In Catholic theology, for a sin to be considered mortal, three specific conditions must be met. These conditions are essential for understanding the gravity and consequences of mortal sin:
Grave Matter:
- The act itself must be of serious nature. Grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments and includes actions such as murder, adultery, theft, and bearing false witness.
- Examples of grave matter include but are not limited to: deliberate killing, sexual immorality, and significant acts of injustice like fraud or oppression.
Full Knowledge:
- The person committing the sin must be fully aware that what they are doing is gravely wrong.
- Full knowledge means understanding the sinful nature of the act and its opposition to God’s law and divine charity.
Deliberate Consent:
- The individual must freely choose to commit the act with deliberate and complete consent.
- This means that the person has the freedom to make the decision and is not acting under compulsion, coercion, or severe ignorance.
Summary
For a sin to be mortal:
- Grave Matter: The act must be of serious nature.
- Full Knowledge: The person must know the act is seriously wrong.
- Deliberate Consent: The person must freely choose to commit the act.
If any of these three conditions are not met, the sin is considered venial rather than mortal. Mortal sins are particularly serious as they result in the loss of sanctifying grace and require the Sacrament of Confession for reconciliation with God.
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