Mortal and Venial Sins Checklist?

  • Thread starter Thread starter katpants
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
That website is problematic. Here’s a direct quote from the website’s Home page:
This site is dedicated to watching for signs of the ‘End Times’. Without setting a date, I believe that the Apocalypse will be upon us within my lifetime, and I’m in my early sixties.
Click to expand...
The primary reason that I believe it may be within my lifetime, is because of the messages of the Medjugorje Aparitions, and the Papal Prophecies of Saint Malachy. It addition, there is a lot of other supporting evidence, that I am detailing on this website.
Click to expand...
Medjugorje— “no cleric or faithful may participate in any meetings, conferences, or public celebrations in which the authenticity of the apparitions are taken for granted.” Letter from Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, to the General Secretary of the USCCB, October, 2013.

Papal Prophecy of St. Malachy—not an approved private revelation.

In view of these two things, in the first few paragraphs of the website’s Home page I wouldn’t believe anything from this website.
 
As someone who suffers from scruples, I WISH there was a list like this. I torture myself between confessions thinking I did something mortal, only to find out it was venial or even not a sin at all.
 
AKDee said:
As someone who suffers from scruples, I WISH there was a list like this. I torture myself between confessions thinking I did something mortal, only to find out it was venial or even not a sin at all.
Click to expand...
]

I will re-post another older post of mine (general information regarding scrupulosity)

A person struggles with scruples - what ought they do?

A person with scrupulosity --ought to have a* “regular confessor” who can direct them --and even give them some general principles* to follow -to apply (principles for them due to their particular scruples -they are usually not for those with a normal conscience).

Thus with their direction they can “dismiss scruples” (in the older language despise them) - “act against them” (agere contra).

Scruples are to be dismissed ~ not argued with.

To borrow and image from a Carthusian from centuries ago: Scruples *are like a barking dog or a hissing goose -one does not stop to argue with a barking dog or a hissing goose does one? * No one keeps walking.

Such ‘obedience’ to a regular confessor who knows of ones scruples (except in what is manifest sin - such as if he told them it was ok to murder someone or something certain like that) is key. Such is the age old practice.

Also counseling -(especially if one also has OCD) could be helpful depending on the case -but one would want to look for a counselor who can assist one in following the Churches Teachings - not go contrary to them (I have heard CA staff mention catholictherapists.com/)

Here was a not too long ago post from Jimmy Akin of CA that I saw in the Register and saved for those who struggle with such.

ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/6-tools-for-the-scrupulous
 
I have a strong dislike for any ideology that tries to reduce sin and the problem of evil to a simple checklist and/or essentially defines Christian life as merely tiptoeing around bad things.

Avoiding sin is only a side effect of what we should all really be doing. It’s not the point. It’s not even the goal. The emphasis on checklists makes sin avoidance the goal of Christian life, which is akin to saying that loving one’s parents means not kicking them in the side, or punching them, or stealing their food, or slashing their tires. If you love them, you won’t do these things, but simply not doing them is not love itself.
 
Bill_Martin said:
I have a strong dislike for any ideology that tries to reduce sin and the problem of evil to a simple checklist and/or essentially defines Christian life as merely tiptoeing around bad things.

Avoiding sin is only a side effect of what we should all really be doing. It’s not the point. It’s not even the goal. The emphasis on checklists makes sin avoidance the goal of Christian life, which is akin to saying that loving one’s parents means not kicking them in the side, or punching them, or stealing their food, or slashing their tires. If you love them, you won’t do these things, but simply not doing them is not love itself.
Click to expand...
In my own case, the motivation isn’t what you’re assuming. I’m a convert, so I didn’t grow up in the Catholic Church, and honestly the Church teaches some things are sin that the protestant denominations don’t. And some things have huge grey areas. And you come on a forum like this, and you’ll get 10 different answers to the “is this a sin” question. You even get different answers from different priests. In a CAF “ask the apologist” I saw an answer from one priest calling something I was doing not just a sin but a mortal sin where when I went to my priest to discuss it my own priest said he disagreed entirely and didn’t even think it was a sin at all. A definitive list would be sooooo helpful in my case so I would know what exactly God wants and so that it wouldn’t be so subjective even among priests. I do want to be obedient to God, I’m not looking for loopholes- but neither do I want to be excessively hard on myself unnecessarily.
 
AKDee said:
As someone who suffers from scruples, I WISH there was a list like this. I torture myself between confessions thinking I did something mortal, only to find out it was venial or even not a sin at all.
Click to expand...
A little statement someone once told me that may help you…" 99% of the things that keep us worried or concerned, never even happen".
 
Want to add that I have viewed several “sin” lists in the past, and all of them have had different do’s and don’ts, so I am extremely hesitant of them. If anyone has an OFFICIAL, non-contradicting one, I would like to know as well. 🙂
 
It has to be grave matter. I don’t think there is a list even of grave matter but some are more obvious than others.

It has to be done with full information. One knows the gravity of the sin and understands the implications, etc. And you have to give consent.

Basically if you know it’s going to be bad for you and God, but do it anyway. St. Teresa of Avila asks what difference does it even make if it’s grave matter? If a soul is intentionally doing what it knows God does not want, it is a serious matter. On this I agree with her; I don’t understand why only certain issues get the formal recognition as grave matter.

So the real answer as closely as I know is there is no particular list, but it has to be grave matter, done fully informed, and with full consent. All three have to be there or it is not a “mortal” sin.
 
A start for you as to the more “common mortal sins” would be to go through the 10 commandments section of the Catechism. Note where things are termed “grave” etc.
 
AKDee said:
In my own case, the motivation isn’t what you’re assuming. I’m a convert, so I didn’t grow up in the Catholic Church, and honestly the Church teaches some things are sin that the protestant denominations don’t. And some things have huge grey areas. And you come on a forum like this, and you’ll get 10 different answers to the “is this a sin” question. You even get different answers from different priests. In a CAF “ask the apologist” I saw an answer from one priest calling something I was doing not just a sin but a mortal sin where when I went to my priest to discuss it my own priest said he disagreed entirely and didn’t even think it was a sin at all. A definitive list would be sooooo helpful in my case so I would know what exactly God wants and so that it wouldn’t be so subjective even among priests. I do want to be obedient to God, I’m not looking for loopholes- but neither do I want to be excessively hard on myself unnecessarily.
Click to expand...
I like the examination from Catholic Parents Online. I’ve had a similar experience
As you where I was listening to an audio sermon and the priest said co-sleeping with your child is a mortal sin. I had to get reassurement from my own priest that it was NOT a sin at all.
 
TravisandJill said:
As you where I was listening to an audio sermon and the priest said co-sleeping with your child is a mortal sin. I had to get reassurement from my own priest that it was NOT a sin at all.
Click to expand...
Setting aside questions of sin…and yes getting off topic…

I would like to note for all that if the “co-sleeping” is with a baby …I highly advise research into real the dangers involved.

From what I have researched in the past I would not co-sleep with a baby.

Not to turn this thread into a discussion of such - that would really take it off the rails…but I wanted to make that note.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top