Mortal Sin vs. Venial Sin

Attribute	Mortal Sin	Venial Sin
Definition	A grave sin that destroys the life of grace in the soul	A less serious sin that does not destroy the life of grace in the soul
Consequences	Results in eternal separation from God if not repented	Can be forgiven through acts of contrition and penance
Examples	Murder, adultery, blasphemy	Lying, gossiping, minor theft
Intent	Committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent	Committed without full knowledge or deliberate consent

Definition

Mortal sin and venial sin are two categories of sin in Catholic theology. Mortal sin is considered a grave offense against God's law, leading to a complete separation from God's grace. Venial sin, on the other hand, is a less serious offense that does not result in a complete separation from God's grace.

Severity

Mortal sin is considered to be the most serious type of sin, as it involves a deliberate choice to turn away from God and His commandments. It is believed to destroy the life of grace in the soul and can lead to eternal damnation if not repented of before death. Venial sin, on the other hand, is seen as a less serious offense that does not completely cut off the individual from God's grace.

Criteria

According to Catholic teaching, for a sin to be considered mortal, it must meet three criteria: it must be a grave matter, the person must have full knowledge of the sinfulness of the act, and the person must give full consent to committing the sin. Venial sins, on the other hand, do not meet all three of these criteria and are considered less serious in nature.

Effects

Mortal sin has serious consequences for the soul, as it severs the individual's relationship with God and can lead to eternal damnation. It is believed that mortal sin must be confessed and repented of in order to be forgiven and restored to a state of grace. Venial sin, on the other hand, does not have the same devastating effects on the soul and can be forgiven through acts of contrition and prayer.

Examples

Examples of mortal sins include murder, adultery, and blasphemy, as these offenses are considered to be grave matters that go against the Ten Commandments. Venial sins, on the other hand, may include gossip, white lies, and minor acts of selfishness that do not completely separate the individual from God's grace.

Confession

In the Catholic Church, mortal sins are required to be confessed in the sacrament of reconciliation in order to receive absolution and be reconciled with God. Venial sins, on the other hand, are not required to be confessed in the sacrament of reconciliation, but it is still recommended to confess them in order to receive God's grace and strengthen one's relationship with Him.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mortal sin and venial sin are two distinct categories of sin in Catholic theology, with mortal sin being the more serious offense that severs the individual's relationship with God and can lead to eternal damnation. Venial sin, on the other hand, is a less serious offense that does not completely cut off the individual from God's grace. Both types of sin require repentance and forgiveness in order to be reconciled with God and receive His grace.