Expert: Edward Bode - 6/8/2009

Question
Hi there,
My question is this:
According to Catholic theology/doctrine, is it better to characterize Original Sin as a particular mark or disease in that it is 'carried' within a person, or is it more like a disorder that is exterior to a person that that person is subject to? And if it can be thought of as 'within a person,' would one say that it is in the body, the soul, or both? (And what might be the motivation for thinking one as opposed to the other.)

Thank you very much in advance, for answering this question for me.

Answer
Original sin basically involves persons lacking sanctifying grace [that God had given to Adam].  As concerns grace, we are in aa fallen state.  [Original sin does not involve our own choice as personal sins do.]  
Since we lack God's grace, it affects our soul -- the soul lacks that special gift.  However, one of the consequences of original sin is that we now have to struggle against inclinations to sin.  So, one could say that the consequences of original sin also affect the our body, in the sense of our bodily appetites.
For further details, I urge you to read The Catechism of the Catholic Church, especially paragraphs 388-390, 396-409,417-418; the catechism is available online at:
usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
If you would like more from me, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes, Tyler.