Priest said it is very hard to commit mortal sin

[Questioning_1]

Here is how common Mortal sin is

1. Birth Control
   2)Deliberately using the lords name in vain
   3)Masturbation/pornography
   4)Divorce and invalid re marriage

Based on statistics alone I can say the Mortal sin is VERY COMMON .

You must have knowledge that the act in and of it self is a sin so therefore, if a completely uncathecized Catholic does not know than how can any of these be sinful.

If I am living with my girlfriend and sexually active, though my family tells me it is wrong, but i myself don’t believe it to be wrong than how is it sinful?

 

[Johndigger]

Hmm, if you have to be basically a theologian to commit a mortal sin, then isn’t it better to learn absolutely nothing about your faith?

Learning about our faith is meant to help us to grow in holiness, yet it seems to be the only way some people think you can commit a mortal sin.

I believe in a natural moral law that is written on our hearts, we don’t have to be a theologian to have knowledge of right or wrong - some things are just ingrained within us.

Learned knowledge from the Church is definitely a good way of getting and understanding moral rules. However, there is also innate moral knowledge.

I would say that this “innate knowledge” is enough to be “knowledge” in many cases, particularly with the amount of Saints that have said how common mortal sin is.

JD

 

[Janet_S]

You must have knowledge that the act in and of it self is a sin so therefore, if a completely uncathecized Catholic does not know than how can any of these be sinful.

If I am living with my girlfriend and sexually active, though my family tells me it is wrong, but i myself don’t believe it to be wrong than how is it sinful?

If you don’t believe it to be wrong, that doesn’t change the objective reality that it is.

If you are aware of what the Church teaches about sexual relations outside of marriage-- that it is a grave sin-- then you have knowledge. Most people are aware of this.

Right off the bat you have 2 requirements. All you need now is full consent of the will (done by your own free will, no coercion.) Now you have a mortal sin.

It’s not difficult at all.

 

[Malcolm_McLean]

Hmm, if you have to be basically a theologian to commit a mortal sin, then isn’t it better to learn absolutely nothing about your faith?

You’ve got to be big boy to commit murder. Practically speaking. Of several thousand murders in Britain in recent times I think only one - Jamie Bulger’s - was committed by two young children, and they were over ten. There was also one girl of eight who committed a murder back in the 1950s. But it is almost unheard of for pre-adolescents to kill.

Therefore by that logic it is bad thing to grow up. That’s not true, of course, though there is truth hidden in it. Adulthood gives us capacity to sin, but also capacity to do good, and there are inherently linked.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

It is in both the Catechism and Romans that the basic moral laws are inherent in the human mind. One knows the basic wrongs until one reasons them away.

 

[Shoshana]

It is in both the Catechism and Romans that the basic moral laws are inherent in the human mind. One knows the basic wrongs until one reasons them away.

We can say that this sin or that sin is objectively wrong…and I realize that ignorance is a big time excuse anymore. I just wonder when Our lady of Fatima said that many souls were goint to hell (back in 1917 ), what would be the verdict be today. Or the saying that the path to hell is constructed by the priests’ skulls or the bottom of hell is carpeted by the skulls of bishops (paraphrase by St john Chrysostom), it makes one quite alert I say.

 

[Pug]

Once we gain knowledge of all grave matter, it is very hard not to commit mortal sin. Especially those of us who have become accustomed a sinfull lifestyle without full knowledge.

My question is, “Now that i have full knowledge, am I fully consenting and, therefore, accountable, when I commit sins with which I’ve always struggled?”

I just realized no one answered your post. It could be that you are now very weak at resisting certain things that you have done many times. This could mean that your consent is impaired, but it doesn’t have to mean that in every situation. If you find yourself standing there debating, saying I know this is wrong, but I am choosing to do it anyway, you could be in trouble. Talk to your confessor for sure if the matter in question is grave matter. He will guide you on how to handle confessing this sin.

 

[spanky]

I just realized no one answered your post. It could be that you are now very weak at resisting certain things that you have done many times. This could mean that your consent is impaired, but it doesn’t have to mean that in every situation. If you find yourself standing there debating, saying I know this is wrong, but I am choosing to do it anyway, you could be in trouble. Talk to your confessor for sure if the matter in question is grave matter. He will guide you on how to handle confessing this sin.

thank you

 

[buffalo]

Mortal sin is willfully and obstinately turning our back on God.

God gave us the 10 Commandments. If we do not follow them (sinning) we are turning our back on Him.

 

[THurifer2]

Most everyone who uses BC do not think it is sinful …no one has taught then otherwise.

As well as with the other items…they may possibly know that it is wrong…but not grave matter.

From the 4 above

#1 A well formed conscience would lead us to believe BC is wrong and we are all called to a well formed conscience. I believe that anyone who freely chooses to listen to their consciences they will know by grace of god that BC is a sin…then the dominos start to fall.

#2 using the lords name is vain is the second commandment. That would be called Blasphemy and that is a VERY grave matter

#3 Masturbation is listed in the CCC as a grave Matter

#4 Adultry is directly mentioned in the 10 commandments.

Remember one does not have to know that somthing is a “grave” matter… they just have to know that its wrong…this is where a properly formed conscience comes into play and All of us have that Whisper from god in our hearts some just refuse to listen to it.

It is possible to be guilty of Mortal sin and not know it…Even if one has never even heard of Mortal Sin before.

 

[Shoshana]

It is possible to be guilty of Mortal sin and not know it…Even if one has never even heard of Mortal Sin before.

What about the invincible ignorance?

 

[THurifer2]

What about the invincible ignorance?

If someone were invincibly ignorant #3 does not come into play …(full knowledege of it being wrong) it would be relatively easy for a person who has never heard of mortal sin to commit the 3 conditions below.

1. grave matter
2. deliberate intent
   3)full knowledge.

Example knowing somthing is wrong, doing it anyway and it was a bad thing. (w well formed conscience is what bolsters our discernment of grave matters)

 

[Pug]

Remember one does not have to know that somthing is a “grave” matter… they just have to know that its wrong.

I agree that the person doesn’t have to be able to articulate the concept of mortal and venial to be able to be guilty of a mortal sin. I do think they have to have some clue that it is some type of serious sin. If they have been falsely instructed that certain things are strictly venial, I think they lack the prerequisites for mortal sin. Well, not if it is murder or something obvious. Only if it is something less obvious, like the topic of abstinence from meat or fasting. You are going to believe whatever your parents or catechists tell you about the gravity of something like that.

 

[THurifer2]

I agree that the person doesn’t have to be able to articulate the concept of mortal and venial to be able to be guilty of a mortal sin. I do think they have to have some clue that it is some type of serious sin. If they have been falsely instructed that certain things are strictly venial, I think they lack the prerequisites for mortal sin. Well, not if it is murder or something obvious. Only if it is something less obvious, like the topic of abstinence from meat or fasting. You are going to believe whatever your parents or catechists tell you about the gravity of something like that.

I don’t believe that opionion is totally in line with Church Teaching. The term Grave is accompanied by Matter…Meaning the act itself not the disposition of the person committing the act…The disposition of the peroson is included in the other two conditions (Deliberate consent and full knowledge)

In the three conditions the grave matter has no bearing on the individuals “knowledge” Deliberate consent and full knowledge may…but If a person knows somthing is wrong…they do it anyway and that something was serious then we have a Mortal sin…here is an example:

Fred decides to use a condom when participating in the marriage act with his wife…fred knows its a sin to do so but unfortunately fred doesn’t realize its a grave matter he just knows that it “isn’t right” after thinking about it Fred decides to use the condom anyway…The grave Matter here has nothing to do with whether fred knows its a grave matter or not…his knowledge has no bearing on what the act actually is. He did indicate he knew it was wrong and he did it freely …fred is guilty of mortal sin…

Again the three conditions of Mortal sin do not include understanding or dicernment of a grave act…the act itself and the knowledge that it is wrong and doing it anyway is enough.

Luckily all fred has to do is repent and participate in a good sacramental confession to be absolved of this Mortal Sin.

 

[Pug]

Fred decides to use a condom when participating in the marriage act with his wife…fred knows its a sin to do so but unfortunately fred doesn’t realize its a grave matter he just knows that it “isn’t right” after thinking about it Fred decides to use the condom anyway…The grave Matter here has nothing to do with whether fred knows its a grave matter or not…his knowledge has no bearing on what the act actually is. He did indicate he knew it was wrong and he did it freely …fred is guilty of mortal sin…

Again the three conditions of Mortal sin do not include understanding or dicernment of a grave act…the act itself and the knowledge that it is wrong and doing it anyway is enough.

Could you look at this reply by Fr. Serpa on AAA. I intended to convey similar information as he, but I am rarely a model of clarity. Do you disagree with Fr. Serpa as well?

I didn’t mean to imply that the matter changed from grave to venial. The act remains materially a grave thing. I meant that knowledge or consent were mitigated on account of the ignorance the person has about the seriousness of the matter. For example, they would not have done it if they had known it was grave matter. Their lack of knowledge affected what they chose to do.

 

[THurifer2]

For example, they would not have done it if they had known it was grave matter. Their lack of knowledge affected what they chose to do.

Interesting,

What do you think of this then,

Does lack of knowlege lessen the graveness of the act? A perfect example would be the act of masturbation. The church lists it as a grave matter…SO one person knows its wrong but thinks its not severe and another person knows its wrong and knows its a grave matter. Outside of the personal disposition of the individual is the act in itself less grave?

Lets look at the 3 criteria of mortal sin

1. Grave Matter (this pertains to the act only, not the person committing it
2. Full Knowledge (this simply is knowing it is wrong not the severity of how wrong it is)
   3)Deliberate intent (doing it anyway)

Nothing in those 3 conditions mentions that a persons knowledge of the SEVERITY of the sin determines the outcome…

This citation is from father serpas response it is interesting here that there are specific sins that are always mortal.
The gravity of the matter is judged from the teaching of Scripture, the definitions of councils and popes, and also from reason. Those sins are judged to be mortal which contain in themselves some grave disorder in regard to God, our neighbour, ourselves, or society. Some sins admit of no lightness of matter, as for example, blasphemy, hatred of God; they are always mortal

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Could you look at this reply by Fr. Serpa on AAA. I intended to convey similar information as he, but I am rarely a model of clarity. Do you disagree with Fr. Serpa as well?

I didn’t mean to imply that the matter changed from grave to venial. The act remains materially a grave thing. I meant that knowledge or consent were mitigated on account of the ignorance the person has about the seriousness of the matter. For example, they would not have done it if they had known it was grave matter. Their lack of knowledge affected what they chose to do.

Although he didn’t know it was grave, he could have known if he had checked. Deliberate ignorance does not excuse.

 

[THurifer2]

What about the situation of the truly severe wicked…the people who live and rollick in sin…really bad lifestyle…wouldn’t it be true that their Venial matters would likely be our Grave Matters. This is why I don’t buy the “ignorance” clause. Falling deeper into sin clouds or conscience to the fact of having little “awarness” of matters. With the “ignorance” argument the truly severely wicked would be safer from Mortal sin than the devout. And we know the bible and church teachings are absolutely chock full of references that teach the opposite.

 

[Pug]

Does lack of knowlege lessen the graveness of the act? A perfect example would be the act of masturbation. The church lists it as a grave matter…SO one person knows its wrong but thinks its not severe and another person knows its wrong and knows its a grave matter. Outside of the personal disposition of the individual is the act in itself less grave?

Masturbation is grave matter. I’d say for both people the matter is the same. It’s masturbation. Hence it is the same gravity. It is disordered and will likely harm them (either of the two people in the example).

1. Full Knowledge (this simply is knowing it is wrong not the severity of how wrong it is)

I agree to “full knowledge”. I do not agree that your parenthetical remark is necessarily in conformity with what I have been taught. For example, it is not in conformity with Fr. Serpa’s answer, as best as I understand, which is why I pointed to his answer. (You did not answer if you disagreed with him, btw). Just the word “full” seems incongruous with your parenthetical remark. It is clear that only knowing it is a sin and not knowing that it is serious shows less than maximum knowledge. That is not my real reason for objecting, however. I just point it out because I noticed that word when the CCC came out and I wondered about it. Most sources that I read prior to the existence of the CCC did not use the term “full knowledge”. Usually a term more akin to “sufficient” is what I am more familiar with. The good ol’ Baltimore Catechism uses “full consent” and “sufficient reflection”. I assume the word I learned (reflection) has been replaced by the word “knowledge”. I’m assuming they aren’t totally different. My Catholic dictionary (pre V2, A Catholic Dictionary, Donald Attwater, pg 464) says of mortal sin:

A transgression of the moral law in a serious matter, committed with clear advertence to the grievous nature of the act and with full deliberation and consent on the part of the will…

Note that phrase “clear advertence to the grievous nature of the act”, which is an example of what I am talking about when I say I was taught something different from what you have expressed. Also note the word “deliberation” in place of the word “knowledge”. Perhaps that substitution is why I create confusion by my responses, since I probably really mean “deliberation” when I use “knowledge”.

Nothing in those 3 conditions mentions that a persons knowledge of the SEVERITY of the sin determines the outcome…

Surely the very condition of “sufficient knowledge” allows one to bring in the consideration of if it is sufficient if they think it is a light matter. I just go on the traditional answer as near as I can determine on this consideration. The experts I consult understand it to be insufficient, so I assume they have understood it better than I could myself.

This citation is from father serpas response it is interesting here that there are specific sins that are always mortal.
The gravity of the matter is judged from the teaching of Scripture, the definitions of councils and popes, and also from reason. Those sins are judged to be mortal which contain in themselves some grave disorder in regard to God, our neighbour, ourselves, or society. Some sins admit of no lightness of matter, as for example, blasphemy, hatred of God; they are always mortal

I agree, some sins do not admit parvity or smallness of matter. Others traditionally do, like theft. This is a question of the matter itself, not reflection or consent. These can still turn those you mention into non-mortal sins. If one reads further, starting from the end of the quote given, I think it is clear that the article agrees with me on this point.

BTW, I’m glad you made me think about this more, because I finally did clarify to myself that one of those things that eats away at the back of my mind is the use of “knowledge” in place of “deliberation”. Something to think about the significance of.

 

[Pug]

Although he didn’t know it was grave, he could have known if he had checked. Deliberate ignorance does not excuse.

I completely agree that deliberate refusal to inform yourself does not excuse.

I have had the experience being taught one thing when really it is another. Well, years later you find the truth by some accident of reading a book somewhere. You don’t have to go nuts checking stuff. You make a reasonable effort. Once you have genuinely done this, you don’t have to keep checking and checking and checking that same topic. You do, however, have to spend part of your time each week reading the bible, studying magisterial documents, nourishing your faith, etc. In the course of this, hopefully any errors of knowledge that you have will slowly correct themselves. Also, if you suspect a particular deficit in knowledge that you ought to have, then you should spend time specifically on that issue to remedy the problem. You may need to do it right away if some specific moral choice looms on the horizon.