Why is anger a mortal sin?

[LeahInancsi]

When I look at an examination of conscience and see anger and impatience on the same level as abortion, murder, suicide and child abuse, it doesn’t add up. No wonder some people think there should be more people in line at confession.

When I get angry, I usually have a good reason and don’t get angry easily or very often. If I’m wrong, I always apologize, but sometimes a little outrage is necessary to make a point.

Just how angry is angry enough to be a mortal sin?

 

[steppenwolf1218]

According the Catechism of the Church, the anger that is denounced as a mortal sin is the hateful one. In #1866 the word wrath is used. In #2302 the anger to avoid is the murderous, hateful kind but is excepted in order to impose retribution. In #1765 it is the resistance to the sadness of evil (I could be reading that wrong). Other passages include God’s anger towards the Israelites, Cain and Abel and reference to Moses when God tells him that He is slow to anger. Also, it is listed under the different types of passions. These are the references to anger in Catechism. One famous example of anger that they don’t mention is Jesus’ anger in the Temple over the moneychangers, at least not as far as I’ve ever seen.

What this means is that anger is not in itself a mortal sin. If the anger proceeds to a point of being injurious to another either by physical force or vengeful spite then it is considered a mortal sin. The difference would be anger over the act and subsequent loss or damage to one’s self or one’s possession and anger directed towards the individual committing the act. It’s a twist on hate the sin and love the sinner. There is a difference between the anger showed by Jesus in the Temple and the anger showed towards Abel by Cain.

I hope that helps answer your question in some way.
Take care,
Dennis

 

[LeahInancsi]

Say I got angry at a store clerk for being a jerk and I let that person know I was angry. The incident went no further than that. I just won’t shop at that store again.

Do I need to hit the confessional on Saturday?

 

[Traditional_Ang]

When I look at an examination of conscience and see anger and impatience on the same level as abortion, murder, suicide and child abuse, it doesn’t add up. No wonder some people think there should be more people in line at confession.

When I get angry, I usually have a good reason and don’t get angry easily or very often. If I’m wrong, I always apologize, but sometimes a little outrage is necessary to make a point.

Just how angry is angry enough to be a mortal sin?

LeahInancsi:

St. Paul never said that Anger, per se, was a sin. in fact, what he said was, “Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.” Eph. 4:26-27 The Message

biblegateway.com/versions/?action=getVersionInfo&vid=65

And, St. James said, Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 RSV

etext.virginia.edu/rsv.browse.html

Galatians 5:19-26 NAB

*Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.*

vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/__P105.HTM

Here’s an examination of Conscience from someone I’ve found to be extremely trustworthy (I’ve been using an abbreviated version of this for the last couple of years):

Examination of Conscience
frpat.com/examen.htm

I think this will be better than the one you are using and won’t have the problem equating “anger” with murder.

I hope this helps.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

 

[Traditional_Ang]

Say I got angry at a store clerk for being a jerk and I let that person know I was angry. The incident went no further than that. I just won’t shop at that store again.

Do I need to hit the confessional on Saturday?

Leah:

If you blasted the poor guy so that you left him a quivering mass in the corner, YES. Otherwise, see my post above.

Most of us have some idea when we’ve gone over the line, or when we’re responding to “wounded pride” or to “We have rights too!” All of these are potentially sinful or are occasions for sin.

If you’re not sure, try the Examination of Conscience I linked in my previous post.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

 

[BLB_Oregon]

Jesus did say that if you call your brother a fool that you risk the fires of Gehenna. Still, I wonder…Are you possibly confusing “mortal sin” for “deadly sin” or “cardinal sin”?

The deadly sins are anger, greed, envy, sloth, lust, gluttony, and pride. These are not mortal sins every time one freely consents to them, but rather root sins that, once in place, ruin the life of the soul.

I have heard it said that deceit and fear could be added to the list.

 

[Damascus]

I am very curious to see your E.O.C. that puts anger at the level of abortion.
you must have some innovative stuff at your disposal.
I doubt it exists in reality, but makes for a good thread. Good for you.

 

[LeahInancsi]

I am very curious to see your E.O.C. that puts anger at the level of abortion.
you must have some innovative stuff at your disposal.
I doubt it exists in reality, but makes for a good thread. Good for you.

Examination of Conscience

I’m making the assumption that these are mortal sins as most of them obviously are. Lying is on the list with no elaboration as to ramifications and extent of the lie.

As a new Catholic, Confession has been the hardest thing for me to get a handle on. Everything else has been crystal clear.

 

[LeahInancsi]

Leah:

If you blasted the poor guy so that you left him a quivering mass in the corner, YES. Otherwise, see my post above.

No, this guy stood his ground quite well.

Thanks for the help and the links.

Leah

 

[Damascus]

Examination of Conscience

I’m making the assumption that these are mortal sins as most of them obviously are. Lying is on the list with no elaboration as to ramifications and extent of the lie.

As a new Catholic, Confession has been the hardest thing for me to get a handle on. Everything else has been crystal clear.

I see now. You are a new Catholic. Okay. Maybe you did not understand the list.

nowhere on this list does it mention these sins being on par with each other.

Your confessor should hear your sins if you are in doubt to the extent and ramifications of something.

But, I dont think you will find anger and abortion to be on the same level.

 

[baltobetsy]

Examination of Conscience

I’m making the assumption that these are mortal sins as most of them obviously are. Lying is on the list with no elaboration as to ramifications and extent of the lie.

As a new Catholic, Confession has been the hardest thing for me to get a handle on. Everything else has been crystal clear.

If you take a look at the section of the Examination of Conscience for the Sixth Commandment, it tells you that those sins, when committed with full knowledge and consent, are *all *mortal sins. This is to set this section apart from the rest of the exam, where some of the sins are mortal and some are venial.

*Don’t be afraid to use your common sense here. * That, too is a gift of God. You are very right to say it does not make sense to put anger on a par with murder in all cases. Likewise you would not equate taking a 19-cent Bic pen with stealing a diamond ring. Or a moment of impatience toward your elderly parents with neglecting their legitimate needs.

Some new Catholics seem to think that obedience requires them to leave their intelligence at the door when they come in. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Being part of the Church is not a complex game with hundreds of arbitrary and contradictory rules played under the watchful eye of God, waiting to snuff you out and send you to hell for the least mistake.

God is ultimately loving and reasonable. He knows you better than you know yourself - all your actions, all your motives - everything. And yet He continues to love you and do everything possible to save you. He does not make impossible demands.

As you mature in your Catholic faith, your conscience will be formed more completely, and things will begin to make much more sense to you. For now, when you go to confession, ask your priest to help you form your conscience so you can distinguish what is mortal (grave matter) from what is not.

Welcome home!
Betsy

 

[ElizabethPH]

I use a couple of EOC’s that are a little more specific. I have a little booklet. And also I found these links helpful as well; I’ve printed these out and refer to them often.

catholic-action.com/pages/refresh_mortal_sins.php
catholic.org/frz/examen/venial_main.htm

Elizabeth

 

[baltobetsy]

I use a couple of EOC’s that are a little more specific. I have a little booklet. And also I found these links helpful as well; I’ve printed these out and refer to them often.

catholic-action.com/pages/refresh_mortal_sins.php

Elizabeth, the first one contains two glaring errors that I am aware of.

Here is the first:
“Thus all Christians are bound to participate in the Mass, and must partake of the Eucharist at least on holy days of obligation. Deliberate failure to do this constitutes a grave sin.”

The duty to partake of the Eucharist is once a year during the Easter season, not on the holy days of obligation. If you check the reference to the CCC that is given (2181), it mentions only the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and days of obligation.

Here is the second:
“A poor beggar who steals a loaf of bread commits a less grave sin than a rich man who steals the savings of a destitute person.”

In fact, the poor beggar commits no sin at all, according the CCC, under the principle that no reasonable person would deny the beggar the bread. (See CCC 2408)

Although it appears very thorough and otherwise excellent, I would use that EOC with care, being sure to check out all the CCC references.

Betsy

 

[ElizabethPH]

Elizabeth, the first one contains two glaring errors that I am aware of.

Here is the first:
“Thus all Christians are bound to participate in the Mass, and must partake of the Eucharist at least on holy days of obligation. Deliberate failure to do this constitutes a grave sin.”

The duty to partake of the Eucharist is once a year during the Easter season, not on the holy days of obligation. If you check the reference to the CCC that is given (2181), it mentions only the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and days of obligation.

Here is the second:
“A poor beggar who steals a loaf of bread commits a less grave sin than a rich man who steals the savings of a destitute person.”

In fact, the poor beggar commits no sin at all, according the CCC, under the principle that no reasonable person would deny the beggar the bread. (See CCC 2408)

Although it appears very thorough and otherwise excellent, I would use that EOC with care, being sure to check out all the CCC references.

Betsy

Thanks for the corrections Betsy This is what my CCC 2181 says; “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.” Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin."

I understand the Sunday and HDO and Eucharistic obligation as you say. But when I went in and read CCC2181 it confused me.

And again I find myself getting off topic…and I apologize for that.

Elizabeth

 

[baltobetsy]

I understand the Sunday and HDO and Eucharistic obligation as you say. But when I went in and read CCC2181 it confused me.

A careful reading of the Examination of Conscience reveals a subtle but important difference from what the CCC says in that paragraph. The EOC says (incorrectly) you must partake of the Eucharist; the CCC says you must participate in the Sunday Eucharist.

To partake of the Eucharist means to receive. To participate in the Sunday Eucharist means to go to Mass. We are obligated to receive (partake) only once a year, although strongly urged to receive more frequently than that if we are properly disposed.

Hope this helps.

Betsy

 

[LeahInancsi]

*Don’t be afraid to use your common sense here. * That, too is a gift of God. You are very right to say it does not make sense to put anger on a par with murder in all cases. Likewise you would not equate taking a 19-cent Bic pen with stealing a diamond ring. Or a moment of impatience toward your elderly parents with neglecting their legitimate needs.

Some new Catholics seem to think that obedience requires them to leave their intelligence at the door when they come in. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Being part of the Church is not a complex game with hundreds of arbitrary and contradictory rules played under the watchful eye of God, waiting to snuff you out and send you to hell for the least mistake.

God is ultimately loving and reasonable. He knows you better than you know yourself - all your actions, all your motives - everything. And yet He continues to love you and do everything possible to save you. He does not make impossible demands.

As you mature in your Catholic faith, your conscience will be formed more completely, and things will begin to make much more sense to you. For now, when you go to confession, ask your priest to help you form your conscience so you can distinguish what is mortal (grave matter) from what is not.

Welcome home!
Betsy

Fortunately, I’m not one of those new Catholics who has left their intelligence at the door. Quite the contrary. When I read most, if not all, EOCs, I don’t see much in them that I’m doing wrong especially with knowledge that they are wrong. I’m no saint, but I don’t think you need to be to steer clear of most mortal sins when you’re 50 years old and your mother lives with you. She watches me closer than she did when I was a teenager.

Thank you for the “Welcome home.” I wish I had come Home a long time ago.

 

[aimee]

Fortunately, I’m not one of those new Catholics who has left their intelligence at the door. Quite the contrary. When I read most, if not all, EOCs, I don’t see much in them that I’m doing wrong especially with knowledge that they are wrong. I’m no saint, but I don’t think you need to be to steer clear of most mortal sins when you’re 50 years old and your mother lives with you. She watches me closer than she did when I was a teenager.

Thank you for the “Welcome home.” I wish I had come Home a long time ago.

Welcome home