The three conditions of a mortal sin with a twist

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I am a recovering sex addict (masturbation), I know all about the 3 conditions need ed for a sin to be mortal. Catechism number 2352 (last paragraph), gives an example of how someone addicted may only be committing a venile sin. I belong to a Catholic support group for sexual addictions and I kinda get the feeling like something is not right with them. I get comments like, God won’t send an addicted person to hell or we are judged on how hard we try, or if we are addicted it’s not a mortal sin. I have a couple of questions:
  1. How do we know if we are addicted or not?
  2. If we are addicted how is catechism #2352 applied to us?
    I’d like to take back any info back to the group that would be helpful. To me sin is sin, addicted or not, or am I incorrect? I get the impression that some people in the group use this catechism number as an excuse to keep sinning, but I keep coming back to that same question, How do we really, truely know if we are addicted? Thanks everyone!
 
The “beauty” of moral theology is that there is recognition that there are “shades of grey” – not everything is totally “black and white.”

It was explained to me many years ago, before I had ever even considered studying psychology, that certain behaviors under certain conditions may be considered to be “compulsive”. It doesn’t excuse the behaviors, but it does explain them, in part, to a certain extent.

The three conditions, for example [serious subject, full knowledge, and full consent of the will], can under some circumstances be not fully present… particularly full consent of the will. [Do you fully intend to insult God, the INFINITE, your Creator?] [On the other hand, we don’t want to deliberately commit a mortal sin and then explain it away in some facile casual sort of way.] It’s a fine line and we need to recognize what is going on inside.

I don’t want to get into the details and nuances of the “act” you are talking about, but you need to develop an understanding of what “full consent” really means.

This is not to excuse the behavior, but if full consent is not there, then perhaps it’s not a mortal sin… So, what is the definition of “full consent” and how does “compulsive” behavior differ from “full consent” behavior.

First, do some Google research and do some homework on “compulsive behavior”. At the same time, extend the search and homework to include “obsessive thoughts”.

Second, get rid of any “near occasions of sin”, for example, any kind of magazine (pornographic or other) that may provide some material assistance in the “act”.

Third, cultivate the habit of not merely daily Mass or daily prayer, but CONTINUOUS prayer… to Mary, to Jesus, to St. Joseph, to your patron or name saints, to any other saints that may appeal to you whoever they may be. To the angels, to your guardian angel.

Continuous prayer is when you are simply walking down the hallway, or laying in bed, or at a stop light, or in a supermarket checkout line. Say silent Hail Mary’s. Or any other prayer. Hail Marys are my favorites because they are so automatic.

If you have some money, buy a copy of “Difficult Moral Questions - Volume 3” by Germain Grisez. It is referred to in some of my other posts. The publisher has them available. It’s worth a read, not so much for the answers to specific questions, but for the “VARIETY” of discussion points and the huge constellation of approaches to difficult and cumbersome problems and issues that concern people on a daily basis.

Finally, if you do commit a sin, immediately say an Act of Contrition. When you can, do a Holy Hour before the Exposed Blessed Sacrament. And specicifically request some understanding of God’s essential nature so that when you are sorry, that you can bring PERFECT contrition to the prayer.
 
This person is right on.
Al Masetti:
The “beauty” of moral theology is that there is recognition that there are “shades of grey” – not everything is totally “black and white.”

It was explained to me many years ago, before I had ever even considered studying psychology, that certain behaviors under certain conditions may be considered to be “compulsive”. It doesn’t excuse the behaviors, but it does explain them, in part, to a certain extent.

The three conditions, for example [serious subject, full knowledge, and full consent of the will], can under some circumstances be not fully present… particularly full consent of the will. [Do you fully intend to insult God, the INFINITE, your Creator?] [On the other hand, we don’t want to deliberately commit a mortal sin and then explain it away in some facile casual sort of way.] It’s a fine line and we need to recognize what is going on inside.

I don’t want to get into the details and nuances of the “act” you are talking about, but you need to develop an understanding of what “full consent” really means.

This is not to excuse the behavior, but if full consent is not there, then perhaps it’s not a mortal sin… So, what is the definition of “full consent” and how does “compulsive” behavior differ from “full consent” behavior.

First, do some Google research and do some homework on “compulsive behavior”. At the same time, extend the search and homework to include “obsessive thoughts”.

Second, get rid of any “near occasions of sin”, for example, any kind of magazine (pornographic or other) that may provide some material assistance in the “act”.

Third, cultivate the habit of not merely daily Mass or daily prayer, but CONTINUOUS prayer… to Mary, to Jesus, to St. Joseph, to your patron or name saints, to any other saints that may appeal to you whoever they may be. To the angels, to your guardian angel.

Continuous prayer is when you are simply walking down the hallway, or laying in bed, or at a stop light, or in a supermarket checkout line. Say silent Hail Mary’s. Or any other prayer. Hail Marys are my favorites because they are so automatic.

If you have some money, buy a copy of “Difficult Moral Questions - Volume 3” by Germain Grisez. It is referred to in some of my other posts. The publisher has them available. It’s worth a read, not so much for the answers to specific questions, but for the “VARIETY” of discussion points and the huge constellation of approaches to difficult and cumbersome problems and issues that concern people on a daily basis.

Finally, if you do commit a sin, immediately say an Act of Contrition. When you can, do a Holy Hour before the Exposed Blessed Sacrament. And specicifically request some understanding of God’s essential nature so that when you are sorry, that you can bring PERFECT contrition to the prayer.
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The sin of which you speak, from what I know, is more a sin of selfishness than anything else. This is usually a venial offence, esp. when one did not seek it.

It becomes mortal when one, for the sake of wishing to indulge oneself, actively seeks it, knowing the full nature of the sin.

Judging by the fact that you posted here asking advice about it, I should think that you are not in mortal sin, as, quite obviously, you do not wish to commit the sin, thereby negating one of the three conditions.

Rest easy, and may God Bless.
 
it is true that one’s culpability may be mitigated by force of habit, but this isn’t a conclusion we should presume to draw for ourselves without the help of an orthodox confessor. and even so, if we commit a sin which, objectively, is mortal, we should confess no matter what. even if we end up confessing every week. the grace of the sacrament can only help.
 
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Shameless:
How do we really, truely know if we are addicted? Thanks everyone!
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If you cannot stay stopped, that’s a good sign that you’re an addict but ultimately you are the only one who can say for sure.

I discussed this with my confessor, and his kind guidance helped me tremendously, but he knew my story, what I was trying to do to get better, and he had an understanding of the nature of addiction, as well as a complete undertanding of the sacraments and the teaching of the Church.

It does get better and being open and honest about your struggles with your confession helps.

(I agree, Al Masetti is right on with his comments!)

🙂
 
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Shameless:
I am a recovering sex addict (masturbation), I know all about the 3 conditions need ed for a sin to be mortal. Catechism number 2352 (last paragraph), gives an example of how someone addicted may only be committing a venile sin. I belong to a Catholic support group for sexual addictions and I kinda get the feeling like something is not right with them. I get comments like, God won’t send an addicted person to hell or we are judged on how hard we try, or if we are addicted it’s not a mortal sin. I have a couple of questions:
  1. How do we know if we are addicted or not?
  2. If we are addicted how is catechism #2352 applied to us?
    I’d like to take back any info back to the group that would be helpful. To me sin is sin, addicted or not, or am I incorrect? I get the impression that some people in the group use this catechism number as an excuse to keep sinning, but I keep coming back to that same question, How do we really, truely know if we are addicted? Thanks everyone!
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This is why you must bind yourself in obedience to a good orthodox Spiritual Director/Confessor. He will help you to know for sure. But you must do exactly what he says because when is addicted to something like masturbation, one usually cannot make good decisions for one’s self concerning such a matter.
 
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