Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:24 am Post subject: Mortal sin/doubtful mortal sin/being scrupulous
For anyone who has the time, I'd just like some clarification on the following:
1) I understand that to commit a mortal sin, the matter must be serious in itself, you must have full knowledge of this, and you must freely consent to the act.
Am I correct in saying that if one erroniously thinks something is of grevious matter, and willfully does it, he is guilty of mortal sin because he willed to offend God greviously?
2) If you are not sure if something is mortally sinful, yet you do it anyway, do you commit a mortal sin? Does ''not being sure'' mean the ''full knowledge'' prerequisite is not fulfilled? What if you were to make a promise to God that if you knew for sure it was mortally sinful, you would never had done it?
3) I fear that I may be being a bit over-anxious and scrupulous with regard to sin. Is there an article which outlines the ways to determine if you are being scrupulous?
4) My catechism (''My Catholic Faith'', written in 1950s by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow), says that if one is in the state of doubt with regard to his state of grace (not being sure that you have committed a mortal sin) you can still receive communion. This is true no?
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: Mortal sin/doubtful mortal sin/being scrupulous
Hirsap wrote:
For anyone who has the time, I'd just like some clarification on the following:
1) I understand that to commit a mortal sin, the matter must be serious in itself, you must have full knowledge of this, and you must freely consent to the act.
Am I correct in saying that if one erroniously thinks something is of grevious matter, and willfully does it, he is guilty of mortal sin because he willed to offend God greviously?
That is correct.
Quote:
2) If you are not sure if something is mortally sinful, yet you do it anyway, do you commit a mortal sin? Does ''not being sure'' mean the ''full knowledge'' prerequisite is not fulfilled? What if you were to make a promise to God that if you knew for sure it was mortally sinful, you would never had done it?
There are several considerations here.
The lack of knowledge must not be the result of willful and culpable ignorance, that could easily be rectified. Of course a layman is not expected to have the same knowledge as one with a doctorate in Moral Theology, but he will be held responsible for not knowing what he could easily find out.
Then we must distinguish between a speculative and a practical doubt. A speculative doubt refers to the nature of an action in general, whereas a practical doubt refers to the nature of an action in the here and now.
Generally moral theologians hold (cf. Fr. Heribert Jone) that if there are serious and weighty reasons that would make an action in general not a sin, or only a venial sin, such that such an opinion becomes what is known as a probable opinion (supported by weighty, objective evidence and reasoning) then one may use the more lenient opinion on the matter.
However, in the practical order one must act with a certain conscience. Note that a practical certainty can coexist with a speculative doubt; e.g. when one is using a more lenient opinion. But the classic example is firing on an object not seen clearly, not knowing whether it is a deer or a man. One certainly sins mortally by so acting.
Quote:
3) I fear that I may be being a bit over-anxious and scrupulous with regard to sin. Is there an article which outlines the ways to determine if you are being scrupulous?
I can't think of one offhand but I'm sure they exist. Typically a scrupulous person is always fearful of committing sin, and is always fearful his confessions are bad, and so on. It usually arises from a nervous kind of temperament, and sometimes from too much trust in self and not enough trust in God.
Quote:
4) My catechism (''My Catholic Faith'', written in 1950s by Bishop Louis LaRavoire Morrow), says that if one is in the state of doubt with regard to his state of grace (not being sure that you have committed a mortal sin) you can still receive communion. This is true no?
This is true. One would have to have a moral certainty of being in the state of mortal sin before staying away. It's impossible to be certain that one is in the state of grace; we can't see our souls like God does.
In general, be resolved to die rather than commit a known mortal sin; or, having committed one, be resolved to immediately seek forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance and have perfect contrition. But then, one must have trust in the Infinite Love and Mercy of God.
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:40 am Post subject: mortal sin
"Full consent of the will" is another serious concern. If one hsitates or attempts to resist commiting an act known to be mortally sinful, however slightly, such as out of habit, the act is probably reduced to venial sin. THis is not to say one should be overly lax in making this choice, especially a sin done spontaneously without adequate time to reflect on what one is doing. Moral thoelogians have stated that as long as one does not fully consent to the act thorough free will, the gravity of the sin is (or may be) diminished.
But when in doubt a good confessor will provide guidance. One should not immediately think oneself in the clear. Of course an act of contrition said daily is always a good practice. If one has any doubts about this, they should refrain from communion until making confession.
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