A Structured List of Mortal Sins in Catholic Moral Theology
In Catholic teaching, a sin is mortal when it involves: The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law.” — CCC 1855 Below is a structured list of acts traditionally recognized as grave matter that can constitute mortal sin when committed […]
For Those Considering a Vasectomy
©2011 Victor R. Claveau, MJ — Expanded Theological Treatment Introduction A few years ago, I was asked to conduct 35-weekly sessions based upon the foundations of Catholic theology. During the second session, a participant asked me to explain the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception. At the time I hesitated to do so as I had […]
THE STORY OF RAYMOND DIOCRES
Raymond Diocres, a professor at the Sorbonne, and a man with a universal reputation for learning and apparent virtue, died in Paris. Three days later, his coffin, beautifully adorned with the symbols of his profession, was brought into the cathedral with solemnity, accompanied by his fellow professors, by a large group of students and many […]
Premarital Relations
What is so wrong about supporting Christian moral principles? Premarital relations have become so common in some segments of Western society that Christian teaching on its sinfulness is a scandal to some defendants of contemporary morality. Like contraception, however, fornication as the voluntary sexual intercourse between unmarried persons was forbidden to the followers of Christ […]
CONTRACEPTION … IS IT ALWAYS WRONG?
We refer this delicate question also to the prudent consideration of those who are competent. Here we only touch upon it to remind you that any act, willfully malicious, which tends to deprive the conjugal union of its reproductive power is gravely culpable. This is an especially demanding element of God’s law. Married couples should […]
What is Sin?
Sin is an offense against reason, truth, and right conscience; it is failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods. It wounds the nature of man and injures human solidarity. It has been defined as “an utterance, a deed, or a desire contrary to the eternal law” […]
Sins Crying to Heaven for Vengeance
See CCC §1867 Willful murder (Genesis 4:10) The sin of Sodom or homosexual acts (Genesis 18:20) Oppression of the poor (Exodus 2:23) Defrauding laborers of their wages (James 5:4). © Evangelization Station, 2010
Sins against the Holy Spirit
See CCC §1864 Sins against the Holy Spirit are major offenses that carry a stubborn resistance to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit and a contempt of his gifts. The traditional list of sins against the Holy Spirit was drawn from various works of Saint Augustine: Presumption. They are despair of one’s salvation, envy of […]
The Sin of Presumption
There are two kinds of presumption. Either man presumes upon his own capacities, hoping to be able to save himself without help from on high), or he presumes upon God’s almighty power or his mercy, hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit. (CCC 2092). © Evangelization Station, 2025
Mortal and Venial Sins
See CCC §1855-9 Sins are rightly evaluated according to their gravity. The distinction between mortal and venial sin, already evident in the Scripture; became part of the apostolic tradition of the Church. It is corroborated by human experience. Mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of the sinner. It requires a new initiative of God’ […]