Question about breaking a contract

[renepape]

I know one is supposed to keep strictly a contract. But does the gravity of breaking a contract depend on what kind of contract? For instance, if I were to break, say, a cellphone contract, that wouldn’t be seriously sinful would it? Does it depend on the content of the contract, and the harm that is done by breaking it? Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut, everyone.

 

[Catholic90]

I know one is supposed to keep strictly a contract. But does the gravity of breaking a contract depend on what kind of contract? For instance, if I were to break, say, a cellphone contract, that wouldn’t be seriously sinful would it? Does it depend on the content of the contract, and the harm that is done by breaking it? Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut, everyone.

Breaking a cell phone contract is not a sin, but it will cost you! It can be pretty expensive to break those.

 

[Newbie2]

Such contracts have penalties for breaking them…an “out”, if you will. The phone companies make money either way.

But if one breaks a contract and doesn’t make recompense for damage done to the other party…that’s a sin.

Different story if the contract is mutually voided. I assume that’s not what the OP had in mind.

 

[06convert]

Yeah, unless the contract is bound by God like a marriage. There is no sin in breaking it.

All contracts have 2 methods of being resolved, a way to be fulfilled and a way to get out, i.e. an escape clause. Each method has certain requirements to be resolved. Either method seperates you legally and morally.

As long as the contract is satisfied by one method or another your are fine.

 

[wcknight]

Something like a cell phone contract, I would not consider a moral issue. Some other promises or informal contracts (or even formal contracts), like a cotract to perform some work for a fee or like giving your word to do (or not do) something I would consider a bit more serious.

I consider giving my word as morally binding. I would not make a promise that I could not keep. I think it’s a matter of integrity. Either you are trustworthy and good to your word or you are not.

IF you promise to keep a secret then I think you are morally bound to do so. UNLESS the are some over riding need to do so (say emergency or more important other obligation), I would keep to my word.

As far as the cell phone contract, there may be some consequences to breaking those. IF you can afford to meet those consequences and/or you think you are better off breaking that contract, then go ahead.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I think that in contracts such as the cell phone the fee is not a penalty for breaking the contract, but the charge for buying your way out. It is considered a legitimate way to terminate the contract.

 

[renepape]

Well, I don’t mean just cell phone contracts. I mean other kinds of contracts, would their gravity depend on the content? And would the gravity of a breaking of the contract depend on the harm that is done by doing so? The Catechism mentions that contracts must be strictly observed, so I was wondering how to understand that.

 

[Newbie2]

Well, I don’t mean just cell phone contracts. I mean other kinds of contracts, would their gravity depend on the content? And would the gravity of a breaking of the contract depend on the harm that is done by doing so? The Catechism mentions that contracts must be strictly observed, so I was wondering how to understand that.

One way of determining that would be if one could negotiate one’s way out of a contract, or as has been said, if the contract has some sort of a “buy out” penalty or option. Most good contracts have a penalty that is agreed upon if one party does not fullfil their obligation. At the same time, many contracts have a provision to terminate the contract upon mutual agreement.

What the CCC adresses in a contract is the aspect that your agreement is your word. You agree to do something. Backing out for no good reason is akin to lying, and if not purposefully fulfilling your part of the bargin injures the other party, it is similar to stealing from them or intentionally causing them financial or other type of harm.

If you are unable to fulfill your part of the bargin, for reasons outside your control, you are still obligated to do your best to minimize impact on the other party.

Let’s say you have a contract with a supplier for your business and your business fails. You don’t have any money to pay your supplier and buy the rest of the stuff you committed to buy under a contract. Not buying the rest of the stuff that you can’t pay for isn’t problematic. Not returning your unused inventory to them would be.

So, I guess it’s not so much the content of the contract as much as it’s your intention to fulfill it. If you lose your source of income and can’t fulfill the contract, it’s not your intention not to fulfill it, but if you just one day decide that you change your mind and don’t want to honor your agreement, therin lies the problem.