When is anger Mortal?

[brand0c0mmand0]

You let stress and fear overwhelm you, you have a blow up and a temper tantrum in your car, even yelling at God…even going as far as to ask Him to just strike you down already…when is one bound to confession due to anger? am I safe to recieve a weekday Communion? Not many Churches in my parish do weekday confessions I don’t think…

 

[karebear92]

2302 By recalling the commandment, "You shall not kill,"93 our Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral.
Anger is a desire for revenge. “To desire vengeance in order to do evil to someone who should be punished is illicit,” but it is praiseworthy to impose restitution "to correct vices and maintain justice."94 If anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin. the Lord says, "Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment."95

2303 Deliberate hatred is contrary to charity. Hatred of the neighbor is a sin when one deliberately wishes him evil. Hatred of the neighbor is a grave sin when one deliberately desires him grave harm. "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."96

I am not certain if it is a mortal sin or not, but the above quotation is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church from the Vatican website. It may be a matter that is best addressed by a priest. Most parishes (at least around here) will allow you to call and set up an appointment for confession or to meet with a priest. I would advise you do that in this situation, but others may be able to give you more advice or a better answer. Most of them have much more knowledge and experience than I do.

God bless!

 

[flower_lady]

Mortal sin is when you contemplate on what you are saying or doing. If you say something or do something and have thought it through, then it is a mortal sin. If you do something or think something without contemplating on it is is venial sin.

 

[Bookcat]

The Catechism quote gives the basics above (the CCC of course is not meant to be exhaustive)…when it contrary to seriously Charity …like you want to serious hurt someone or kill them…

…or when it leads to serious injustice or blasphemy, serious scandal etc

Also In terms of immoderate outbursts…such can often be venial sin…though if a person were to deliberately go into such a rage that it they can be considered to have lost their reason…then it is a different story.

I imagine more could be said …

But remember too…that especially with outbursts…even if there is grave matter…one must also have the knowledge and deliberate consent…

As to if one actually committed mortal sin…one has to examine according to the criteria:

Compendium --issued by Pope Benedict XVI

1. When does one commit a mortal sin?

1855-1861
1874

One commits a mortal sin when there are simultaneously present: grave matter, full knowledge, and deliberate consent. This sin destroys charity in us, deprives us of sanctifying grace, and, if unrepented, leads us to the eternal death of hell. It can be forgiven in the ordinary way by means of the sacraments of Baptism and of Penance or Reconciliation.

1. When does one commit a venial sin?

1862-1864
1875

One commits a venial sin, which is essentially different from a mortal sin, when the matter involved is less serious or, even if it is grave, when full knowledge or complete consent are absent. Venial sin does not break the covenant with God but it weakens charity and manifests a disordered affection for created goods. It impedes the progress of a soul in the exercise of the virtues and in the practice of moral good. It merits temporal punishment which purifies.

vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

 

[Spencerian]

To go with other’s posts and notes from the Catechism:

I’m learning a practical method to determining whether to receive the holy Eucharist after a bout of anger (or pondering any negative behavior that leads to sin):

1. Apply the three rules for mortal sin. If the behavior fits, I defer communion and go to Confession.

If the behavior is not mortal, I consider it a possible venial sin and apply these questions to myself:

1. If I anger someone, have I apologized and tried to make amends?
2. If I am angered or frustrated, have I yet forgiven the person who angered me? (I should not take communion in this state until I have forgiven the person)
3. Am I still filled with that anger when I attend Mass? (I do not partake in the Eucharist during that time until I am free of anger)
4. Have I made a sufficient act of contrition for venial sins after forgiveness is given or received (Of course, this can be done at the start of Mass and as part of the Eucharist)
5. With confessed sins that I continually fight against, do I make fewer digressions since the last confession (Have I improved my behavior or not?)

These are questions I put myself to the test against. When I flunk a majority of these self-tests, I know that confession is a must before receiving again. Such questions for me prevent over-analyzing my behavior yet prevents me from giving myself an excuse to repeatedly behave poorly.

Your mileage may vary. If you have doubts, stick to teachings of the Catechism, the Magisterium and your parish priest.