.
 
HomeschoolDad said:
I have never really understood the term “moral imperfection” as used by Catholics. Can anyone shed some light on this?

I have wondered if it refers to a trait or characteristic that is not necessarily sinful in itself, but is less than perfect behavior or attitude for a Christian. Examples might include a tendency to procrastinate, being a bit too demanding of others, being overly opinionated, or being diffident and pusillanimous where boldness is called for. Am I on the right track?
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Moral imperfections are intentional immoral actions or omissions or delectation in them. Their matter may be grave or trivial. These are based upon vices expressed rather than virtues, such as:
Pride – Humility
Covetousness – Liberality
Lust – Chastity
Anger – Meekness
Gluttony – Temperance
Envy – Brotherly love
Sloth – Diligence
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@HomeschoolDad

Examination of Conscience. It is the first one on the page, but please Note- it is copyrighted. So as they state if you want a copy of the booklet, then you can buy it from the store (which they link to), and as listed by @po18guy.

But you can open the pdf file and read it for yourself as under this first Examen there is the link to be able to read it by clicking the “READ MORE” blue button, you can scroll down to the part called:- Venial Sins and Imperfections* .
 
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CRV said:
@HomeschoolDad

Examination of Conscience . It is the first one on the page, but please Note- it is copyrighted. So as they state if you want a copy of the booklet, then you can buy it from the store (which they link to), and as listed by @po18guy.

But you can open the pdf file and read it for yourself as under this first Examen there is the link to be able to read it by clicking the “READ MORE” blue button, you can scroll down to the part called:- Venial Sins and Imperfections* .
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Thanks, this told me what I needed to know. I will pick up one of these EofCs the next time I am at that store, if they have one. It’s all the way across this county and into the next one.
 
Well, here is one explanation, but it takes a little pondering:
A lack of greater perfection in a human act, due to a variety of causes but not consciously willed by a person. Thus, to give a poor person alms is a morally good act. Giving that person more than one actually had given would ordinarily be a greater perfection; hence the alms, in themselves, may be considered negatively imperfect. Negative imperfections are not sinful because they are not voluntary.
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They are flaws in our thoughts, actions or omissions that are not willed, but natural or habitual perhaps, as a consequence of our concupiscence. Sin requires the involvement of the will, but those things which demonstrate a lack in our capacity for love which are not willed, thus are imperfections rather than sins.
 
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