Sunday mass obligation and "mortal sin"

[Kathrin]

I had a discussion with a friend who claimed missing mass on Sunday was a sin, but not a mortal sin. Since he had previously studied theology (didn’t finish) I wonder how he got to this conclusion. I always thought it was indeed a “mortal sin” to miss Sunday mass knowlingly and without reason.

I write this in quotes because I know we are never to judge if something is indeed a mortal sin, as in every individual case a lot of factors play a role that influence the severity of a sin. But in any case, as far as I have come to understand and learn, missing mass on Sunday, if there is no valid reason to do so, is indeed a grave sin, and as such has the potential (if done willingly and with full consciousness) to be a mortal sin.

I also heard the same argument about premarital sex before. Namely, that only things like killing somebody are mortal sins but premarital sex was just a “sin”. Here too I had to disagree; as I would say it is really a very severe, grave sin.

Maybe my main question is: Does anybody have a link or something or a simple argument that I can use to help explain this to my friend?

Thanks

Kathrin

 

[TheMc]

I had a discussion with a friend who claimed missing mass on Sunday was a sin, but not a mortal sin. Since he had previously studied theology (didn’t finish) I wonder how he got to this conclusion. I always thought it was indeed a “mortal sin” to miss Sunday mass knowlingly and without reason.

I write this in quotes because I know we are never to judge if something is indeed a mortal sin, as in every individual case a lot of factors play a role that influence the severity of a sin. But in any case, as far as I have come to understand and learn, missing mass on Sunday, if there is no valid reason to do so, is indeed a grave sin, and as such has the potential (if done willingly and with full consciousness) to be a mortal sin.

I also heard the same argument about premarital sex before. Namely, that only things like killing somebody are mortal sins but premarital sex was just a “sin”. Here too I had to disagree; as I would say it is really a very severe, grave sin.

Maybe my main question is: Does anybody have a link or something or a simple argument that I can use to help explain this to my friend?

Thanks

Kathrin

Missing Mass on Sunday is a grave sin, which is also a mortal sin if the person is aware of it’s gravity, and does it freely.

 

[St_Francis]

We are permitted to judge actions, for example, we are permitted to say the this act is a mortal sin. What we are not permitted to do is to say, So-and-so committed this sin so he has mortal sin on his soul and is going to Hell. Only God can judge the state of someone’s soul.

As to proof, what would your friends accept as proof?

 

[Bookcat]

Missing Mass on Sunday is a grave sin, which is also a mortal sin if the person is aware of it’s gravity, and does it freely.

grave sin =mortal sin= serious sin

all are the same…they are terms used interchangablly by the Church

 

[Bookcat]

You are correct it is a mortal sin (grave sin, serious sin…all the same meaning).

Catechism:

2181 The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.