State of Mortal Sin

[Augustine3]

I went to confession yesterday and told the priest I’m in a state of mortal sin. The priest said I cannot be in a state of mortal sin because I seek the sacrament of confession. He said I’m rather in the state of serious sin. The only time s person is in mortal sin is when he does not desire God’s forgiveness. Was the priest right?

 

[Mary_Ellen]

I don’t believe so. I thought the state of serious, mortal, or grave sin were all the same thing. Nevertheless, if you were in a state of mortal sin - had committed a grave act with full knowledge and free will - you needed to be absolved of the sin.

Maybe he assumed you had made an act of perfect contrition and that lessened your state of sin? Still, you were required to seek the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

[Lormar]

I went to confession yesterday and told the priest I’m in a state of mortal sin. The priest said I cannot be in a state of mortal sin because I seek the sacrament of confession. He said I’m rather in the state of serious sin. The only time s person is in mortal sin is when he does not desire God’s forgiveness. Was the priest right?

I forget what that is called (fundamental option?) but that’s old nonsense that started in the sixties. I remember being told that by a priest in the nineties. I had never ever heard that before - something to the effect that the only way we sin mortally is if we make a conscious decision to reject God in our heart.
If you can, find another priest to go to confession.

 

[Elizium23]

Father Z recently covered the so-called “Fundamental Option” on his blog.

 

[RinoaHeartilly]

Sounds like he has mortal sin and unforgivable sin confused.

 

[Bookcat]

I don’t believe so. I thought the state of serious, mortal, or grave sin were all the same thing.

Bingo!

Correct.

Mortal sin, serious sin, grave sin, grevious sin, deadly sin…same sin.

State of mortal sin = state of serious sin.

 

[christus_vincit]

Bingo!

Correct.

Mortal sin, serious sin, grave sin, grevious sin, deadly sin…same sin.

State of mortal sin = state of serious sin.

Although, I think the term “mortal” sin more accurately describes the concept than just saying “serious” sin. “Mortal” meaning that we will indeed suffer death and separation from God if we do not repent. To me, saying “serious” sin implies that there is hope for salvation without repenting. Whereas saying “mortal” leaves no room for doubt that the life of grace in your soul has been cut off and must be restored by contrition and sacramental confession ASAP.

 

[Bookcat]

Although, I think the term “mortal” sin more accurately describes the concept than just saying “serious” sin. “Mortal” meaning that we will indeed suffer death and separation from God if we do not repent. To me, saying “serious” sin implies that there is hope for salvation without repenting. Whereas saying “mortal” leaves no room for doubt that the life of grace in your soul has been cut off and must be restored by contrition and sacramental confession ASAP.

The terms are synonyms.

They refer to the very same sin.

They bring different emphasis. As you note in using the term mortal -one is pointing out that effect.

Some are “better” used in some contexts than others.

Serious sin refers to mortal sin. One must repent of such for salvation.

Now it can happen that there is present “grave matter” but one has not the full knowledge and deliberate consent needed to commit a mortal sin (serious sin/grave sin) -and thus commits a venial sin. That is different.

So one can say such and such “is a serious sin” (mortal sin/grave sin) but I did not give complete consent etc – so I thankfully I committed a venial sin not a serious sin *(not that it was good I sinned of course).

(I like to use “grave matter” for it brings out that the matter is only one aspect).

---

But getting back to the post – a state of mortal sin is the same as a state of serious sin.

 

[christus_vincit]

The terms are synonyms.

They refer to the very same sin.

They bring different emphasis. As you note in using the term mortal -one is pointing out that effect.

Some are “better” used in some contexts than others.

Serious sin refers to mortal sin. One must repent of such for salvation.

Now it can happen that there is present “grave matter” but one has not the full knowledge and deliberate consent needed to commit a mortal sin (serious sin/grave sin) -and thus commits a venial sin. That is different.

So one can say such and such “is a serious sin” (mortal sin/grave sin) but I did not give complete consent etc – so I thankfully I committed a venial sin not a serious sin *(not that it was good I sinned of course).

(I like to use “grave matter” for it brings out that the matter is only one aspect).

---

But getting back to the post – a state of mortal sin is the same as a state of serious sin.

That makes sense. I was just reading one of your older posts about this topic, it was very helpful.

 

[LegoGE1947]

I went to confession yesterday and told the priest I’m in a state of mortal sin. The priest said I cannot be in a state of mortal sin because I seek the sacrament of confession. He said I’m rather in the state of serious sin. The only time s person is in mortal sin is when he does not desire God’s forgiveness. Was the priest right?

Isn’t that state next to the state of Illinois?

 

[Vico]

I went to confession yesterday and told the priest I’m in a state of mortal sin. The priest said I cannot be in a state of mortal sin because I seek the sacrament of confession. He said I’m rather in the state of serious sin. The only time s person is in mortal sin is when he does not desire God’s forgiveness. Was the priest right?

Baltimore Catechism No. 3Q. 594. Why are Baptism and Penance called Sacraments of the dead?

A. Baptism and Penance are called Sacraments of the dead because they take away sin, which is the death of the soul, and give grace, which is its life.
Q. 597. What do we mean by Sacraments of the dead and Sacraments of the living?

A. By the Sacraments of the dead we mean those Sacraments that may be lawfully received while the soul is in a state of mortal sin. By the Sacraments of the living we mean those Sacraments that can be lawfully received only while the soul is in a state of grace – i. e. , free from mortal sin. Living and dead do not refer here to the persons, but to the condition of the souls; for none of the Sacraments can be given to a dead person.

Q. 766. When will perfect contrition obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance?

A. Perfect contrition will obtain pardon for mortal sin without the Sacrament of Penance when we cannot go to confession, but with the perfect contrition we must have the intention of going to confession as soon as possible, if we again have the opportunity.

Q. 767. What is imperfect contrition?

A. Imperfect contrition is that by which we hate what offends God because by it we lose heaven and deserve hell; or because sin is so hateful in itself.

Q. 768. What other name is given to imperfect contrition and why is it called imperfect?

A. Imperfect contrition is called attrition. It is called imperfect only because it is less perfect than the highest grade of contrition by which we are sorry for sin out of pure love of God’s own goodness and without any consideration of what befalls ourselves.